The construction of a building honoring all ethnic Chin tribes is now underway in Yangon. The structure is being built under the leadership of the All Chin Society-Yangon (ACSY)—a network of 19 civil society organizations—and will be located on the corner of Anawrahta and Konbaung roads in east Dagon Township.
According to ACSY chairperson Peter Cung, the building will house a guesthouse, museum, an event hall, and offices for Chin representatives of different groups. The project is being financed by members of the Chin community.
ACSY applied for permission to create the building, make a fence, dig a well, and obtain electricity. Peter Cung said that around 200 million kyats had been spent (US$124,738) on the project.
“We face difficulties every year when we try to find a place to hold the annual Chin National Day. We have a four-acre land plot. That’s why we are going to build a big building. Then 20-30,000 people will be able to join Chin National Day celebrations in the same place,” he explained, adding that facilities were going to be built to house people from Chin State who need to travel to Yangon for medical treatment but who cannot afford accommodation.
Peter Cung said that he also hopes the site serves to foster unity and cooperation among the diverse members of the Chin community.