Philanthropy

Novitiation (Shinpyu) Ceremony in Mann Field

MPRL E&P’s Novitiation (Shinpyu) Ceremony Report

Corporate philanthropy plays a crucial role in sustaining community traditions during times of economic and social hardships for several reasons.

Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Many community traditions are deeply rooted in culture and heritage. During challenging times, such as economic downturns or social unrest, communities may struggle to maintain these traditions due to lack of resources or support. Corporate philanthropy can provide the necessary funding and resources to preserve and promote cultural heritage, ensuring that traditions are passed down to future generations.

Promotion of Social Cohesion

Community traditions play a vital role in fostering social cohesion and unity. During times of crisis, maintaining these traditions can help bring people together, strengthen community bonds, and provide a sense of belonging and identity. Corporate philanthropy that supports community events, festivals, or cultural programs can contribute to social cohesion by providing opportunities for people to come together and celebrate their shared heritage.

Long-Term Sustainability

Investing in community traditions through corporate philanthropy contributes to the long-term sustainability of both the traditions themselves and the communities that practice them. By providing financial support, resources, and expertise, businesses can help ensure that cultural traditions continue to thrive, even in the face of economic and social challenges. This long-term investment in community sustainability benefits both the company and the broader society.

In a nutshell, by sustaining cultural heritage, providing assistance to vulnerable communities, promoting social cohesion, enhancing corporate reputation, and contributing to long-term sustainability, companies can make a meaningful difference in preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of human culture.

Tradition Brings Harmony: MPRL E&P’s Novitiation (Shinpyu) Ceremony Enriching Mann Field Communities

MPRL E&P, the sole independent upstream energy company led by Myanmar nationals operating both onshore and offshore in Myanmar, has been an unwavering presence in Mann Field for 28 years. The company steadfastly regards the Mann Field Communities as primary stakeholders, consistently fostering development and socio-economic progress.

As a leading oil and gas company in Myanmar, MPRL E&P plays a key role in preserving Myanmar’s cultural traditions, particularly in Mann Field, home to the majority of Buddhist Myanmar people who diligently uphold traditional practices. The company and its staff actively support social and cultural events, emphasizing their commitment to Mann Field’s holistic development and well-being.

During the 2024 school summer holidays, MPRL E&P’s CSR Program organized a Novitiation (Shinpyu) Ceremony for families in need among the 10,000-plus residents of Mann Field. This provided them with an opportunity to pass on religious traditions to their cherished sons. The Shinpyu is a cornerstone of Burmese Theravada Buddhism tradition, signifying a boy’s novice monastic ordination before he turns 20. This rite of passage, one among the twelve auspicious rites in Burmese culture, reflects a key parental duty – introducing their sons to the spiritual legacy of Gautama Buddha by joining the Sangha. Although the duration may vary, the initiation provides the novices a deep dive into Buddha’s teachings, the Dhamma, either as a fleeting encounter or as a lifelong journey.

Daw Wit Hmone Tin Latt, Head of Corporate Sustainability at MPRL E&P, spearheading and overseeing CSR activities, explained the purpose of the ceremony. “With the goal of perpetuating a cherished Myanmar tradition and recognizing the challenges faced by the less fortunate families in Mann Field in fulfilling this solemn obligation, MPRL E&P’s CSR Program took the initiative to organize and host the Novitiation Ceremony in March 2024 in collaboration with Village Administrations and Village Development Committees. The planning commenced in July 2023, involving monthly preliminary consultations to ensure a well-coordinated and meaningful event. The ceremony was demonstrated through a community-wide celebration, epitomizing communal unity and shared spiritual values, cementing the tradition’s significance in Burmese culture.”

On 07 March 2024, MPRL E&P hosted a Novitiation Ceremony for the Mann Field Communities at the Auk Kyaung Pagoda in Auk Kyaung Village, Mann Field. Notably, this Pagoda has received significant support and donations from the Chairman & CEO of MPRL E&P Group of Companies and his family, as well as from Field Operations Team members.

U Saw Eh Hsar Blute Htoo, a Senior CSR Officer from the CSR & Communications Department and the organizer of the ceremony, emphasized the active involvement of all staff members in the essential preparations. “As members of the CSR & Communications Team, we actively promoted the involvement of all staff members in the essential preparations for the ordination ceremony. We encouraged contributions such as donating robes and arranging meals for the novices throughout the week. Thanks to the collective efforts, we successfully dispatched the donated items on time,” he said, expressing his joy. “This made the ceremony more complete, and it was a blessing that embraced both the company and its dedicated staff members.”

