Delivering aid to delta regions of Myanmar after cyclone Nargis is not an easy job. Often supplies have to be carried by foot as other means of transport are simply not available.
Over a month has passed since cyclone Nargis ripped through Myanmar. People are starting to re-build their lives, ever so slowly... Many factors come into play - the weather being one hindrance - monsoon is not an easy season to build anything. Normally people avoid building or travelling during monsoon season.
A little while ago it seemed like the roadblocks and other such obstacles would be removed, allowing easy access to the region but alas, that was not meant to be. The words remained just that -words, even though some NGOs managed to get in some aid and a few aid workers.
Our little part in this story concentrates on one town - Mya Mya, - where many of the survivors are seeking temporary shelter and help. The town is hosting about 80,000 refugees from the areas that were among the most affected. The people are divided into smaller "communes" - about 100-200 people each. Most of these people have lost everything, some still have a few things left but are unable to start re-building quite yet.
These people need some of the most basic things that most of us often take for granted. Food, basic toiletries such as soap, toothpaste and toothbrush, a mat and a blanket, mosquito nets, basic clothing - all these are among the immediate needs. Encouragement, listening ear, and a prayer are what will keep these survivors on the right track mentally and emotionally and thus considered by many a top priority in helping the people on the way to recovery. On her first trip No No was able to get some of these basic things and deliver them personally to the people. She was also able to talk and pray with as many 1300 people.
As I mentioned in our first letter we chose a very low profile strategy to deliver the aid - sending the funds rather than bringing the supplies from Yangon.
It has worked very well so far and we pray that it will continue to do so. No No was able to buy most things there in Mya Mya and the only lack was the funds.
She is now on her second trip and this time it will be slightly different from the first. We still sent a few hundred dollars with her (in local currency of course) to buy much needed items but this time she's also bringing a designated fund to help get some school supplies for children who cannot afford it.
It might be interesting for you to know that what stops many of the children from attending public schools is lack of a few very basic things - a uniform, set of school books, and a set of stationary - with a total cost of about 5-10 USD per year!
One other enhancement for this trip is a ...puppet show! We had a great success with this in Yangon and surrounding villages and towns and it's not just the children who love puppets in Myanmar. The adults here are just as mesmerized as the children and we've had and incredible response.
One of the "actors" who is doing the show together with No No is a crippled boy name Tommy. He's very good at making different voices and can easily act for two different people. Every show has a clear salvation message throughout and at the end. It's amazing to see people's response. They are very enthusiastic and react just like children.
Now back to helping their physical needs. One foreign doctor donated a sterilizer that was supposed to be given to us to deliver to the hospital in Mya Mya (they don't have one there). But as you can imagine, right after getting through the customs it was "taken into custody". "We will deliver it ourselves" was the response of the officer, "just tell us where you'd like it to go". Well, whether it will reach the hospital in Mya Mya remains to be seen, No No will check on it in a few days. Please pray that it does get delivered as it should.
We would like to close this letter with a wholehearted "Thank you" for your contribution toward helping these people as well as for your prayers. Both are needed and if you can continue to send these please don't hesitate as the story is far from being over.
We are praying for you as well and trust that Jesus is blessing you in every way. Love and prayers, Steven and Lily