Amidst the relentless ebb and flow of the Ayeyarwady River, this recent donation report unfolds a tapestry of resilience and compassion, revealing the untold stories of those whose lives are bound by the ever-changing waters of the delta.

“It’s truly delightful to hear about how our contribution could help them to solve their needs after hearing each of their stories.”

Under the guidance of the Abbot of the monastery, we also selected a group of peasants who have no farmland to grow the crops and are financially hard even to survive daily life. As the water level in the river frequently rose two times over the last rainy season until last week, even those farmers who own farmland, lost their crops or could not grow for one harvesting season. It was a difficult time even for the farmers. For the underserved peasants, their daily life was crucially hard to survive. We sadly heard that these underserved peasants bought and ate the poorest quality rice (namely, San-kwe: meaning 'broken rice') which is normally inedible for people but is typically for the farm animals only. They go fishing in the outlet streams nearby and beg other people for some vegetables growing in their fields when they have no work there. Some beneficiaries include the fisherman families with many children and one beneficiary, an old woman, was recently bitten by a snake and cured at the hospital of the nearest town. Some are coolies who work on the ferries and at the jetties.

Mostly by mid September in the last years, the water in the river reached back to the normal level but it did not until early October and it just fell last week. The Abbot said, "Maybe it rained very much in Anyar (the upper parts of the river) this year. In fact, rain normally stops this month. Maybe due to the Vassa leap!" (According to the Myanmar lunar calendar, the Monsoon Period lasted four months this year though it normally lasts three months.)

Recently, the river flooded the whole sandbar areas and water came into the villages: it came into the ground floor of the houses and it just dried up last week. Our contribution could save these vulnerable people who grab no attention from local individual donors or charities to get help, for 4-5 days (for big families) or around two weeks (for single widowed or widower families). We contributed 480 kilos (240 Pyi) of rice, 56 kilos (35 Viss) of cooking oil and 140 kilos (70 Pyi) of peanuts for all 72 families, in total. We also donated one sack of rice to the Abbot of the monastery who often shared his rice with the aged and needy villagers over the last rainy season as no one couldn't work then.

As per our experience, the Abbot and we invited the village elders and selected the targeted beneficiary group above the age of sixty and needy families. It's truly delightful to hear about how our contribution could help them to solve their needs after hearing each of their stories. It's a must to gladly thank all the donors who are still helping the innocent needy people from these rural areas. If I could borrow one old beneficiary's words, "This is truly a simple act of charity better than the donations of vanity."

We extend our deepest appreciation to all the compassionate souls who have lent their support through giving donations to these underserved communities in the Ayeyarwady Delta. Your generosity has shone a light on those who often go unnoticed, and your contributions have provided essential relief during the most challenging of times. As we hear the stories of resilience and survival from these remarkable individuals, it becomes evident that the need remains constant, even as floodwaters recede. For many, life on the delta is a relentless battle against the elements, and your continued assistance is their ray of hope. Your selfless acts of charity are more than just gestures; they are lifelines that have a profound impact on the lives of the aged, needy, and vulnerable. We kindly request that you consider standing with us in this ongoing mission, where your support can make a world of difference for those who depend on your kindness. Let us join hands and continue to provide comfort and solace to the resilient souls of the Ayeyarwady Delta. Your contribution truly embodies the essence of meaningful charity, a beacon of compassion in the face of adversity. Thank you for your unwavering commitment!

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