FAMILY LINK MYANMAR
REPORT FROM CHAIR 2022-2023
At the start of April 2022 the coup was already more than a year old, and the situation in Myanmar was increasingly dire. The country`s economy was plunging, schools and universites were closed and hospitals were becoming less places of care and more centres of military scrutiny.
No team had visited our work since November 2019, and since that date therefore there had been no camps or conferences.
Thw year became a time of support for our family there , both financially and with much prayer, and contact was daily by Whatsapp.
One of the biggest problems for them was the rarity of power for light and cooking,Meals had to be prepared three times a day over open fires in the lane. We began to plan to install a solar system (which was completed in March 2023) This gives light and electricity to power the pump for the well.
Fuel and food costs rose dramatically. Suan had to had toe stop visiting the remote villages and hubger increased. When we found that out, we increased our giving and he was greeted with tears by those lonely communities, We also gave his car a recon engine and renewed the AC so he resume travel.
He also fed many hungry people in his neighbourhood.
At the house they took in two new boys who had escaped from the militaryattacks on their village. Control from the local authorities has tightened a lot and Suans township in Yangon city is under martial law.
Sickness hit at one point and most of the children and even adults were hit by fevers , not uncommon in tropical areas. Wer provided medicines. We also provided funding for glasses for children who had eye issues. One child is causing concern still(2003) and in hospital with a serious vision proble.
We were also able to fund a funeral for a villager.
Three wells were dug despite the military raids in the villages. Allso at Christmas Suan and Anna visited remote areas and provided a meal for many. It included chicken which they hadn`t for a very long time. 200 neighbours near their house were also fed a Christmas meal.
In October 2022 we were alarmed to note that Myanmar had been added to the International Financial Watchdog list alongside Iran and North Korea. We had to provide documentation of all financial transactions for the past 12 months. Thankfully they were satisfied and to date we are still able to send money monthly.
The child are cultivating vegetables on a small patch of land near the house where where they also keep chickens although some have been stolen.
Life continues to be increasingly for these lovely people and it is for us a huge privilege to be part of their struggle.
Our financial support has of necessity risen over the year and funds remain healthy. We began to build bunk beds for the children which caused a lot of joy,
Our prayer remains that we will return to Myanmar when the military situation changes. In the meantime we count it a huge blessing andprivilege to be part of their story. We may never know how many lives have been touched through the support of friends in the UK.
Suan send his heartfelt thanks to all as do the team from here.
We pray for peace and provision for them all in the coming days.
Florence Bevan
Chair Family Link Myanmar
1165655
FAMILY LINK MYANMAR RC 1165655
Statement of accounts
Opening Balance 01-03-23 £26002 Closing balance 29-02-24 £31283 Total Income in period £17215 Total expenditure in period £13613
Michael A Bevan
Treasurer