The event unfolded with the support of the CSR Program and the generous contributions from the staff members of the MPRL E&P and Myint & Associates (Mann Field Project) donating offertories to the Principal Sayardaw of Auk Kyaung Monastery. Twenty-seven esteemed members of the Sangha from the 14 monasteries in the neighboring villages of Mann Field received a sum of MMK 2,700,000 and offertories including robes and meals (Soon). Subsequently, the Principal Sayardaw of Auk Kyaung Monastery, Bhaddanta Sandavara, conferred novicehood upon the young boys.

The ceremony witnessed the nomination of a total of 71 young boys from 14 surrounding villages in Mann Field to become novice monks. These novices will spend seven days a week and an extended duration as they wish in the monasteries of their respective villages, as per the planned arrangement. The CSR Program, along with contributions from staff family members, provided support for the novices’ food expenses for the entire seven-day period. The ceremony incurred a total cost of MMK 30,669,150, which included MMK 13,000,000 contributed by the staff family members of MPRL E&P and Myint & Associates (Mann Field Project).

The Village Administrator of U Kyaw Soe, who took the lead in the preparation and catering of the donated meals, expressed his gratitude, stating, “We are truly grateful to MPRL E&P (CSR Program) for organizing and leading this initiative to hold such a solemn ceremony in our community. It is also heartening to see everyone organizing and participating harmoniously. We are particularly delighted for our Maung-Shin-Laung (young boys) who have not yet been ordained. Also, we are pleased to have organized 31 members for the culinary and reception team. As a village resident, I am proud and elated that this event took place at the Auk Kyaung Pagoda, and that we were able to arrange food and reception in an orderly manner, resulting in a great success.”

During the MPRL E&P’s Novitiation Ceremony, a total of over 2,700 attendees honored the community tradition of ‘Pwal Yoe,’ which showcased a diverse array of traditional dishes, including fried pounded dried fish, pickled bean sprout salad, fried red chillis and chickpea soup.

“My twin sons have recently turned 13 years old, marking a significant milestone in their lives. As we fulfill our parental duties and guide them along the path to becoming novices, we are profoundly grateful for the support extended by the company during this auspicious moment. For individuals like us facing financial challenges, the emotions that arise from witnessing my sons as two Maung-Shin-Laung are truly beyond words. May MPRL E&P continue to thrive and achieve even greater success,” expressed Daw Ei Ei Hlaing, a mother of twin brothers from Lay Eain Tan Village, who is proud of her sons’ novitiation.

MPRL E&P consistently demonstrates a sense of familial connection with the Mann Field Communities, actively contributing to the socio-economic development alongside its corporate growth. The Novitiation Ceremony, wherein the cherished gems of the Mann Field Communities are acknowledged as novices, represents a collaborative endeavor aimed at preserving a revered tradition among the Buddhist Myanmar people, reflecting MPRL E&P’s benevolence towards the local community. The successful execution of the Novitiation Ceremony stands as evidence of the fruitful collaboration between the company and the communities, symbolizing the establishment of a robust community that MPRL E&P is fostering in Mann Field.

The Dawn is Never Far Away: Aftermath of Cyclone Komen

Volunteering – A culture that exists within employees at MPRL E&P.

MPRL E&P, which operates the well-known Mann field in Minbu Township, embarked upon its first emergency relief effort by doing a rapid needs assessment which would help the company measure the damage caused and identify who were affected and their immediate needs at the onset of a natural disaster involving people as having access to accurate and timely information is crucial for effective disaster response, in eight locations of Minbu Township, including the four emergency camps pitched in the Mann field area, where around 2781 people were residing currently.

Daw Zin Mar Myint who was on the ground as one of MPRL E&P’s CSR Field Team conducting the assessment said, “We were in Ywar Thar Village in Mann Field. A total of 180 households were evacuated and the village was under water. Our assessment told us the community needed clean water and mosquito nets as priorities.” Her description resonated with Daw Than Than Maw who explained how high waters from the Ayeyarwady river had washed away her tomato plantation and she was relocated to Nyaung Zin Relief Camp where the situation was so desperate that she even had difficulty getting drinking water.

