We have been involved with Link Emergency Aid Development since May 2008. Over 45,000 people in Myanmar (Burma) have benefited so far.
Without Prospero, I don't think we would have come this far, and with the continued support of Prospero, I believe we can go even further, making a real impact on the lives of thousands of survivors. Together we can not only restore their livelihoods but the human dignity tragically taken away by the cyclone and through the neglect of the responsible bodies.
Tharapi Than, Director, LEAD
Beneficiary's story
Headmaster of Htan Taw village, Dedaye, one of LEAD’s beneficiaries has the following to say:
"I am retiring in a few years' time, and before LEAD came, I lost all the hope of seeing my little school stand again. Now, they have rebuilt this school, and it is the strongest building in the village. Children no longer need to cramp into one room in the monastery for their lessons, and both teachers and children are very happy with their new school. I'd like to thank all the donors for rebuilding our school."
LEAD's story
We were a group of Burmese students at the time that Cyclone Nargis hit
the Delta. We wanted to use our contacts to get emergency aid to the victims
of the cyclone and Prospero were instrumental in getting us started so quickly.
We were not yet a registered charity but Anna-Louisa vouched for our trustworthiness
and capability and consequently, RAPID UK was willing to help us channel
funds. Otherwise we would have lost the opportunity. She also helped us
and provided us with valuable advice and suggestions to help solve organisational
and communication problems.
We were also able to raise awareness on the plight of cyclone survivors and our projects through Prospero events. We were introduced to journalists and directors of charities, and for a small organisation like us, the expansive networking within a short time was invaluable.
The highlight of working together with Prospero was that Anna-Louisa came to see our projects in the delta in 2009, and then recommended our organisation to major funding agencies in Burma. Since our trip together, we have been receiving many invitations to apply for their funds.
Prospero's story
In the autumn of 2007, a prospective donor asked whether Prospero could recommend any outstanding projects in Myanmar (Burma). He suggested that while he was interested in channelling support to the country, he did not know how to do this, or where support might be directed. Through subsequent research and following the advice of existing contacts, I was introduced to Tharaphi, a Burmese PhD student living in London. We met and stayed in contact.
When Cyclone Nargis hit the Irrawady Delta in May 2008, I received a phone call from Tharaphi. She asked to meet, urgently. She and a group of Burmese students based in the Europe, America and Asia had joined forces to set up an emergency response organisation called the Link Emergency Aid & Development (LEAD), (formerly Myanmar Burma Emergency Aid Network MBEAN) to raise funds and get emergency aid to victims of the cyclone. As Burmese nationals, they were able to enter the country freely and begin their emergency response immediately. However, they were limited by not having charitable status or an administrative structure.
In the week following the cyclone, I worked with Tharaphi to set up a charitable structure through which donations could be channelled. I contacted RAPID UK, a registered UK charity who were themselves awaiting approval to enter Myanmar. They immediately agreed to help and we put a structure in place. The benefit to them was that their income and project expenditure would immediately increase. The benefit to LEAD was that they could begin fundraising for operations on the ground. The benefit to victims of the cyclone was that they would receive immediate support as other international NGOs awaited visa approval on the border.
LEAD's new Director flew to Myanmar to begin operations. I remained in the UK managing income with RAPID UK, organising the transfer of funds to Myanmar and supporting fundraising efforts. Prospero was also able to support the development of LEAD's website which was launched 6 days after the cyclone hit.
To date, LEAD has received donations of over £120,000 including £15,000 secured by Prospero from its donors. This has been used to rebuild primary schools, to distribute clean water, food and emergency supplies, to rehabilitate ponds, to repair embankments, to provide hand-tillers, fertilizer, seed paddy and diesel to farmers and to support widows with livelihood programs. More than 45,000 people have benefitted from LEAD's efforts. In contrast, other International NGOs continue to face difficulties accessing the area.
In May 2009 I travelled to Myanmar on the first anniversary of Cyclone Nargis. With Tharapi, I was able to visit the Delta itself. There were no other international NGOs present in the devastated areas we visited, just LEAD and it was so inspiring to know that Prospero's support had enabled the projects I saw to happen and for lives to be rebuilt.
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