School and B-day Funds for Displaced Burmese Kids
Donation protected
For many years running, a group of volunteers from SE Asia have put on annual "forgotten birthday" party events for displaced migrant and refugee kids living in Mae Sot, Thailand.
This year, Allahna Brathwaite and Annie Reneau will be traveling to Mae Sot with Scott Smiley and his family to volunteer at the events being held October 12-15, 2019. (Annie will be reporting on what's being done about the refugee crisis and other issues in the region for Upworthy. The Smileys, who live in SE Asia, are friends with the primary organizer and have volunteered at these events in years past, so we know it's legit.)
A bit of background: Mae Sot is a district near the border of Thailand and Myanmar. Myanmar (also known as Burma) has been in the throes of a civil war for decades, resulting in millions of Burmese fleeing the country. An estimated 13,000 displaced Burmese children live in Mae Sot. Many of them are orphans and many of them are stateless, meaning they have no birth certificate and no official citizenship in any country. Many don't know when their birthday even is.
There are multiple international aid organizations in Mae Sot that help refugees get food, medical treatment, and education. The purpose of the "forgotten birthday" events is to go beyond the bare necessities and offer displaced children a day of fun and joy, a celebration of their lives, and a birthday party they can look forward to each year—simple things all kids deserve.
We will be visiting several orphanages and schools in Mae Sot over the three days, serving an estimated 432 children.
We know that there are many opportunities for giving, and we know that everyone can't donate to everything. That's why we're asking those who are able and willing to sponsor one child's birthday for a modest $12 USD. (Obviously if you can sponsor more than one child, feel free, but don't feel like $12 isn't enough—it is.)
$12 will provide a displaced child with a birthday meal and cake, a present, a t-shirt, and a day filled with fun activities. Annie will withdraw any funds raised here and physically take them to the organizers there when she travels in October. 100% of donations (after the small GoFundMe fee) will go directly to the kids. Anything leftover from the events will be donated directly to helping the schools and orphanages.
Thank you!!!
- Annie, Allahna, and Scott
This year, Allahna Brathwaite and Annie Reneau will be traveling to Mae Sot with Scott Smiley and his family to volunteer at the events being held October 12-15, 2019. (Annie will be reporting on what's being done about the refugee crisis and other issues in the region for Upworthy. The Smileys, who live in SE Asia, are friends with the primary organizer and have volunteered at these events in years past, so we know it's legit.)
A bit of background: Mae Sot is a district near the border of Thailand and Myanmar. Myanmar (also known as Burma) has been in the throes of a civil war for decades, resulting in millions of Burmese fleeing the country. An estimated 13,000 displaced Burmese children live in Mae Sot. Many of them are orphans and many of them are stateless, meaning they have no birth certificate and no official citizenship in any country. Many don't know when their birthday even is.
There are multiple international aid organizations in Mae Sot that help refugees get food, medical treatment, and education. The purpose of the "forgotten birthday" events is to go beyond the bare necessities and offer displaced children a day of fun and joy, a celebration of their lives, and a birthday party they can look forward to each year—simple things all kids deserve.
We will be visiting several orphanages and schools in Mae Sot over the three days, serving an estimated 432 children.
We know that there are many opportunities for giving, and we know that everyone can't donate to everything. That's why we're asking those who are able and willing to sponsor one child's birthday for a modest $12 USD. (Obviously if you can sponsor more than one child, feel free, but don't feel like $12 isn't enough—it is.)
$12 will provide a displaced child with a birthday meal and cake, a present, a t-shirt, and a day filled with fun activities. Annie will withdraw any funds raised here and physically take them to the organizers there when she travels in October. 100% of donations (after the small GoFundMe fee) will go directly to the kids. Anything leftover from the events will be donated directly to helping the schools and orphanages.
Thank you!!!
- Annie, Allahna, and Scott
Fundraising team: Annie, Allahna, and Scott (3)
Annie Gregory Reneau
Organizer
Pullman, WA
Allahna Brathwaite
Team member
Scott A. Smiley
Team member