While our partner villages have not yet had any Covid-19 cases, the travel restrictions and drought have severely impacted their livelihoods. Villagers could not get their crops to the markets this past spring due to lockdowns, limiting the money they had to invest in their fall planting. For families living on less than $1.50 a day, this is a precarious situation.
At 42 years old, U Aung Kham is a seasoned farmer and has been through tough times before. But even he is finding it hard to come back from the travel restrictions and drought. In the spring, he planted cabbage, mustard, and tomatoes. His crops were lost because he couldn’t transport them to the market due to travel restrictions. With less money to purchase seed for the second crop, he planted fewer crops this Fall and will earn less.
“I’m growing only one acre of tomato and not growing other crops this season. I don’t want to lose again a big amount of investment money and have debt. No one can guarantee that there will be a good market this season and I don’t want to take the risk.”
He has three sons, one in university, one in middle school, one in preschool, and is committed to supporting their education. Although, this year, he said,
“It is fortunate that the schools are closed now.
If not, I will be struggling for supporting my three sons’ education cost.”
Families living in poverty have little room in their budgets for adjustments. A loss of income like U Aung Kham has experienced severely reduces the money they have to buy food, further deepening their food insecurity.
“Our family can’t do any donations to support the monks this year and can’t afford meat and fish in our meals.”
Covid-19 cases are quickly rising in Myanmar, and it is now the hardest-hit country in SE Asia. Shanta is the only resource for our partner villages as they attempt to weather the Covid-19 crisis.
By initiating public health campaigns and providing handwashing stations and supplies, we are actively helping stop the spread of Covid-19 to our villages. We are also closely monitoring our partner villages’ economic situation and preparing an emergency response fund for each village to manage and distribute to needy families.
New livelihood projects, education scholarship funds, and health initiatives are what are going to propel our families through the pandemic and onto their path out of poverty. Your support can make that happen!
We know it is a challenging year for many around our world. We need financial support from you, our donors, to meet the increasing needs of our partner villages in these unprecedented times.
If you can, please donate now to support our programs in Myanmar.
Ways You Can Donate to Support Paths out of Poverty
1. Online at www.shantafoundation.org/donate
2. Mail a check to PO Box 1603, Durango CO 81302
3. Transfer stock and avoid capital gains*
4. Charitable distribution from your IRA*
5. Make a grant from your donor-advised fund*
6. Start a monthly recurring donation at any amount
*Contact Amy Hartenstine for more information to assist in this donation. amy@shantavillagepartners.org • 303-895-1854
