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In our issue 3/2020, we reported on the plight of a family with 17 orphans in Myanmar. The couple, who had two biological children, had taken in 17 orphans. At the time, they were living in a very small house, so we collected donations for a new home. The money was quickly raised, and the house could be built. Instead of a bamboo hut, a proper brick house was erected.
Since there are no Christians living in the village of Myanmar, a meeting room should also be included in the newly constructed house. Building plans and preliminary building permits are not required in Myanmar, so the plans can be implemented quickly. It was decided to build a two-story house measuring 15 x 10 meters. There is also the possibility of adding another story later.
Thanks to numerous donations, the new house was built in two months. The move also took place on schedule at the end of the year. Initially, there was no electricity, but that has since been installed.
Because of the construction, it was decided not to take in any more children. However, during the construction period, a pastor from another province asked our friend and orphanage director, Thang, to take two more children into his care and insisted so much that Thang went to see their situation for himself. After the father's death, the mother had moved in with another man. She had left her two daughters, aged four and nine, with their blind mother, who sent them out to beg on the streets. If the girls didn't bring home enough money, their grandmother beat them. Thang then took these girls with him. He wrote to me, asking for forgiveness for not being able to keep his word.
Brother Thang with his wife and 22 children in the new house
When the house was finished, a Buddhist monk arrived with a small boy. He explained that this boy had been found as a baby in the hospital a year and a half earlier – without a name, without a date of birth, and without any information about his parents. Initially, the nurses had cared for him. He was then taken to the Buddhist temple, as it is customary in the area for children to be brought to the temple to learn and serve. The monk at this temple asked us to take this boy into the orphanage, as his finances were depleted.
As of February 2021, 22 children live in the orphanage. Because the orphanage is located outside the city, getting to school, shopping, and other daily activities such as doctor's appointments is very difficult. Therefore, I will soon be appealing for another donation to help provide the family with a bus.
For the interim, a small flatbed truck with a tarpaulin and benches was purchased. However, this truck doesn't hold many people, so several trips a day are necessary. A few days ago, there was a government coup. The political situation is currently serious, but the family is doing well. They have stocked up on provisions and are prepared for a month.
Alexander Gruslak, CDH-Stephanus
Opportunity to donate:
https://stephanus-zeitschrift.de/spenden/?individuell/spende
Intended use: Myanmar