At MPRL E&P, inside of a few days, a disaster management committee was set up to effectively address response and recovery needs of the affected communities following the rapid need assessment by reflecting natural disaster management principles in the best possible way. As a result, two humanitarian responses were completed in Magwe Region as part of the community investment initiatives by the company. Meanwhile, MPRL E&P Group of Companies’ employees contributed cash assistance of MMK 3,420,000 for 114 MOGE and MPRL E&P personnel affected by the floods. In addition, 2051 hours of volunteer service were provided by 115 employees, exceeding the target set by the Corporate Social Responsibility and Communications Department in order to encourage the employees’ engagement with the community. In total, MPRL E&P Group of Companies as a whole contributed MMK 756,508,045 by end of August to the Myanmar Floods 2015.

George S. Patton Jr. says ‘I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.’ Similarly, it will not be about how much trouble we are in. Rather, it will be about how highly and quickly we pull through from this adversity through the golden virtues of resilience, patience, leadership and spirit of cooperation and harmony, starting with what we have, not with what we lack, while still being aware of what needs to be learnt at national levels.

Power of Sports to Change Lives and Strengthen Communities

Improving opportunities for young Myanmar nationals to develop new skills, techniques, and mental strength to compete in sailing regattas nationally and world-wide. MPRL E&P’s commitment as a main sponsor has led to hosting the 27^th SEA Games and winning gold – a representation of commitment, handwork, and resilience from the Myanmar sailing team.

The MPRL E&P Group of Companies supports and sponsors the Myanmar Yachting Federation (MYF), the Yangon Sailing Club, and the Optimist Dinghy Association of Myanmar. . The purpose of the sponsorship is to encourage Myanmar young people to participate in the sailing sport. For the past twenty years, the Group of Companies has been the sole sponsor of the sailing sport in the country. Athletes are chosen by the Myanmar Yachting Federation Committee based on their physical and mental skills, strengths and weaknesses.

Sponsorship to the Myanmar Yachting Federation, Yangon Sailing Club and Myanmar sailing activities amounted to US$3.71 million and MMK 18,707 million.

MPRL E&P’s Employees Try to Pay Back to the Society

As there is a re-emerging trend of citizen engagement in the community in Myanmar in its new era of rebuilding, various groups dedicated to causes such as human rights, charity, and environment have attracted attention regarding their capability and willingness to donate their time and skills to help others.

As there is a re-emerging trend of citizen engagement in the community in Myanmar in its new era of rebuilding, various groups dedicated to various causes such as human rights, charity, and environment are getting more and more public attention regarding their capability to fulfill what is fallen short by government and business sectors.

Meanwhile, that based on the monthly contributions, prosocial individuals from MPRL E&P Group of Companies organize fund raising drives and donate to causes such as education, HIV/AIDS and youth development, as well as religious functions has caught Insight!’s attention lately.

Say Ta Nar Shin, which is the name of the group, meaning a kind of mental quality –goodwill and kindness towards fellow human beings in association with moral roots, is composed of the ordinary staff members.

U Yan Aung, Senior Driver, who serves to collect cash and arrange donations, said that he was aware of the trend and felt inspired to kick off with a group within his and his friends’ own capacity.

Their dream was realized for the first time on 6 October 2013, inasmuch as the group donated K 255,000 to the Free Funeral Service Society in Yangon. Since then, the donations have materialized eight times through the help of about 180 members.

Ma Shwe Mar, CSR Assistant at MPRL E&P’s CSR Department, in participating in the latest donation activity at a Buddhist Sister School called Wi Thar Khar, recalled how it has happened to her and how she felt about it.

“I learned that there was a donation group called Say Ta Nar Shin when I was conducting a sustainability section in my work. Me and my team had just won USD 100 in our company’s 25th Anniversary Party’s talent competition and we decided to donate our prize money to the group. We went to Wi Thar Khar with the Say Ta Nar Shin’s members and I felt so sorry when the children there said ‘thank you’ to us.”

The group has no formal structure, nor a treasury body. U Yan Aung explained that he collects cash from the members at the end of each month and the collected are donated once and for all when a certain amount is reached.

When asked as regards the future for the group, U Yan Aung voiced some ideas.

“I have some sort of notion that it would be great if some of our donors-cum-staffs who know how to talk encouraging and educative words to our recipient children, for instance, the ones from Linn Lat Kyal Youth Education Network in Latputta District in Ayeyarwady Division who were orphaned when their parents were killed in 2008 Nargis, the worst Cyclone in the country’s history, can accompany our donation trips. Another thing is the limitation of fund sources; our company has a staff body of 400 or so and if three fourth of it wrote a cheque to us, we would be able to double our capacity to contribute towards the society whose stark deprivations I witness first hand.”