Myanmar Earthquake: Urgent Help Needed

The recent earthquake in Myanmar has left many families struggling to rebuild their lives. Homes have been destroyed, communities devastated, and countless children and families are in urgent need of support. In times like these, swift action is crucial to ensure that those affected receive the assistance they need to survive and recover.

Relief Efforts on the Ground

World Vision Singapore is working together with local teams in Myanmar and has already mobilised resources to provide emergency aid. Their teams assess the damage and deliver essential supplies such as food, clean water, shelter, and hygiene kits. These basic necessities are critical to helping affected communities cope with the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

Similarly, organisations like UNICEF Malaysia and World Vision Malaysia are stepping up to support relief efforts. Every contribution made goes directly towards providing life-saving aid, ensuring that children and families receive the care and protection they desperately need.

How You Can Help

In times of crisis, every donation counts. Your support can make a real difference in the lives of those struggling to rebuild. If you’d like to contribute, here are some trusted organisations currently providing emergency relief:

🔹 World Vision Singapore: Donate here

🔹 World Vision Malaysia: Donate here

🔹 UNICEF Malaysia: Donate here

If you would like to support other organisations, please ensure that you donate through their official websites or verified fundraising pages to avoid scams. Unfortunately, disasters often attract fraudulent appeals, so always double-check before making a contribution.

Your generosity can help provide food, clean water, medical care, and shelter to those in desperate need. Even a small donation can go a long way in bringing relief to the affected communities.

Let’s stand together in this time of crisis and extend a helping hand to the people of Myanmar.

May x

My Earthquake Experience in Bangkok

Today, I experienced something I never thought I would have to face—an earthquake in Bangkok. What started as a normal day turned into a state of shock only hours later. The tremor hit around 1:25 PM, and at first, I honestly thought I was just feeling dizzy from my reading glasses. I took them off, checked, and put them back on—nothing seemed off. But then, the shaking got worse.

At first, it felt like a strong jolt, but soon, it became something much more intense. The pictures on my walls rattled, and I saw the door swing open by itself. My heart raced as I recalled the safety advice—hide under something sturdy. Without thinking, I dove under the table. The shaking was terrifying, and for a moment, I wasn’t sure what was happening. It was frightening.

I grabbed my housekeeper, who thankfully was with me today (otherwise, I would’ve been alone), and we rushed out of the building. My boyfriend is traveling, so it was just the two of us. We ran downstairs and waited in the open air for what felt like an eternity. Nearly four hours later, we were given the all-clear to return.

However, things didn’t calm down immediately. The building manager recommends that we not stay overnight due to the lack of official safety clearance. There was no guarantee the building was structurally safe after the quake. They needed an assessment and approval from local authorities before allowing residents to stay. It was a huge reminder of how fragile our sense of security can be and how quickly everything can change.

As I write this, it’s been almost ten hours since the earthquake, and I still feel like the ground is moving beneath me. It’s surreal. The feeling of unease is still with me, even though the tremors have stopped.

I’m counting my blessings that my family and I are safe, but I can't help but think of all the people affected, especially the children and families. My thoughts are with those in Myanmar as well, who are facing similar devastation.

I’ve never experienced something like this before. It was a wake-up call on how quickly life can turn upside down, and how we all need to stay prepared. It’s hard to imagine how those in affected areas are coping, but I’m hopeful that strength, safety, and recovery will come to them soon.

For now, I’ll hold on to the fact that I’m safe and continue to pray for all those impacted by the earthquake. Stay safe, everyone.

Read more at:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2989962/dozens-of-workers-trapped-in-collapsed-bangkok-high-rise

https://news.sky.com/story/myanmar-earthquake-latest-evacuations-in-bangkok-and-reports-of-buildings-collapsing-after-7-7-magnitude-tremor-13337088

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/we-have-to-get-out-singaporeans-recount-experiences-feeling-quake-tremors-in-bangkok

Images: 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/photo/2990036/quake-impacts-in-bangkok

May x

Virtual Meeting: A Moment of Hope and Inspiration

I had the pleasure of meeting Su, my sponsored child from Myanmar, last Saturday, and I still can’t believe I’ve only been sponsoring her for three months. I didn’t expect to meet her so soon (even if it was virtually), but I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to see her and hear her voice.

