Relief Efforts in Myanmar: Helping Families Rebuild Their Homes

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In our last published blog, we reported that by mid-September, we had completed 32 houses in Myanmar with the help of many generous well-wishers. By the end of September, that number had grown to 37 houses.

Although this was a significant achievement, we soon faced a serious difficulty. After September, we were unable to find new donors, and the project seemed to come to a painful standstill. At times, it felt as if everyone had moved on, and our hope of completing the program was fading.

A Lifeline from a Long-Time Friend

At that critical moment, a long-time friend and supporter of Baan Unrak, Cristina Noce, came forward. Cristina has supported our work in many ways over the years. Through her program “We Help You to Fly,” she offered to sponsor five houses, dedicating them to the memory of her parents, Lucia Merzari and Ermanno Noce.

Thanks to her generosity, five more families were able to receive a small but safe home. For them, it meant dignity, stability, and the possibility to begin again.

Months of Silence

However, after those houses were completed in October, the following months became very difficult. November and December passed in silence. No new support arrived, and our volunteers had to return to their regular jobs.

The volunteers felt deeply saddened. They had promised the communities of Maha Aungmye and Chanmyathazi that, together, we would build 77 houses, but without funding, they could not continue. Meanwhile, the families waiting for help were calling our volunteers almost every day, asking when their homes would be built.

It was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

A New Beginning in the New Year

When I spoke with Cristina Noce about the situation again, she immediately responded with extraordinary generosity. She offered to sponsor 10 houses in January and another 10 houses in February.

This March, she has made it possible for 10 more families to receive homes.

We are deeply moved and grateful.

As soon as this support was confirmed, our volunteers returned to the affected villages and restarted the work. They are once again supervising construction and working closely with the local community to ensure the houses are built properly.

A Remarkable Contribution

It is touching to remember that the very first house of our entire program was also built thanks to Cristina.

With her continued support through the “We Help You to Fly” program, a total of 36 houses will have been built.

Our overall goal is 77 houses, and with the houses now completed, we are approaching the final stage. Only five houses remain to reach this goal.

Hope Restored

For the families receiving these homes, the emotions are overwhelming. Many had almost lost hope, believing that help would never come. Now their eyes fill with tears of gratitude and relief.

They are even inviting the donor to visit one day, promising that they will plant flowers in her honor as a sign of appreciation and respect.

The Dedication of Our Volunteers

Our volunteers deserve special recognition. As soon as the project restarted, they left their jobs again and returned to the villages, fully committed to doing the best possible work.

They are carefully supervising construction, helping resolve community issues, and ensuring that every family receives the promised support.

Their dedication comes with personal sacrifice. We can only cover their food and travel expenses, yet they give their time and energy wholeheartedly.

During this period, they encountered a woman who urgently needed life-saving surgery. Although the project did not have funds available for this, each volunteer contributed from their own personal savings to help cover the cost of the operation. They remained by her side throughout the surgery and stayed with her during her recovery at the hospital.