Daw May's Sad Tale
We are sharing a deeply moving and disturbing story that was prepared by one of our Burmese team members on the ground. The story relates the experiences of an elderly woman named Daw May, who has suffered unimaginable trauma and loss as a result of the actions of the Burmese army. The story highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the Sagaing Division, where many people have been affected by violence and displacement. We are reaching out to you today to ask for your support and donations to help fund future projects in this area, which will provide much-needed aid to people like Daw May who are in desperate need. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a difference and help to bring hope and relief to those who have suffered so much. Thank you for considering supporting our efforts to bring aid and assistance to those who need it most.
“Despite her strong spirit and willingness to help others, these events have left her feeling depressed.”
A sad message was received on a recent donation trip, from an elderly woman who is around 80 years old. As she stood in front of the burned house, she was weeping. As with other elderly people, the reasons for tears are not related to nature, to children, or to illness. As a result of the Burmese army burning her house, she is crying.
Daw May is a strong and independent woman. Despite being widowed, she raised her only daughter to be an educated adult. She was also loved and respected by her community for being an active participant in village affairs. When her daughter got married and moved away, Daw May was left alone in the village. But because she is a kind and loving person, she continued to be happy and content in life.
It all started after the military coup. The army first entered the village and burned down all the houses they found, including Daw May's house. Hearing the news, the monks from around the village sympathized with Daw May's suffering and built a temporary house using their alms donations.
The Burmese army once again entered Daw May's village and destroyed the temporary house that was rebuilt especially for her. Because of the traumatic events that have unfolded, the monks have decided to help again and build a new temporary house for Daw May. However, Daw May has refused their help this time, saying that she would rather stay in a refugee camp with everyone else. Despite her strong spirit and willingness to help others, these events have left her feeling depressed. These events actually happened in the city of Welat. The name and village are used by other names.