Women for Freedom

Dear friends,

The earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28th has been—and continues to be—devastating. After all the hardships the people of Myanmar have already endured, this disaster brought yet another wave of suffering, claiming many lives and leaving countless others in urgent need.

Our local women volunteers from We women have been working tirelessly in the Inle Lake area and in Sagaing Inn Wa, distributing hundreds of food parcels, water bottles, and emergency shelter packages. However, at this moment, we have no remaining funds to continue this critical support—despite the immense ongoing need. With the rainy season approaching, emergency shelters are no longer adequate. Yet, building a new home in the Inle Lake area costs around €1,000—an almost unreachable amount for most families.

Friends of We women, both inside and outside Myanmar, continue to raise funds to support those affected. Still, it is heartbreaking to see how much more is needed. Meanwhile, the regime continues its brutal campaign in ethnic areas. Incredibly, just hours after the earthquake, military airstrikes resumed. There are no words for such cruelty.

In addition to disaster relief, our local volunteers have initiated a trauma healing project. Ten women received counseling from professional therapists and reported feeling more able to cope with trauma, fear, stress, and depression. Of these ten, eight expressed interest in continuing their healing journey through women’s circles, while two requested further one-on-one counseling. A new group will begin sessions next month, including one participant from the first group and several new ones. After this second round, we will evaluate the program and plan its continuation.

Since May, we have also launched online English classes for teachers in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). These teachers, located across the country, are providing education to CDM students—many of whom live in rural areas where access to schooling is extremely limited. Currently, 33 students are participating in two class batches. The sessions are recorded so students can access them later if they miss the live sessions. The demand is growing, with teachers emphasizing the importance of English proficiency for quality education and resistance to the military junta. They say, “The better we are educated, the stronger we can stand.”

In Yangon, a women’s circle has been a source of strength and healing. Women gather to create, meditate, and spend time in nature—offering one another support, connection, and relief from stress. This inspirational group has recently paused due to the demands of earthquake response efforts, but the women are determined to gather again soon.

This is a glimpse into the strength, resilience, and determination of the women of Myanmar. They continue to care for their communities with open hearts, even in the darkest of times.

With love and gratitude,
Ursula