Sunday, June 29, 2008

"To see how they [cyclone survivors] suffer is a heartbreak. To observe how they refuse to surrender and their determination to rebuild their lives is certainly an inspiration."

Surin Pitsuwan
Secretary General
ASEAN
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Fund Raising Dinner at Turner Bowling Club, 16th May, 2008

Fund Raising Dinner 16th May 2008

No doubt you have watched with amazement the tragedy unfolding in Burma (Myamar) as the Generals refuse access to relief agencies and insist that the military take control of all distribution of foreign aid. Aid is not getting to the affected areas, and Burmese television is keeping from the people in the areas not affected the truth of the situation.

There is a way of getting aid directly to the Burmese people, and that is by contributing directly to the monastries through the Australia Burma Association (ACT.)

For a over a thousand years Burmese life has revolved around the monasteries. All young men spend time as monks, part of their experience being going amongst the community with their begging bowls to receive food. The monastries both receive anf give donations. In time of crisis people go to the monastries for help. Their is a strong tradition that the monasties do not accumulate wealth which can be used for personal comfort. You might also remember that it was the monks who lead the last uprising in Burma, which was savagely put down by the generals even though the protests were non-violent. However the monastries are still functioning as a counter point to the rule of the generals.

The Australian Burmese Association of the ACT have been asked to donate by the monks of Nyetpyawgyun Tawya monastery and they in turn are being helped by a volunteer organisation called Saytana in Yangon (Rangoon.) Saytana is organising transportation of cash, food and medicines from Yangon. An accountant firm in Yangon has volunteered to deal with finances and budgets. Given enough resources, aid will be distributed to a number of monastries for distribution to the people. The Australian Burmese Association is in direct contact with the accountants, as well as with the various arms of the Burmese relief effort. Many Burmese people who are aware of the situation (despite the government propaganda that a few villages are under water but all is under control and the military is there to help) are already donating through these agencies.

What is to stop the generals from commandeering this aid? The tradition of monastries distributing help to people is at the heart of Burmese life. The monastries are sending monks to accompany the aid. Although the monks who were involved in the uprising against the government were imprisoned, tortured and killed it is unlikely that the military will interfere with the traditional role of the monastries as this would be striking at the heart of Burmese life in a way which could not be ignored.

More Information:


Web : http://helpburma-cyclonevictims.blogspot.com

Email: Australia

help_burma@hotmail.com, help_burmese@live.com.au

Phone: 0401742608

Burma: Monks.help.burma@gmail.com

So if you would like to contribute to Cyclone Relief effectively, quickly, and without further lining the pockets of the generals, please bank you donation directly to

Direct deposit or a cheque to
ANZ bank
Australian Burmese Association of ACT
BSB No: 012-955
Account No: 4940-34744

Cheq send to
Secretary
Australian Burmese Association of the ACT
5/8 Northbourne Flats
TURNER ACT
2612
CANBERRA

This account has been set up especially for cyclone relief donations. We have been working with other city based Burmese community association and if you have any questions, if we can be assistant of, let us know. We are organizing Australian Nation Wide Burma Relief Community Organization.



Thank you for your support and kindness,


Ma Mar
Secretary [Nationwide Help Burmese Relief Team]

Burmese Australian Burmese Association of the ACT

5/ 8 Northbourne Flats

TURNER ACT 2612

Canberra