Deep in the Jungle, Supporting CDM
As we are far away, even while hearing the news coming out of Myanmar, it can be challenging to get an accurate understanding of the smaller details on the ground. And for donors who have so kindly sent in financial contributions to support the Burmese people in their hopes for greater freedom, it can be especially valuable to learn how these have been applied and who they have helped. The following narrative tells one such story.
One nurse who was joining CDM explains how one day in late April, soldiers arrived in her village searching for those joining and supporting the CDM movement. Additionally, every male above the age of 16 was abducted and forced to join the military. The nurse and her friend ran away, escaping detection from the soldiers, going deep into the jungle. She knew vaguely of an uncle who earned his living as a hunter and hoped to find him and hide there.
The volunteer helping to distribute funds came in contact with the nurse who was desperately in need of support. As she was unable to move given the soldiers in close proximity, our volunteer hired a guide to seek them out. With nothing except a protective vest and safety helmet, they trekked into the forest, finding other women hiding out in this camp, including a teacher. She had graduated form a Bachelor’s of Education at the Government Employee College, having gone into the profession to teach the impoverished community in her home village, but was now taking an ethical stand and refusing to in any way support the illegal military takeover.
The volunteer later reported to us: “I’m really please and blessed to meet these brave and wise women. Even I had to take a risk to get there. It was very hard to get the deep jungle. But your donation funds were used to support their courageous stand for freedom.”
