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A Letter from Burma
Putting things into perspective…
It’s my birthday next week, the one we’re all supposed to dread, if you were born before 1968 then you’ll know what I mean. Less than two months ago I sent a birthday card to a four year old girl who lives in Burma. I sponsor her and her family and on saturday, quite unexpectedly I received a letter postmarked Phrakanong in Thailand.
The letter was written by her father, U Zaw Oo and was translated by the charity based in Bangkok. He wrote how May Mi Mi enjoys playing with dolls and going to pre school, that she has two older brothers and an older sister who all live together in a two room house with a thatch roof and bamboo floor. They use a hand pump for water and her main food is rice..
They live in Hlaing Tharyar, twenty kilometers from Yangon (Rangoon) close to the Hlaing River, one of the hardest hit by the recent cyclone.
Houses just like theirs were blown away leaving those who survived to sleep on the roadside. The monasteries offering what emergency shelter they can are full leaving thousands stranded in the heavy rains. The children have been worst affected and now UNICEF are voicing concerns for those stranded following reports of exploitation and sexual abuse.
My original post told of the loss of 350 lives, that figure kept rising by the hour and more and more I thought about May Mi Mi. The letter ends with a quote from her; “I will try to be a good girl. I want to be a teacher.” The words translated four days before the cyclone struck her town.
Forty years old with a few self-inflicted aches and pains from a dumbell too heavy. What mid-life crisis?
Dreadful and very sobering.
I hope all turns out well, I really do.
May 19, 2008 @ 7:20 am
Miles,
It is heartbreaking to listen to the news.
Let us be hopeful that the family has survived this.
Why does it have to take dreadful events to remind us how fortunate we really are?
Wishing you a very happy birthday and thank you for your wonderful blog.
Elsie
May 19, 2008 @ 9:52 am
Rod & Elsie,
I do think events like these put our problems into some kind of perspective. I cannot help but think of the dreadful loss of life in China too, at least their government faced up to the crisis and responded. Shame on the Burmese junta for what they didn’t do.
Miles
May 19, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
Miles
not long after reading your post this morning I was asked “how are you”
Instead of my usual nonplusssed response I answered with this post in mind
“a lot better than many others I think”
May 19, 2008 @ 6:09 pm
Miles,
I hope you get word from the Agency that May Mi Mi and her family are safe. As if natural disasters aren’t enough, thousands of people are at the mercy of corrupt leadership in this world.
Not that it’s linked to Burma but just the other day I watched the film Life is Beautiful which I highly recommend even though we’ve all seen plenty of stuff about the second world war. The pain and suffering caused by human hand will be the downfall of this planet long before Yellow Stone Park goes up.
Cid
May 19, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
Miles,
I echo what you say about Burma and China. The government of Burma in its behaviour is guilty of a major crime and should be held accountable. Words seem inadequate to describe the outrage one feels.
I hope that the little girl and her family are o.k.
Christine
May 19, 2008 @ 8:50 pm
Cid,
I am wondering if I will get word or not, it must be a very difficult time for them as well.
Miles
May 20, 2008 @ 7:34 am
I had been silently hoping for a “Great News!” post - ugh. My thoughts and prayers for all.
May 21, 2008 @ 10:20 am