Shin Chan's Journey of Selfless Dedication
We have recently completed an extended donation project with the Shin Chan Charity Orphanage and Elderly Home. Our local team leader has shared the following essays to share his experience in providing much-needed assistance to this wonderful place. We also thank all of our donors for their generosity and trust in our mission. Dr. Chan Pyae Aung, known as Shin Chan, founded the center in 2018 to care for orphans and abandoned elderly in Sadaung Township. Despite numerous challenges, including the military coup, economic struggles, and rising prices, her commitment to providing shelter, education, and care remains steadfast. With support from donors and monks, her organization accommodates 91 children and 58 elderly individuals, offering meals, education, and healthcare. Shin Chan's altruism, rooted in her childhood, has inspired many. Future plans include building a two-story facility to expand their capacity, continuing her mission of compassion and service.
The lady with a hint of pale Thanakha on her face is cradling a baby in her arms. She wears no makeup or lipstick on her face or lips. She is simply dressed in a white T-shirt bearing the name "Shin Chan (Metta Yeik) Charity Orphanage and Elderly Home" and a traditional longyi. She has a distinctly Burmese appearance, and she appears to be an Anyar-thu—a native of Upper Myanmar. No one would guess that she is one of the officers from this charity. In fact, she is the founder of this charity, which is named after her nickname—Shin Chan. Her full name is Dr. Chan Pyae Aung, indeed. Many locals simply know her as Shin Chan.
A few minutes after we arrived at the orphanage home, she walked in with a peaceful, calm demeanor and was greeted with a "Mingalarbar" by some children. She responded in the same way. When she came near me, watching the kids have rice soup for breakfast, she made a gesture by joining her hands and greeting me. I guessed that she might be Shin Chan, as I had read about her in news reports before the coup. Of course, she is! I was very pleased to meet her in person. She has truly been a model of altruism for me for many years! She gently took a 1-year-old baby from one of the staff members. The boy was clearly happy to be in her arms, bouncing on his bottom as if dancing.
I had a pleasant interview with her and learned about the challenges and progress of her noble charity. In fact, her charity is originally based in Sadaung Township, a small rural town in the Sagaing Region. She established the orphanage home there in January 2018 with the help of some friends and their relative, a monk residing at a nearby monastery. Although she is not a native of Sadaung, her orphanage home, built in a bamboo hut, began accepting local orphans and became well-known to the local community. Over time, as donations gradually came in, she was able to ordain the children, including orphans and those from poor families, as novices. In the early days of opening the home, she was also taking university exams, so she had to travel daily between Sadaung in Sagaing Region and Mandalay, a one-and-a-half-hour trip, waking up at 2:00 am every morning.
Her altruistic spirit has been rooted in her childhood, even before she completed the matriculation examination. She began volunteering to teach the children in her native village, opening free tuition classes at a time when private paid tuition classes were popular. Later, she led efforts to open a school library and a village library in Ywar Thar, her native village. When she attended university in Mandalay, she organized a campaign and a youth association called "White Generation," gathering 300 university students and collecting 1,000 kyats from each to donate to orphanage homes in and around Mandalay. Her vision, which has always been rooted in her mind, is to educate street children begging on the streets of Mandalay—not only to teach literacy but also to instill social and life skills, with the goal of saving them from being abandoned by society. Although the association lasted only 3 months due to the university's closure, it was able to help and save 7 street kids during this short period. During her school holiday, she also visited Maha Muni Pagoda and met the children who were playing and begging nearby, unable to attend school. She fed them snacks and meals and taught them the basics of literacy, as well as civics and ethics.
Shin Chan's story is a testament to the transformative power of compassion, resilience, and unwavering dedication. From humble beginnings to building a sanctuary for the most vulnerable, she has inspired countless individuals to contribute to her mission. Her work not only provides shelter and education but also instills hope and dignity in the lives of those she serves. In a world often marked by challenges and adversity, Shin Chan stands as a beacon of humanity, reminding us all of the profound impact that one determined individual can have on the lives of many.
And personally speaking, I am deeply moved by Shin Chan's work and am happy to assist in connecting foreign donors who wish to support her remarkable efforts. Together, we can help ensure that her charity continues to thrive and provide a better future for those in need.
