In the process, they revelled in the sense of history, stunning gilded temple domes, and visited some of the 105 water tanks scattered among schools and villages, many made possible by donations from Inverell.

Jon said the idea to see the country came from a talking book by Di Morrissey.

“Called The Golden Land, and we both fell in love with the country,” Robyn said.

“We looked at each other and said, ‘We’ve got to go’.”

The visit coincided with the landslide victory of national hero An-Sun Soon Chi’s Aung National League for Democracy.

“She is so well-loved by the whole of the population, it’s phenomenal,” Robyn said.

The couple flew into Began and met Saya Toe, the man working with Inverell’s Rosemary Breen for the Living Water tanks program.

Living Water provides residents and school children with clean water.

Robyn said Saya Toe organises the builders and materials to construct the tanks without pay.

“He would have to be one of the nicest people that you’d ever met,” Robyn said.

“To set up the fresh water tanks is phenomenal; it’s hard work.”

“He took us to four schools and we saw three tanks and one of the tanks was from (Inverell’s) Dave and Rachel McLennon,” Jon said.

He said Began lies in a rain shadow, and the land is dry for a good part of the year.

Historically, water has been drawn from dirty ponds or collected in open containers, breeding mosquitoes and catching debris.

“A lot of the water was contaminated that they were using, and these fresh water tanks have provided the school children with the fresh water they need,” Jon said.

“They pick their most appropriate spot, put the guttering and make sure the filter systems are installed.”

The couple decided to donate a tank to one of the schools in desperate need.

They were struck by the level of poverty and lack of resources, yet the incredible generosity, honesty, and happiness of the people they met.

Jon said they found the main concern among people they met was a certainty for basic needs, like clear drinking water.

“You feel very humble when you come home,” Robyn said.

“But I often wonder whether that’s probably a better way to live, to be happy, and not be materialistic and want everything.”