Maung Dein village, situated in Pin Laung Township, has 47 households and a total population of 223. The villagers primarily farm corn. The village’s topography is encircled by sloping, barren land that is difficult to work. Farmers depend entirely on manual, hand labor to prepare the land and to distribute seeds and fertilizers. As this is their only agricultural crop, income is extremely limited with such a small harvest each year. The headman shared, “It was inconvenient for us to grow just one type of crop due to poor transportation. If transportation were improved, we could cultivate additional crops, knowing we could get them to market year-round.”
The challenge wasn’t just what they could grow, but how they could move what they grew. The village’s only road, a 1.3-kilometer dirt path just 13 feet wide, connected Maung Dein to the outside world. Every rainy season, the road became impassable, cutting the village off completely. Families had to stockpile seeds, fertilizer, and rice months in advance, often borrowing at high interest rates to do so. These early, expensive purchases ate into any profits they might earn. The road wasn’t just inconvenient—it was a barrier to progress.
In 2023, as the village collaborated with Shanta Foundation towards progress, the headman called a pivotal village meeting to unveil an ambitious vision: constructing a main transportation road, connecting Maung Dein to other villages. Recognizing the opportunities of this road, the headman proactively submitted a comprehensive proposal to Shanta. The community established the Road Committee, meticulously delegating tasks and engaging the entire village in this shared endeavor. The community rallied to outline their contributions, whether breaking stones, collecting rocks, or planning volunteer efforts.
Remarkably, the project flourished within just five months. The villagers extended 800 feet of concrete road, paved sandy stretches, and even constructed a vital bridge—none of which were part of the original proposal. With improved road conditions, the village lowered costs on pre-purchased rice and fertilizers by securing their loans later and saving on much of the interest costs on these loans. Additionally, a community member is considering starting a rice shop within the village, and several farmers are discussing diversifying their crops since there is reliable, year-round access to markets.
Now, Maung Dein residents can travel without worrying about the poor road conditions. This allows them access to markets for selling their crops, contact with medical care, and many other resources unavailable in their small village. This story embodies the spirit of unity and progress and the power of Shanta’s provenly successful model of community-led development for sustainable, lasting change.
