Myanmar: Kids Alive Children's Home*

MYANMAR HOME

LOCATION

Most of our children’s homes are located in mountains and densely forested regions in remote restricted areas.  

BACKGROUND

Abject poverty, corruption, starvation, child soldiers, hunger, child prostitution, trafficking, the absence of health care and education are the backdrop of life for the gentle yet oppressed and persecuted people of Myanmar.

PROGRAMS

Our Children’s Homes are directed by committed Christians who have a passion for children and work tireless day and night to improve their well being. The children in our care vary from 2-to-18 years of age and come to our homes out of devastating circumstances, much like the story below..

Ming* lived with his parents in the actual rice paddy where they worked. Often his mother was so ill that she wasn’t able to adequately give him the care he needed. Six years later, giving birth to Ming’s baby brother, his mother died. In the midst of this great sadness and loss, his father remarried. Not only did Ming’s stepmother dislike him and his brother, they suffered much abuse at her hand. Terrified of her, Ming would hide in the nearby forest and beg food from neighbors and other relatives. When our Kids Alive children’s home director hears about Ming and his brother, they brought them to live in our children’s home. Today, the brothers are not only well fed, but well loved!

Children in our homes either walk or ride bikes to the local schools to receive a good education. On Sunday, all the children attend Sunday school at the local church.

Each year, a special Summer School is organized for more than 200 children to enroll in and improve their studies over the three summer months. Training children in a good and healthy way of life while learning to study God’s Word and improve academically is the purpose for the summer school. There are always more children willing to attend summer school than we have room for. Those that are enrolled faithfully attend every day.

The Summer Camps Kids Alive operates each summer have become popular and well attended. Children will ride bikes, or walk, for miles and days just to attend a summer camp.  A director shares, “One village was so pleased that we were on our way, when we were almost a day’s walk away, they came to meet us with five horses in order to carry our luggage, food and equipment. On arrival at the village, they warmly welcomed us with a 35-gun salute! All the villagers – young and old – accompanied us to the church. For the next five days, our team worked with 220 children who had enrolled in the camp. They received good food, Bible stories, learned songs and enjoyed lots of fun and games. At the end of the summer camp, many children (like this “camper”) came to faith in Christ.”

“Kids Alive Camp Tamu has changed my life. This is the place where I met Jesus. I enjoyed singing, playing and everything especially this beautiful t-shirt. Please have a camp like this next year. Many children like me will be waiting for next year’s camp. I am glad today, many will be glad next year!”

FUTURE

Because of the hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in this extremely impoverished country, Kids Alive is strategically planning how more children may be rescued from starvation and hopelessness to a life of hope and knowing the love and transforming power of Jesus.

* Names have been omitted or changed to preserve the security of the location or child described.