For the orphans, it's one tragedy, followed by another, followed by another.
The 65 orphans living in the Ko Tha Hpyu Boys Home in the delta region of Myanmar (Burma)
had already suffered more than their share of catastrophes. First it was the giant tsunami in 2004,
and then came the deadly Cyclone Nargis in 2008. That's the one that changed their lives forever,
and turned these 65 into orphans.
According to news reports, the death toll from the cyclone is over 100,000 with a total of 2.5 million
affected by its devastation. But to those 65, losing their mom and dad was the worst thing that could
ever happen to them. The government rounded up as many orphans as they could find and
distributed them around to the existing orphanages. It didn't matter that these orphanages were
already at their capacity, they just had to double up and make do. But that also meant that the expenses
for the orphanages doubled.
The Fire
Then one morning just a few weeks ago, after the orphans had left to go to school, as one of the
caregivers was preparing lunch, a horrible fire swept through the kitchen. Because these houses are
constructed of bamboo and thatch, the fire quickly spread out of control. Soon, the fire had not only
consumed the orphanage, but it had swept through the head caregiver's home and then continued
on until it destroyed all 4 bamboo houses of the orphanage staff. Burned to the ground.
There were no injuries; however, everything was totally destroyed. Their homes, their clothes, their
supplies, their books, their shoes, their beds, their food … everything. I cannot imagine what it would
be like to have a cyclone take my home, my friends, my mother and father, and maybe a brother and
sister … and then to lose all I had again.
What is Needed
Efforts are underway to rebuild the orphanage and homes for the staff, but we need your help in
replacing the clothes, shoes, beds, linens, dishes, furniture, books, kitchen utensils and supplies
that these innocent orphans have to have to survive. These orphans need everything.
I need you to make a pledge of monthly support that will be directed to these specific orphans.
We need $75,000 to replace the property that these orphans and staff have lost. Let's not make
them suffer any more. Please click HERE to make your tax-deductible pledge. Don't put it off; these
orphans shouldn't have to wait any longer for our help. It's up to us to step up and defend and protect
these orphans … because we care.
Thank you,
Gary VanDyke
CEO & Founder
Food for Orphans
