FatshoRE redesigned the light system for a Pagoda in Myanmar FatshoRE completed the construction of the solar-powered lightening system for the Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda, in Kalaywa Tawyakyaung Temple in Myanmar. After the completion of the construction, the Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda will become the first pagoda in Myanmar, which joined the era of renewable energy. In October 2013, one anonymous man from Thailand asked FatshoRE to change the lightening system of the Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda, from the conventional power system to solar energy system. FatshoRE's team had no hesitation to redeem the needs of the temple. The team decided to participate in this project and studied about the solutions for the temple. Journey begins The team spent 5 days to design the new system on computer. After the design process was completed, one Thai Buddhist layman made his final decision to be the key financial sponsor of the solar panel installation for the Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda (In Burmese language, it means Pagoda of the Naga's Cave ; Naga is the godly serpent in the Indian mythology). Four days before the journey to Myanmar began; the final decision came up in his mind. FatshoRE's first project in Myanmar had a time conflict with their development of solar-powered advertisement sign. But, at the end of the day, the team figured out how to manage their time to complete the construction of 2 big-scaled projects within one month. So, the team had had only 3 days to prepare all equipment and electricity devices, before their trip to Myanmar began in the night of 12 th November 2013. In the morning of the next day, they passed Mae Sot Border Crossing Point, in Tak Province of Thailand. One hour later, they entered to Myawaddy, the border town in the Southeast of Myanmar, next to the Thailand's district of Mae Sot. Beyond the Border The distance from Myawaddy to Yangon is 437 kilometres, but the driving took more than 10 hours, because of the mountainous territory and the highway checkpoints. So, at 02.00 am, on 14 th November 2013, the team arrived at Yoma Hotel at Boyoke Aungsan Street, in Yangon. The team consisted of the sponsor, and two staffs from FatshoRE. In the morning of next day, the team headed to Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda. The team found that the Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda was closed to International Theravâda Buddhist Missionary University. And those two places are sharing the same town called Mayangon Township. Finally, a Karen driver took us to the Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda. Now, the FatshoRE's project on solar-powered spotlights in Myanmar began. 1
Building, Friendship, and Testing With the help from the Burmese laymen and Burmese monks residing at Kalaywa Tawyakyaung Temple, construction took 2 and a half day of 16 th November to complete all structure and electricity wiring. Testing of the spotlights and spotlight location was a necessary step in the whole construction process. FatshoRE's team designed that the four 250-watt solar panels could generate electricity enough for the three 100-watt spotlights. During the time of construction, two Burmese laymen, who did not work much on the solar cell installation, bought foods for FatshoRE's teams, while six Burmese teenagers residing in the temple carried the solar panels and equipment to the foundation of the pagoda. The six Burmese teenagers drilled holes and put the bolts and nuts to hold the solar panels with the mounting kit, while three Burmese monks and two Burmese teenagers worked on placing the spotlights. After switching on the lights in order to test the brightness, one 100-watt LED spotlight can shine the light within the distance of 20 meter, and can make the yellowness of the pagoda shine in the dark night again. Time of Project Handover On the date of 16 th November 2013, in Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda, the project handover ceremony for solar-powered spotlights will use the electricity switch, instead of ribbon cutting. At 19.00 pm, General Chetta Thanajaro, the former-commander of Royal Thai Army, and the Chairman of Thai-Myanmar Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association, were invited to join the event of project handover. The receiver of this project was Abbott Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa, the Presiding Monk of Kalaywa Tawya Sarthintaik Monastic Education Centre, and Kalaywa Tawya Temple. As the event had been planned, General Chetta Thanajaro switched on the three 100-watt LED spotlights installed on the base of pagoda. Immediately, the lights shined from spotlights to the pagoda. When the monks, nuns, and novices, in total about 40 people, uttered SADHU (Buddhist equivalent of AMEN in Christianity), it was the clear evidence that the handover ceremony was completed. The ownership of spotlights was handed over to the Kalaywa Tawya Temple. After the project was completed, the financial sponsor and two staffs of FatshoRE went back to Thailand with happy smiles, and joyful tears. From the date of 16 th November 2013, the light still shines on the pagoda, while the friendship between the Burmese laymen, and monks from the temple and three Thai people from FatshoRE's team still imprint on the heart of everyone involved in this project. 2
Picture 1: Mountain range becomes a natural barrier at the border between Myanmar and Thailand. Picture 2: Naga Hlaing Gu Pagoda is standing on the foundation, but the top of the foundation of the pagoda is the roof of the ground floor. 3
Picture 3: Four 250-watt solar panels were ready to be installed. Picture 4: Burmese novices showed their curiosity to the solar panels. 4
Picture 5: Burmese laymen and a Buddhist monk were drilling the holes of mounting kit for bolts and nuts in order to hold the solar panels with the mounting kit. Picture 6: Burmese laymen and a Buddhist monk were putting the mounting kit on the foundation of the pagoda. 5
Picture 7: Placing the controller system Picture 8: Placing the solar panels 6
Picture 9: Wiring from the solar panels to the controller system Picture 10: All panels are ready to operate. 7
Picture 11: All spotlights and solar panels were successfully installed. Picture 12: To ensure the workability of all equipment, wiring and testing the controller system is necessary to do again and again. 8
Picture 13: General Chetta Thanajaro [the Man in the black suit the photo], the former- Commander of Royal Thai Army, and the Chairman of Thai-Myanmar Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association, was invited to preside the event of project handover. The receiver of this project was Abbott Bhaddanta Jagarabhivamsa [the Monk on the right side of the photo], the Presiding Monk of Kalaywa Tawya Sarthintaik Monastic Education Centre, and Kalaywa Tawya Temple. 9
Picture 14: Journalists from MRTV interviewed General Chetta Thanajaro [the Man in the black suit in the photo], the former-commander of Royal Thai Army, and the Chairman of Thai-Myanmar Cultural and Economic Cooperation Association, about the solar-powered spotlight project for Kalaywa Tawya Temple. Picture 15: The project is finished, but the friendship never ends. The friendship between two nations always imprints the heart of everyone who is involved in this project. 10