A Ray of Hope: Supporting Chin Refugees Amidst Adversity
We share the following essay submission from the Chin team leader of our Mizoram project, who we have been supporting with donations to help his community. He shares an update as to how Chin refugees are faring, while thanking our donors for their continued support.
Myanmar was a peaceful home for over a population of 54 million, and the largest country by area in Southeast Asia. Nevertheless tragically, the military coup had plunged the country into anarchy and chaos destroying every hope and dream that everyone ever had. Up to date, it has been more than 3 years that many are in imminent danger of death, among them include women, children and students. Before the coup, all were living happy daily life; parents working at different sectors and students attending schools, colleges and universities. Everyone was, in general, having their own private income, able to sustain their own family.
“It is undeniable that they lost everything that they had”.
The Indian parliamentarian said that the State government of Mizoram had registered over 40,000 refugees and around 60 camps where the Myanmar asylum seekers are staying in. We as the refugees had lost our houses, live stocks, even the love ones. We no longer have income nor farmland from which usually was a source of income to support our children's education, clothing, or livelihood. Youth and students lost their every hope and dream that they ever had; their sharp skills dulled, and mood plummeted. Even the most cherished members of their family like a brother, sister, mother or father, were tragically lost in the clash.
More than 2 years of the supply from some of NGO, local community were truly helpful and vital to us and, as the community raised fund and have supported us voluntarily in building bamboo houses, sharing the basis need of food such as rice, dal, oil and salt. With these supports, the refugees began to have our own school building constructed with bamboos. However, as time goes on, these structures become older and more delicate, and mainly due to Mocha Cyclone, the school buildings were also severely damaged. Whether it is rainy or sunny day, both the teachers and students spend a lot of hours daily at the school which have several breaches. This on the other hand leave them vulnerable to some side effect of getting fever, common cold and cough.
The volunteer teachers, moreover, most of whom are CDMers, are also parents and have burden of their own for the survival of their family just like all other parents. These teachers, amidst the worry for the sustainability of their own family, still choose to provide education with a burning desire to the rest of the children from the camps. So that the rest of the children can have hope for their future. They hold the opinion that it should not be just the external support that give them hope, it should also be from the internal action that their children would reborn hope for the brighter future. However, there are times when they are unable to concentrate fully because of their severe food insecurity and lack of access to healthcare when they become ill, even causing malnutrition.
At this moment instead of complaining, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of the supporters from within and outside the nation who make it possible for us to support and hold the family together and ensure that our children never go hungry. In addition to this, our kids can begin learning the lessons that they need. Both the teachers and students are working hard; the students in every household often study by candlelight until 9:00 p.m. In the evening they assist parents with their tasks and in the kitchen as well. The fact that the students' parents are happy to see their children returning to school and learn how to read and write gives them great hope.
Every little action that you have taken for us is “light amidst the darkness”. May the living Lord continue to bless you all.