Bringing food to the Sagaing Hills
As we all know, the military coup in Myanmar has caused immense damage to the country and its people. It has resulted in the death of many innocent people, the displacement of hundreds of thousands of others, and the destruction of vital infrastructure. The coup has also severely damaged Myanmar's economy, with foreign investment and tourism plummeting in the wake of the violence. Even more alarming, the Myanmar military has conducted a massive crackdown on dissent, targeting anyone who speaks out against the junta or supports the NUG. Thousands of people have been arrested, many of whom have been subjected to torture and other ill-treatment in detention.
While much of the world’s attention has understandably been directed towards these devastating developments, another group has been struggling to get by in their own way: the monks and nuns of country’s Sangha.
Better Burma allocated funds that had been earmarked towards supporting monastics who were having a hard time getting by, and recently, our local contact went out into the Sagaing Hills to distribute this aid. He was able to deliver rice, beans, oil, and other staples to those in need.
As many meditators know, the Sagaing Hills are home to many Buddhist centers and monasteries, and the monks and nuns who live there rely on donations from local communities.
Our trusted contact was able to speak with many of the monks and nuns living in the Sagaing Hills, and they were all extremely grateful for the donations. One nun explained how she had been living there for over 20 years, and that the conditions there were very difficult now, more so than ever before. She said that the donations from Better Burma would help her and her fellow nuns to survive another day.
Our contact was also able to see firsthand the conditions in which the monks and nuns were living. Some of the nunneries and monasteries were in disrepair, and overall, the monks and nuns were living in very basic conditions. Despite the difficult circumstances, he found them all very friendly and welcoming, and grateful beyond words for the support.
Lastly, he expressed to us that his recent visit was a reminder of the difficult conditions that many monastics in Burma are living through, and of the important work that Better Burma is doing to help those in need.
The donations collected by Better Burma will go a long way in helping these monks and nuns get through this difficult time. We are so grateful to our donors for their generosity and compassion.
We greatly thank those who have already given, and we gently ask that you continue to contribute if are able! Every little bit helps. Thank you for your generosity!