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Myanmar

In Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), families live in isolated villages, days away from the nearest town. Straw huts with bare bamboo walls are home to people who labour in the scorching sun day after day just to scrape by.

While in recent years, western embargos have been lifted, people are still trapped in poverty with 29% of children suffering from stunting due to malnutrition. Although education for children is compulsory, hundreds of thousands of children do not have access to school and for those who do, the many obstacles they face result in 6 out of 10 children dropping out before the age of 14

1998

We adopted 14 orphaned children living in the Chin Hills in a shed on meagre rations and built them a family home for adoptive parents to look after them

2003

We were made aware of an orphan crisis, compelling us to adopt a further 800 children. Despite the challenges, it was one of the best decisions we’ve made

2005

We purchased the purpose built Lois School to allow Ciang, an amazing head teacher, to educate 500 needy children

2006

We started running summer camps for children in remote areas providing nutritious meals, fun games and medical care

2008

When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar killing 100,000 people, we had to act. A Stand by Me team was mobilised and provided aid for over 7,000 people for 6 months

2009

To house and care for Cyclone Nargis orphans, our Children’s Village was built comprising of four children’s homes

2009

The GCEC School opened its doors to provide an excellent education to over 300 children

2012

Our second Children’s Village was completed, allowing us to provide family style accommodation to many of our orphaned and abandoned children

2013

To provide education to the poorest of children in the north, the Sophia Academy was opened and today is allowing 200 kids to escape from illiteracy and poverty

2015

Land was purchased in Shan State for a new children’s village for children orphaned as a result of war and children at risk of child trafficking.

2017

The Shan State Children's Village opened. The two homes now provide a loving and comfortable environment for 20 children who were previously living without care

Khup lived with his four siblings, mother and grandparents, crammed into one basic hut, washing in the nearest stream and cooking on a wood fire.

Khup’s mother felt sad when her children were hungry and even more hopeless that they couldn’t attend school. But she heard about a better life for her children – the Stand by Me Children’s Village. Khup and his siblings moved to the children’s village where their lives changed drastically. Khup loves learning at school. As Khup plays football at the children’s village, shouts of joy erupt from him and his siblings. They are thriving through child-centred care.

Play the video 3min 20sec

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When Andrew was just nine days old, Cyclone Nargis devastated his village, his mother sadly passed away and shortly after, his father passed away also. Living in a makeshift bamboo hut, Andrew’s sister at the tender age of seven became the family’s sole provider.

Andrew and his sister came to our Children’s Village. At first, Andrew was malnourished and scared of other children but in our care he has learnt to walk and talk and has blossomed into a happy, energetic child. He’s healthy, partly thanks to his love of eating grapes and he loves to make his friends laugh. We love Andrew’s smile, eagerness to learn and his enthusiasm for all of life’s opportunities.

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Just a toddler, Ruth was found on the streets by a police officer. Sadly, she had no home so was brought to our staff for help.

We welcomed Ruth into our family at our Children’s Home and ever since she’s been enjoying the happy childhood she deserves. She has caring and attentive ‘adoptive’ parents and she has lots of fun playing with her ‘brothers and sisters’. Her best friend at the home is Samuel who, like her, was also found on the streets. Ruth is affectionate and loving and she’s very generous with her kisses and cuddles.

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Living in poor conditions in a remote village, Vung was suffering from some serious health issues. Her parents were also suffering from poor health and couldn’t afford to send Vung to school or to buy medication or regular food to keep her healthy.

We accepted Vung into our school where she has excelled and is a friendly, talkative and polite student who loves to sing and play. She is now in great health. Vung says that when she grows up, “I would like to become a doctor and help cure the sick”. We believe in her. We can’t wait for the day we can call her Dr Vung!

Play the video 3min 52sec

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Naomi was a special surprise. At just nine days old she was abandoned outside our home, with only a piece of a calendar to mark her date of birth.

We knew we had been entrusted with this precious gift of a lovely baby girl and we accepted her into our family and named her Naomi. From abandoned to accepted, from being alone in the world to having a family who adore her, Naomi’s life is now full of love. Her beautiful smile tells nothing of the difficulty that led to her becoming part of the family but shows the vast opportunity ahead of her and the joy and love that every child should experience.

Play the video 3min 32sec

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If you don’t think you’d write to your child at least once per year, we’d love you to consider becoming a regular giver instead

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Myanmar

Our work in Myanmar

Khup, Andrew, Ruth, Vung, Naomi