Impact Report 2019–20 (Health & Hope)

Description

Forward:

I really do not have, apart from through you all, a place to express all the great things that God has been doing, despite the suffering and hardship of our people. This last year has been so hard, but there have been many miracles to encourage us along the way. Who would have thought that a boy from the jungle would have the privilege to meet again this year with HRH The Prince of Wales as a friend. It is incredible and I am so thankful to His Royal Highness for his care, compassion and concern for our people. Following this, I was able to hold meetings with the UNHCR and the International Committee of the Red Cross to discuss the escalating conflict in our homeland and garner support for thousands of refugees, both those overseas and those caught in the midst of conflict in the jungles of Chin State. It has been heart-breaking to see our dear brothers and sisters who have lost their homes and loved ones to conflict; whose children who are not in school, and who are suffering in IDP camps. On top of this, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused so much hardship, with the lockdown causing a 19% rise in the price of a bag of rice and families unable to access local markets or travel to healthcare facilities. Last year, we have taken a huge risk to support those affected, with our teams reaching out through our network of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to bring hope to families across the region. I find it so difficult to write such a short foreword, there is always so much to talk about and request for prayer! But one thing that stands out over the last year was that we were able to finish the first class of Education for All peacefully. Not only that, but the students achieved results which were the same pass-rate as those from cities like Yangon – three times higher than local schools. It is like a dream come true. For many years I dreamt of our children having this opportunity. And this has been the result of our hard working staff on the ground, hard working students and your generous support. I really wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in what we have been doing and giving such amazing support to our works. From being hopeless, we have come to have such big hopes because of you. The partnership that you have with us, gives us strength to continue and persevere despite the risks and challenges. Thank you for reading this report and once again, thank you again for all your support, prayer and concern for us. God Bless.

Dr. Sasa