Myanmar moves to democracy and the West is watching, but not enough

I intend to visit the Canadian Embassy to speak with our ambassador about Canada's commitment to Myanmar and the ongoing partnership between our two nations and what it means for its people as well as Canadians.

Foreign money is pouring into Myanmar on the heels of major democratic ripples in a country that has been run by the military for a generation.

Governments around the world are observing Myanmar after its most recent de-facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi assumed office at the end of March.

Within a week, Canada's foreign affairs Minister Stephane Dion flew to Myanmar to visit and announce a $44 million multi-faceted development project in Myanmar, though the details presently are somewhat foggy, and I want to fill that void and learn about the partnership between our two countries during an exciting time in that part of SE Asia.

Will this money help the Burmese people? Will it help democratization? Do the people want democracy? These are questions I seek to explore and write about for Canada's news agencies as a free-lancer in that country.

Canada needs a reporter on the ground to observe its impact abroad, and I need help paying to stay in Yangon

Any journalist will tell you the best stories are found on the ground. So that's why I'm going to Myanmar instead of waiting for a press release or a call back.

Significant costs have been racked up since I left the country to start writing. Below is a brief, conservative breakdown on the money I've spent to be able to arrive in Yangon as a journalist.

-Vaccinations to enter Thailand as a Canadian : (more than) $100
-Travel insurance: (more than) $200
-Flight to Thailand (with return booked) $930
-Flight to Yangon from Bangkok ($220)
-Myanmar Journalist accreditation (including two-day hostel bed during wait period) : ($92+$40=$142)

That's $1656 CAD to merely set foot in Yangon, a place that has strict requirements for guesthouses, hotels and hostels that rent out to foreigners. As a result, prices tend to be high to get a room. I'm bound to rack up quite a tab after 25 days, even in a shared dorm in the blistering heat.

Food prices may be low but the cost of permits to enter certain parts of the country have yet to be tabulated by this reporter but I can give updates to potential sponsors who seek to know how I'm spending their money.

I also may be required to leave Yangon and travel to other parts of the country, either by land or air.

What you'll get out of this

People who have an interest in Myanmar, international relations and foreign affairs may be able to glean more information about a part of the world rarely covered thoroughly by the foreign press.

Also:
-You'll potentially be able to read about the struggles of regular people in Myanmar and how foreign aid may help upward mobility in a developing part of the globe.

-You can learn more about where $44 million Canadian tax dollars will be going, to whom, and when.

-You'll be able to help pay the expenses of a young journalist getting started as a freelance foreign correspondent in a difficult media climate with few resources to send people literally across the globe for nearly a month.

About me

I'm a Carleton University journalism graduate and former nighttime reporter at the Ottawa Sun.
I have permission to enter Myanmar and I've gone through all the proper steps to obtain accreditation.
I've been in Thailand since March to fast-track my adjustment to this part of the world.

Contact

Add me on twitter @samcooley for updates.

Or send me an email at Sam (dot) m (dot) cooley (at) gmail (dot) com

Portfolio: http://sammcooley.wix.com/portfolio