Earthquake Relief for Ahkar's Family in Mandalay

Hello, my name is Ahkar. I’m an international student from Myanmar, currently living and working in the U.S. I’m reaching out with a heavy heart and a hopeful spirit.

Recently, my hometown of Mandalay was struck by a devastating earthquake. My childhood home - less than 11 miles from the epicenter - was hit especially hard. We lost one of our cars, and the structural integrity of the house has been compromised beyond repair. It now needs to be torn down and rebuilt entirely.

My parents have been weathering financial hardships for years. First, the COVID pandemic disrupted their livelihoods. Then, the ongoing coup further destabilized their businesses and community. Despite everything, they’ve always managed to keep going - quietly, courageously, and with incredible resilience.

Over the past two years, I’ve been doing my best to support my younger siblings' education while saving up for my master’s degree. Education is deeply important to my family, and I’ve worked hard to keep that dream alive for all of us. But now, with the destruction of our family home, I’ve made the difficult decision to use half of my tuition savings to help my family find a place to stay.

I am doing what I can, but I cannot do this alone.

Right now, my parents are also sheltering several of our relatives who lost their homes - and nearly everything else - in the disaster. Close to 20 people are now living together in our backyard, all sharing a single bathroom. Our home, even in its damaged state, has become a refuge for those we love.

If you are in a position to offer a gift of support, no matter the size, it would mean the world to me and my family. Your generosity will go toward helping my parents rebuild, provide shelter and basic needs for our extended family, and bring a sense of stability and dignity back into our lives during this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Your kindness, encouragement, and support - whether through a gift or by simply sharing this page - will go a long way.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ahkar