Stories of Resilience and Connection

Preena Patel listened to our recent podcast episode with Jake Snyder and Thiri, and offers this commentary:

In the powerful podcast episode titled "Hope from the Heartland," we are introduced to the compelling narratives of Thiri and Jake, two individuals from different corners of the world, brought together by a shared passion for supporting the people of Myanmar amidst their ongoing struggles.

Thiri, a courageous woman from Myanmar, takes centre stage in this conversation. Through her heartfelt anecdotes and personal experiences, Thiri provides listeners with a vivid and humanizing account of the harsh reality her community faces daily due to the conflict in their country. Despite the adversity, Thiri's resilience shines through, and she emphasizes the importance of sharing stories of living, rather than dwelling solely on tragic events. Her wish is for people to understand that her people continue to persevere and maintain hope, even in the face of immense challenges.

"I don't want to approach people when I tell our story... not any more tragic stories… I just want to share the story of living, you know, real living, and I want people to know how we're living even in a difficult situation. This is how we are living. This is not where I am coming here to tell you how bad our life is… I want people to care… And our empathy and sympathy are being numb because we've been kind of prone to all the tragic news around the world. So, the approach that I want to take is more about living… it's to share hope, and to share them to celebrate their living and to remind them that, hey, you are living.."

Thiri's call for connecting on a human level resonates deeply. She suggests the exchange of letters as a bridge between people from diverse backgrounds, fostering understanding, empathy, and solidarity across borders.

Jake says, "So, I don't know if you can start something like that, where people exchange letters or something. I think that'd be pretty intense and nice”.  Thiri agrees and adds, “Letters will be good, especially when now we have social media. In the past, people sent actual letters, and we can actually do the extra letters, which I love that. But also, we can always write the letters online and send a little bit of message, a little bit of small things and reminding the people of Myanmar that they live."

Jake's presence in the conversation adds another layer of compassion and empathy. He shares his journey of overcoming heroin addiction, and how his experiences have transformed him into a person driven to help others, even in countries far from his own. His actions serve as a shining example of the incredible potential of reaching out to those in need, regardless of geographical or cultural differences.

"Anything that's ever good that's happened to me has been some random person doing something that they probably forgot about. And so, I've walked up to people and said, 'You said this like 10 years ago, and I'll never forget.' And he's like, 'I don’t remember saying that.' So, you never know." Jake's heartfelt words remind us that our small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact on others, even when we least expect it. "I hope whatever comes out of this generates more people doing more things, or at least, at the very minimum, more awareness. So, thank you."

The conversations within this episode are beautifully woven with personal anecdotes, unique insights, and lesser-known facts, providing a comprehensive and emotional perspective on the crisis in Myanmar. Thiri's stories humanize the situation, bringing it closer to our hearts, and urging us to take immediate action to support those facing unimaginable hardships.

This podcast episode stands as a powerful call to action, reminding us that the people of Myanmar are in urgent need of our support. It inspires us to step outside our comfort zones, reach out to others, and make a difference in their lives.

The resilience and hope displayed by the people of Myanmar in the face of adversity are truly inspiring, and it's our collective responsibility to stand with them in their time of need. I implore everyone to listen to this episode and be deeply moved by the stories shared by Thiri and Jake.

Let us turn empathy into action and support the people of Myanmar in any way we can. Together, we can make a positive impact and bring hope to the heartland of Myanmar, making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. The urgency is real, and the time to act is now.