The total civil population of the territory is 2,000,000 + and includes mainly the Burmese, the Shans and the Kachin. Catholic number about 102,235 baptized at the end of 2004. The other Christians brethren are mainly Baptists, Anglicans, Church of Christ and the Assemblies of God.
Burmese, Kachin, (Jinhpaw, Lhaovo, Lachit, Lisu, Rawang, Zaiwa and many dialects), Shan, Naga, Chinese, Indian, Nepali, and other tribes with their own dialects.
Myanmar (Burma) is divided into (14) states and division. The diocese of Myitkyina is composed of the Kachin State and in the north tip of Myanmar. It is bordered by India on the west and north west, China on the north and east. Myitkyina is the largest diocese of the Catholic Church in Myanmar, because it included not only the Kachin State, but also Upper Sagaing Division (Katha, Bhamank, Lashi, Khamti, Lahe and Nam-Yung townships) and northwest Shan State (Mobing township). The area of Myitkyina diocese is 78,000 square kilometers, includes the (27) parishes. There are Myitkyina, Sitapur, Waing Maw, Chipwi, Namsan Yang, Tanghpre, Sumprabum, Durip, Kachyihtu, Putao, Tanai, Shingbwi Yang, Khamti, Hpankant, Kamaing, Mohnyin, Mogaung, Banmaw, Nanhlaing, Mainghkat, Momauk, Sinlum, Pangkhak, Zaubung, Tingsing, Namlim Pa and Prang Hkudung. The greatest part of the diocese is mountainous and vast stretches are not habitable. The mountain ranges run north to south along the Chindwin and the Mali and Nmai river in the northern part and along the Ayeyawaddy river in the southern part. Some of the highest mountains of Myanmar, like the Khkaborazi at 5,888 meters can be found here. The bulk of the lowland can be found around the towns of Putao in the extreme north; Myitkyina, the capital of the Kachin State in the central part; Banmaw in the south; Mogaung and Monyin along the railway consider southwest of Myitkyina; and the Hukaung valley in the northwest.
Rice is the staple crop in the Kachin state, as of the country. Secondary crops include corn, potato and ground nut. There is a rich variety of fruits and vegetables almost the whole year round. Citrus fruits like oranges, grape fruit, star-apple, mangoes, lychees, pineapples, jack-fruit, damson, pear, guava and papaya. Banana can be found everywhere and in all seasons.
The forest yields, valuable wood like teak, and hardwood as well as herbs and roots, bamboo and flowers and species of insects and animals. Then there is a jade, gold, ruby and minerals. Those who inhabit the land near the rivers profit by the great variety of fish and prawns that the river streams abound with. But a wise plan for keeping ecological balance is urgently needed.
Farming is the main work of the people. The state tries to introduce more productions farming methods, high yielding varieties of paddy and crop rotation. It opens agricultural and farming centers both to train form workers and to show to the people how farming and gardening should be done.
The percentage of the population estimated to be literate is 85 percent in the country and 78.5 percent in the Kachin state. The laudable effort of the government to provide schooling and education for all is having a measure of success in areas where communication is open.
There are five levels; Nursery School, elementary, middle; High School; College, University. Elementary (5 years), middle (4 years) and High School (2 years). There are (2) types of College University education. Distance University and Day University. For the Distance University the subjects are limited. For Day University the subjects are not limited. Day or Distance, depend on the High School marks.
The Church tries to promote education in (4) ways. First, the Church opens Nursery Schools in the remote area and in the town, and every year gives training to the teachers from different parishes. There are (40) Nursery School in the diocese. Secondly the Church opens Mission schools where there are no schools. These are called State affiliated schools. Thirdly, every parish keeps hostel or boarding houses where the Church provides food and lodging and religious instruction and formation of boys and girls who otherwise would not be able to attend school. Fourthly, the Church subsidizes the education of needy students in college, University or Vocational training Schools. Young people who are no longer in schools are trained on carpentry, sewing, embroidery, weaving, knitting, decorations, gardening and farming etc. There are (3) vocational schools, about (35) boarding school for boys and girls and (12) mission school in the remote area.
Evangelization:
Sisters, Catechists and youth Volunteers are active in boarding school and remote communities. There are associations of men, women and youth in every parish. They are also actively involved in the parish festivities and projects. The Radio Veritas Asia has Kachin broadcast that reaches
