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Suppressed and starving: Christian children in Burma need your help

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Published: Friday 05 February 2010

Suppressed and starving: Christian children in Burma need your help

Project(s): 75-821

Country: Myanmar, Burma

Yet again Christian families have been forced to flee their homes as the army attacked once more in Burma (Myanmar) on 17 and 18 January 2010. A group of a hundred children urgently need food.

Eleven villages in Nyaunglebin District were attacked as villagers ran for their lives. When some people later returned to one village to retrieve some of their belongings, two men were shot and killed, including Saw Mya Kaw Htoo (48) who leaves a wife and six children.

This is the terrible plight that has repeatedly confronted so many Christians in Burma. Thousands of families have had to hide in the jungle without food or shelter after fleeing their villages. Countless children have witnessed their parents’ being dragged out of their houses, tortured, raped, shot dead or even burned alive in their homes.

These families have no shelter and no food; rice fields and crops have been destroyed.

children praying in a refugee camp in Burma

Barnabas Aid supports a ministry in Burma that provides shelter, food and education for families left homeless and children left orphaned by the anti-Christian violence. The Christians are provided with food (rice, noodles, pumpkins, cabbages, and vegetables) and other items including pots, pans, blankets, mats, spoons, plates, dishes, cups, umbrellas, towels and Bibles. One bag of rice (45kg) costs £16 (US$25; €18). Currently, there is a group of approximately 100 children who are on the brink of starvation, and urgently need food supplies.

Below, we share stories of some of the children who are being helped through the generosity of Barnabas Aid supporters. But there are many more who desperately need your aid.

Sapehua is 15 years old. Her mother died of malaria and her father was captured by Burmese soldiers. One night, the soldiers came to her village and many girls were taken away. Sapehua was able to flee. It took her a whole week to walk through the jungle to get to a shelter supported by Barnabas Aid, where she has been for ten months.

See Wah, 14, lost his whole family when the army attacked his village. His father was tortured to death by the soldiers and his mother died while fleeing into the jungle. All the villagers ran off in different directions when the army descended on the village, and See Wah does not know if his siblings survived the attack.

Another child tells the following story: “I came to the refugee camp three years ago. There was fighting in my village. I don’t have parents. When I was seven years old, the Burmese army came to our village. They dragged my parents out of our house and killed them both. Often the army comes into the village shooting. I love living in this camp. I have friends and I can study. I want to go to my village but I cannot. It’s not safe because the Burmese soldiers live there. I want to be a teacher one day. I’m very happy because I can read God’s word since you gave me a Bible today. I have been a Christian for three years now. I was saved at this camp.”

Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Aid, says,

“These children desperately need our help. The Christians of Burma have suffered intense persecution for decades. Many have had to flee their homes not just once but repeatedly. Please pray for our courageous brothers and sisters, who face the real possibility of martyrdom. Remember especially the children, and please give as you can.”

“Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4, NIV)

Will you help the Christians of Burma in their need? Please send your donation to project 75-821 (Christian orphans in Burma).

Donate Today

A simple gift of £16 (US$25; €18) would provide a 45kg bag of rice; but please give as you are able.

If you would like to make a gift for the Christian children in Burma, please send your donation to project 75-821(Christian orphans in Burma). Please click to donate online using our secure server for 75-821.

If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference 75-821 (Christian orphans in Burma).

If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project reference 75-821 (Christian orphans in Burma).

Please Pray:

For safe delivery of food and supplies to the orphanage and to those hiding in the jungle.
That the Lord Jesus will be a refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble, to all His faithful children in Burma. (Psalm 46:1)
For our brothers and sisters in Burma as they try to rebuild their lives, that they will find hope and encouragement in the Lord as they endure their harsh circumstances.

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