30 Years: Turning Challenges into Stepping Stones

When we adopted 14 destitute children in the Chin hills of Myanmar in 1998, the country was ruled by a military junta, where the persecution of Christians and the violation of human rights were a daily occurrence. Extreme poverty had resulted in child prostitution and thousands of orphaned children. The secret police ruled through fear and intimidation; it was an extremely dangerous place to work as a foreign organisation. Despite the constant danger both to our staff on the ground and ourselves, we knew God had led us to Myanmar.  

Responding to crisis 

In 2008 Cyclone Nargis struck the country, killing over 138,000 people and leaving devastation in its wake. Immediately, our committed staff prioritised the most urgent needs and over the next six months distributed aid to over 7,000 people.

We provided food, medical supplies and essential resources to the devastated communities and met homeless and orphan children struggling to survive in an extremely hostile environment, living with sickness, hunger and trauma. We had to act, and thanks to our faithful supporters and the help of Action Overseas, land was purchased, and four children’s home were built for 50 orphan kids. Slowly our family grew and children whose lives had been devastated by the cyclone were finally able to experience the safety and security of a loving home, knowing they are precious, and that God loves them. 

One of these children was Hannah, who joined the home with her younger brother Andrew after losing their mother in the cyclone. 15 years later, she is an amazing young woman who now reflects on how joining the Stand by Me children’s village transformed her life.

Hannah’s Story

“My name is Hannah, and I am originally from the Irrawaddy region. Although my childhood memories at Irrawaddy are faint, I remember growing up in a Buddhist family under very challenging circumstances. My family struggled with poverty and, when I was only six years old, Cyclone Nargis hit. The cyclone paralysed my dad and caused the death of my mum. Her death left our lives more hopeless and made our family situation even more difficult.  

Shortly before my dad died, my life took a transformative turn. I was welcomed at the Stand by Me Children’s Village, a place where I found new friends, supportive teachers, and a nurturing community. Arriving here felt like stepping into an entirely new world. Everything was unfamiliar—the food, the religion, the people and even the environment. Although I often felt homesick, I held on to my father’s words: “Take care of your brother and listen to your carers.”   

At the children’s village, I worked hard to adapt but having not attended school for two years, I struggled with my studies and lacked confidence, but the staff at the home never gave up on me and always guided me toward the right path. With their encouragement and support, I became one of the top students in my class.   

At the home I encountered Christian songs, Bible verses and the teachings of Jesus. Initially, I struggled with questions like, “Why did God let my parents die?” and “Why did He allow me to become an orphan?” Those questions often brought me to tears. But overtime, I came to understand God’s love and plan for me. Even in the darkest moments, I never lost sight of God’s presence in my life. 

In 2021, the military coup in Myanmar plunged the country into chaos and suddenly universities closed, deepening my sense of despair. But later that year, God opened the door and with the support of Stand by Me, I moved to Thailand, where I am now attending university, majoring in English Communication. Studying abroad felt like an impossible dream, but it became a reality through God’s grace.   

Looking back, I see how God has guided me every step of the way, turning challenges into stepping stones for a brighter future. 

My journey is a testament to the truth that with God, all things are possible. Whenever I recalled the painful memories of my childhood, I reminded myself that God had a purpose for my life. Today, I am stronger, more resilient, and deeply grateful for the experiences that have shaped me into who I am.” 

After Cyclone Nargis, driven by the emergency and concern for children, we sketched the first plans for the children’s village on a napkin. At the time, we were focused on building a home for children in despair and couldn’t have imagined the incredible ways God would use this home to work in our children’s lives. Years later, it is testimonies like Hannah’s that give us a glimpse into how God has worked in Stand by Me’s story to help our children fulfil their potential.