Healing Hands: Illuminating the Dark
Better Burma is offering support to Healing Hands, a grassroots organization that has been making a significant impact. One of the members of Healing Hands, Shade, recently shared their experiences and insights about their work on a podcast episode. In the following excerpt, Shade discusses how much work his team has been able to accomplish thanks to the generous support of our donors. The very name of this episode, “Candle in the Dark”, came from the following excerpt. If you feel moved to do so, please consider making a contribution, regardless of the amount, to support the invaluable work undertaken by Healing Hands.
“Let us hold this cause close to our hearts and minds, knowing that one day, the military regime will fall, and Myanmar will witness genuine peace and progress.”
“We have traveled to various villages, providing not just medical aid but also helping them rebuild their tents and homes in certain areas. Our efforts have saved lives, including assisting in childbirth and pregnancy in the IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) areas. Moreover, we have extended our assistance to people injured from attacks by the military, such as those from cannons and aerial bombardments. We are currently working towards setting up a small hospital to cater to the injured.
In addition to medical aid, we have been distributing food and shelter to the affected populations, aiming to provide general healthcare services. Our future goal for this year is to expand into the educational sector. Despite the challenges, we are ambitious about maintaining education for children affected by the war, as they have not been able to attend school for over two years. We believe in offering them a better and more comprehensive education to pave the way for a brighter and peaceful future for Burma.
We aspire to create a new generation with an improved education system that will prepare them to be integral contributors to the nation's progress. Our aim is to establish self-managed schools to facilitate this vision. We kindly invite everyone, including listeners of this podcast, to support us in achieving our goals.
Our motto at Healing Hands is "journey to the wounded," and it truly reflects our mission to work in conflict areas and provide aid, medical care, and more to those in desperate need. We are committed to being present in actual conflict zones, delivering assistance where it's required the most.
However, we face numerous challenges, particularly in acquiring medical supplies. Inflation and limited stock flowing into the country make it extremely difficult to obtain the necessary resources. Prices have skyrocketed, making even basic supplies significantly more expensive than before. What could be purchased for 500,000 kyats back in 2021 now costs much more in 2023! The rising costs add significant strain to our efforts.
Despite the difficulties, we are determined to continue providing essential healthcare and training. Our aim is to conduct more training sessions, expanding our network, and equipping people with the knowledge of basic medical care. By doing so, we hope to ensure that even in conflict areas, there is access to essential healthcare services.
In the IDP camps and local villages, access to healthcare is severely limited. We have extensive plans to address these challenges and will persist in our efforts to make a positive impact. Any support, no matter how small, would be highly appreciated! Whether it's helping those in need or standing against the military regime, every act matters. Even a small act of resistance against oppression can be a source of light in the darkness that surrounds us.
Together, if we unite as individual candles, we can illuminate the darkness and drive away evil and oppression from Myanmar. Each act of resistance, no matter how minor, contributes to the cause we deeply believe in. Let us hold this cause close to our hearts and minds, knowing that one day, the military regime will fall, and Myanmar will witness genuine peace and progress. A better future awaits us, and we must carry on with unwavering determination.
In conclusion, I leave you with this message of hope and gratitude. Thank you for your support and solidarity. Together, we can work towards a brighter and better Myanmar - a Burma that stands free from oppression and embraces peace and prosperity for all.”