Leaving on a Jet Plane Myanmar (Burma)

hello all:

i leave for myanmar (burma) tomorrow on the next microaid international project trip. i will be helping survivors of cyclone nargis (2008).

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as you know, though microaid, we stay focused on survivors of disasters after the world’s attention has moved on—but there are always people who still need help.

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cyclone nargis devastated the irrawaddy delta of myanmar—it was the worst natural disaster in their recorded history—killing more than 140,000 people, displacing hundreds of thousands of others, and causing tens of billions of dollars in damage. (one report said that all the water buffalo they use to pull their plows drowned.)

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through our network of international disaster response organizations and the contacts i’ve made in myanmar over the last year, i have identified many areas where we can help. i never know exactly what we’ll be doing until i do an in-person assessment and baseline study on the ground. most likely, microaid will be replacing farming tools, rebuilding rice-paddy retaining walls, providing pumps and wells, or other small infrastructure necessities for families or villages. of course, our goal is to help people return to self-sufficiency.

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myanmar is run by a military dictatorship, and although things have loosened up over the last few years, it will be a challenging place to work. internet is sporadic at best, even in the capital of yangon. i will attempt to update you, as usual, but may have difficulty uploading pictures.

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i look forward to providing a full report of our success upon my return, though.

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until then, i wish you all the best in your endeavors.

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and i thank you for your support and good wishes.

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(if you care to donate to the cause, please go to: https://www.microaidinternational.org/copy-of-donate-1

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thank you.