Determination and Solidarity Carried Us Through 2021

Last New Year I thought that 2021 can only turn out better than 2020. How wrong I was! The year started promising with the rollout of the vaccination plans and it looked like that Covid-19 could be soon a thing of the past. But then the delta variant spread in Asia before the vaccines were ready and bodies started to pill up in front of crematories. At the same time the Myanmar military unlawfully tried to take over the control of the country, but the people unitedly opposed the coup. Tens of thousands joined the civil disobedience movement preventing the military to govern the country. However, the military soon deployed its old tactics of spreading fear and terror by indiscriminately arresting, torturing and attacking civilians. The result is that we are now in a civil war in Myanmar and already almost 250,000 people had to flee to seek shelter and became internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Although Child’s Dream focuses on improving health and education for long-term and sustainable development, our mandate also allows us to provide emergency relief if needed. And the need is enormous and still growing! Because we are able to reach half of these vulnerable internal refugees through our local network of community-based partners, Child’s Dream committed USD 1.5 million from its reserves for food, shelter, medicine, warm clothes and blankets. Luckily thanks to the solidarity of our donors, we could recuperate about USD 1 million and hope to raise the remaining amount by the end of this year.

Without a doubt the last 8 months have by far been the most challenging and demanding period since the inception of Child’s Dream in 2003. And despite all the sleepless nights caused by Covid-19 and the coup (internally known as CC), I am once again optimistic for next year. I believe that the will of the people will prevail against the Myanmar generals as long as they stay united and have solidarity. In the long run it is simply not possible to take a country and its population hostage against its will.

For me, there are two other reasons to be optimistic. First the inspiring engagement of our partner organisations as well as the camaraderie among our Child’s Dream colleagues. The challenges truly bonded us together even more and the team supported each other across countries. Secondly, the steadfast support and commitment of our donors despite all the uncertainties. For this I am eternally grateful! Thank you very much!

We all now wish you a magnificent festive season with lots of wonderful moments with your loved ones also if the circumstances might still be difficult. Let’s be optimistic and hope for 2022 to be the ‘good and more normal year’ we all crave for.