Ma Tin Htwe, a vibrant 12-year-old girl from Htee Kan Laung Village, is currently a fifth-grade student. At a young age, Ma Tin Htwe moved in with her grandparents when her mother remarried. Reflecting on this change, she said, “When my mother remarried, I felt she didn’t love me as much anymore. She hardly bought me clothes or gave me money for snacks, which led me to stay with my grandparents. I consider my grandmother to be my real mother.”
The Htee Kan Laung library opened in the village community hall, welcoming everyone to join from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The dedicated library committee, made up of 10 friendly community members, warmly invites villagers to borrow books and discover the joy of reading together.
“During the first two months after the library’s opening, I only borrowed books once a week. If I didn’t have friends to accompany me, I wouldn’t visit. I felt unmotivated and wasn’t interested in reading. Initially, I borrowed books just to admire the pictures,” she said.
After a few months, the library committee began presenting awards to children who read the most books. They also provided guidance on selecting books, reading effectively, and choosing titles that matched individual interests. This inspired Ma Tin Htwe to strive for an award. She invited her friends to join her, but they showed little interest and frequently declined. Undeterred, she decided to go on her own. As she read more, her enjoyment of reading grew.
“In the beginning, I loved fairy tales and picture books. Those stories instilled in me the values of living well, respecting my parents and elders, and behaving courteously. Now, I favor puzzle and quiz books. When I borrow books, my grandfather enjoys reading them; however, my grandmother does not, as reading is not something she can do.”
She shared, “As I immersed myself in reading more, I found myself arguing less with my grandparents. Instead of pushing back when they made decisions I didn’t quite agree with, I started embracing their choices. I’ve also taken on more responsibilities, like waking up early to prepare meals for our family each morning. In the evenings, I happily cook and wash the dishes, always looking for ways to help out around the house. On weekends, I love accompanying my grandmother to the farm, which is such a joy for both of us. And when the library opens in the evenings, my grandparents gently remind me to return the books on time and to pick out some new ones to enjoy!”
“Reading brings me joy. When I don’t read, I feel uneasy, as though something is lacking. I eagerly anticipate the library’s opening hours. Additionally, my schoolwork has improved; I comprehend concepts better and feel more confident engaging with my teachers, even without my friends.”
She expressed her wish to inspire her friends to adopt a love of reading, too. “Whenever I visit the library, I invite my friends, Mya Kyi and Pyone Kyi. Now, Pyone Kyi enjoys going to the library just as much as I do. I will keep motivating my friends to read more like me.”
Ma Tin Htwe has a wonderful dream of becoming a hairdresser one day! She joyfully shares, “I absolutely love styling hair, and when I grow up, I want to be a hairdresser. After that, I hope to take care of my grandparents as a way to show my gratitude for everything they’ve done for me.”
