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Vice President of Myanmar visits Health and Hope’s work
Posted on 28th February 2017 by Philippa Wilford
We were absolutely delighted to host Vice President U Henry Van Thio in Lailenpi on Monday 27th February.
The Vice President arrived by helicopter, along with Deputy Minister Major-General Than Htut and Union Minister U Thant Sin Maung among others.
During the visit, the Vice President reviewed the work of Health and Hope, the proposal for building of an airstrip in Lailenpi and inspected the progress of development work within Lailenpi Town.
Over 2,000 townspeople, led by Dr Sasa, got hard to work to prepare for his arrival - even constructing two helipads to safely receive him!
A meeting was held in the sports field in the centre of Lailenpi where Dr Sasa proposed support for the betterment of roads, schools, the hospital, energy and communication for the people of the town.
We are so grateful to Vice President U Henry Van Thio and all the visiting dignitaries who gracefully supported many of these proposals and for their commitment to the people of Lailenpi and Chin State.
Vehicle Appeal - Update!
Posted on 4th February 2017 by Chris Jones
Thank you! In just under two weeks, Health and Hope supporters have helped to raise the whole of the appeal budget for the new vehicle for Dr Sasa and our team in Myanmar!
We are so grateful for your generous support. We've had a wonderful response to the appeal and the team are delighted.
We have managed to secure the new vehicle and it comes with a whole host of additional extras such as underbody protection, additional lighting and a winch for emergencies.
The funds you have helped raise will also contribute towards the first year of maintenance costs, in addition to part of the salary for a driver and mechanic to accompany Dr Sasa during the gruelling 4-5 days drive it takes to reach isolated villages in southern Chin State.
Thank you so much to all who have been in contact with us and for those who have given so generously to this appeal.
Vehicle Appeal
Posted on 2nd January 2017 by Chris Jones
Just imagine you've been driving 10 to 12 hours a day for three days solid on winding dirt roads. The last 50 mile stretch entailed navigating at less than 13 miles per hour through choking dust along cliffs with sheer drop-offs. You've just passed a section of the road where it narrowed into what seemed like less than a single car width and you're forced to make a quick manoeuvre around the remnants of another landslide.
Bouncing along inside the twenty-year old vehicle, which yesterday had to be repaired with parts made from bamboo, are your team who've placed their lives in your hands. They're joining you for a six week expedition.
Your mission: to deliver medicines and healthcare training to Community Health Workers, the only source of medical support to remote villagers within five days walk.
It's now an eight day trek to get back to base, there's no phone signal and you haven't seen another vehicle for the last three hours. As you shout to be heard over an unexpected downpour of rain, you hit a rock. You manage to control the car into the corner but an old man is in the road on the other side. You slam on the breaks but the car doesn't stop...
Dr Sasa was in a similar position to this recently, but miraculously, the old man suffered only very minor injuries. However, the car Dr Sasa is using, is now beyond worthwhile repair.
He needs our help.
In order to reach 100+ more villages in southern Chin State before the end of March, we need to raise funds for a new vehicle to help bring hope to communities who have no healthcare.
Can you help raise a target of £18,200 to cover the purchase and maintenance cost of a second-hand 4x4?
Over the next two months, a new vehicle would enable the team to:
- provide in-situ refresher training to 200 Community Health Workers
- distribute 1,000 dignity kits to vulnerable women
- run free medical clinics for an estimated 4,000 villagers
- support the distribution of multivitamins to pregnant women and children
And most importantly, bring hope.
Last year many villagers the team met were living in constant fear from outsiders. They had been turned away from clinics and hospitals in the past by medical professionals who had told them they were only unwell because they were 'poor and dirty'. These villagers were therefore blown away at the visit from our teams, who come to offer them something freely, caring for them with love and respect.
If you can help Dr Sasa and the team financially, please click here to give via our website.
Thank you so much for your continuing support of this transformative work.