As with any first meeting, Su was quite shy at the beginning. But as we spoke, she gradually warmed up, and by the end, we were chatting comfortably. I was thrilled to learn that she loves mathematics and dreams of becoming a doctor one day. It fills me with hope knowing that she has such big aspirations for her future.

Learning that Su’s mother is a World Vision community volunteer made the meeting even more special. She couldn’t join us because of her work in another community, but it brought me so much comfort to know that Su not only benefits from sponsorship but also has a strong role model in her mother, whose dedication to the community is truly inspiring.

As for me, I’m not great at structured conversations, so I just talked about whatever came to mind—hobbies, food, sports—anything to keep our 30 minutes fun and engaging. Maybe Adrian (from World Vision Singapore), who was also part of the session, wondered why I was jumping between topics! But it didn’t matter because making a connection was what truly counted. At one point, I found myself at a loss for words because I was so excited to meet Su (there was a brief moment of silence).

Thankfully, the internet was stable, and we had a smooth conversation with no interruptions. A big thank you to the translator (whom I, unfortunately, forgot to ask for her name—silly me!) and to the World Vision teams in Singapore and Myanmar for making this possible.

Meeting Su was such a heartwarming experience, and I’m excited to watch her grow. ❤️

Image created with Microsoft Designer: Wish I had a real photo, but this one captures the feeling!❤️

May x

Child Sponsorship is not just about giving - it's about Friendship

I’m so happy to share that my story about child sponsorship was recently featured on the World Vision Singapore website.

When I first started my child sponsorship journey, I wanted to do more than just provide financial support. I wanted to create a real connection. As someone who enjoys handicrafts, I decided to send something handmade, something special, and something made with love. So, I made friendship bands—one for each of my sponsored children and sent them along with my first letter to symbolise the beginning of our friendship and the bond we share.

Months passed, and then came the annual update with their latest photos. As I looked through them, I was overwhelmed with emotion. One of my sponsored children was wearing the band. They all were.

It’s hard to describe how that felt. It was just a simple band, but it meant so much to them. They wore it. They kept it. They treasured it. And at that moment, I realised that even the smallest gestures can carry so much meaning.

Our letters are limited, often delayed by time and translation, but I still try to make our bond special. For their birthdays, I design and print personalised cards… not handwritten, but still made with love, just for them. It’s not about showing the world what I do. It’s about showing them that they matter. That they are thought of. That somewhere, far away, someone cares about them.

Sponsorship, to me, is not just about giving—it’s about friendship. It’s about forming a real friendship. It’s about reminding these children that they are important, loved, and never forgotten. It’s about making them feel that someone, somewhere, cares about them.

Because sometimes, even a small act of kindness can have a bigger impact than we realise. ❤️

Read more about the impact of child sponsorship on Child Sponsorship Stories.

World Water Day

Water is essential to life, yet its availability and quality are not the same for everyone.

The river that runs through the community I recently visited.

When I worked in a water company, I saw water through numbers—costs, processes, and efficiency. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind clean water, from treatment to distribution. It’s not as simple as turning on a tap. Ensuring safe water requires expertise, infrastructure, and constant monitoring—something many of us rarely think about.

The water piping system provides clean water to the community. Part of the essential infrastructure I witnessed during my trip.

But through child sponsorship, I saw another side of water. In many communities, clean water isn’t easily accessible. Children and families walk long distances just to fetch water—sometimes from unsafe sources. The impact goes beyond thirst; it affects health, education, and opportunities for a better future.

World Water Day is a reminder that clean water is a basic human right, yet millions still struggle to access it. While many organisations are working to change this, there is still more to be done.

Small efforts—whether through awareness, support, or action—can make a difference. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the clean water we have and do our part to help ensure safe water for all.

May x