{"id":1109,"date":"2018-06-26T06:06:10","date_gmt":"2018-06-26T04:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cyclefoodfun.com\/?p=1109"},"modified":"2018-06-26T06:06:10","modified_gmt":"2018-06-26T04:06:10","slug":"volunteering-at-the-thabarwa-meditation-centre-thanlyn-yangon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclefoodfun.co.za\/?p=1109","title":{"rendered":"Volunteering at the ThaBarWa Meditation Centre – Thanlyn, Yangon"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the joys of staying in hostels with other travelers, is that you meet truly amazing people and they have great stories to tell.\u00a0 Several times I met folk who had volunteered at this centre and they were so passionate about their experiences that, once I reached Yangon, I decided that I could not leave without spending some time there.<\/p>\n

Please click on ThaBarWa<\/a>\u00a0to read all about the incredible work that is done there.\u00a0 Volunteers are encouraged to turn up at the centre unannounced and they will be accommodated.\u00a0 For offering your time and services you get a bed in a dorm and food for as long as you want to stay.\u00a0 Some volunteers I met have been there for more than a year.\u00a0 There are rules of behaviour – no alcohol, no dancing, no music,no cohabiting with the opposite sex, no drugs and no killing of anything – not even mozzies or flies!\u00a0 Apart from that you are free to do what needs to be done.\u00a0 You could stay there for months sleeping and eating – you are not pressured to take part in any activities.\u00a0 However, the volunteers that turn up are people who want to make a difference and give back to the Myanmar society in particular but also as a life-affirming experience.<\/p>\n

So, with some trepidation, I cycled the 23 kms from Yangon to the centre, not knowing what to expect or what I would do once I arrived.\u00a0 Firstly, register, let them know who you are and how long you intend to stay.\u00a0 Then find a bed in a dorm.\u00a0 I was lucky to get one upstairs, the downstairs dorm has a very low ceiling and is somewhat gloomy.<\/p>\n\n\t\t