To cap off a couple of successful weeks doing the doable with Rohingya refugees, we're celebrating and giving thanks to a group that helped to make all this possible - our friends at OBAT Helpers. OBAT has been so essential to getting Rohingya refugees the support they need. But this kind of emergency work also means that they rarely get a time to just sit, relax, and reflect on all the good work they've done. For Day 274, we wanted to change that. The OBAT health team in particular goes above and beyond in everything they do...so we met their generosity with some of our own, getting enough lunch supplies to last their clinic staff for an entire week! Then, we got everyone together to break bread - or eat rice! - drink a cup of tea, and celebrate. The team was surprised at delighted when we handed over the supplies. And our shared meal was a moment to remember, simply taking time to feel the immense amount of gratitude, appreciation, and love felt by all as we wrap … [Read more...] about Cheers to Friends

Yesterday, we met a husband and wife who finally have a solid roof over their heads. Today, we're welcoming them to their new home. This couple lost all the things that typically make up a home when they fled - like pots, pans, photos, and books. Nothing can replace these things in their hearts. But, we can try to rebuild a sense of home, one step at a time. We put together a kit that will help these two to a fresh start. They now have new cookware, bedding, mats, and to top things off, a brand new beaming coat of paint for their home. The things are everything, but they mean a fresh start. A new life. A little more comfort in difficult times. Some of the items they need to begin moving forward, while staying put. … [Read more...] about A House to a Home

Being forced to flee your home is traumatic, no matter your age. But when you're not quite as nimble as you used to be, being torn from one home to another becomes a major physical challenge. One Rohingya refugee we met is 100 years old. He fled his home in Myanmar, but the journey was difficult. He has trouble walking and needed to be carried as they fled. Once he arrived at the refugee camp, he thought he was in a place where he could rest. But now, a road is scheduled to be built through his new home. He needs to move again. This man and his wife are extremely vulnerable - with both of them having physical limitations, they needed a new home - out of the way of the road - soon. This was something we could handle. We built the couple a new house, bigger and much more soundly constructed than their current shelter. They're safe now, in a home that was built to last. … [Read more...] about Home at Last

It's a well known fact among humanitarians that sometimes the most heroic on our teams are also the unsung heroes. And that couldn't be more true for our drivers. Amanatullah is certainly no exception. Amanatullah is always on time, arriving with a smile and a seemingly inexhaustible reserve of energy! He navigates the dusty, bumpy, and muddy roads of the refugees camp with hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees like a pro. He won't ever tell you what he needs, but we noticed that he doesn't have a phone. "He's been trying to get a new phone for six months but he hasn't been able to buy it," said one of his friends. A phone is a really important tool, especially in a place like a large-scale refugee camp. And especially for drivers. They need to be able to communicate to our team and to their family when something might break down, or when there's an unexpected delay. We wanted to do something to thank Amanatullah for the dedication he's shown to us, and to his … [Read more...] about Thanking Amanatullah

Walking into one Rohingya refugee family's shelter, it's clear that their new home could use a little TLC. A family lives there, but the space is crowded. Some of the basics are missing. This is particularly tough for a new edition to the family - an elderly man who the family took in when they fled. The generosity of the family is incredible. They're struggling to support themselves, yet they couldn't let their neighbor go without a roof over his head. But providing for everyone is a challenge. We noticed that this man doesn't have a bed to sleep in - right now, he rests his head on the hard, dusty floor. As soon as we realized there was something we could do to help, it was like a light switched - OF COURSE we could step in to get this man a mattress! With a streak of serendipity, we already had some mattresses in our waiting car, en route to being delivered somewhere else. So we simply pulled one of the mattresses out and gave it to our new friend. As soon as … [Read more...] about A Sound Sleep

Mohib and Mohamed are some pretty incredible people. They've been living as refugees in the Rohingya community for 25 years. Yet they've found ways to not only pursue meaning in their own lives, but to spread hope and joy to others. This dynamic duo have been essential to getting our work with Rohingya refugees off the ground - but that's not the only thing keeping them busy. A few years back, they kickstarted their own soccer team for youth. It gives kids something to dream about, something to look forward to. We knew we wanted to thank this pair of changemakers for everything. But when we asked what we could do to show our appreciation, we shouldn't have been surprised when they instead asked us to support the people their passion - the soccer team. Mohib and Mohamed told us that although the soccer team was established almost 10 years ago, they haven't been able to purchase team jerseys! They've dreamed of showing up on the field looking crisp, fresh, and united. “It … [Read more...] about United and Confident

It's often true the humanitarians we work with pour their heart and soul into their work. They give up a lot to give to others - including their time. Ishrat is one of those special people. She works with us helping Rohingya refugees, first starting as a translating but then quickly becoming a core member of the team. There are so many things we couldn't do without her. But we also realize that her dedication has meant time away from the people she cares about most - her family. She has two young daughters and a husband at home. So we thought...what if we could do something special not only for Ishrat, but for everyone? We wanted this day to be a real treat for the whole gang. So we rolled out the red carpet and treated Ishrat, her hubby, and her kids like real VIPs! First, we picked them up and drove them to a nearby resort, where they started the day off right with a big buffet breakfast. Then, we had a surprise! A family photo shoot, so that they'll have beautifully … [Read more...] about VIPs for a Day

Sometimes in emergency situations, meeting someone's basic needs is top of mind. But we also know that a person is much more than their basic needs. Today, we're thinking about ways we can help elderly Rohingya in particular have a simply better experience in the camp. Most families who have fled now have at least a shelter to live in. But many people – and especially the elderly – feel stuck in their houses. They don’t have anywhere to congregate or sit outside those four walls. Today we wanted to do a little something that’s beyond survival, thinking about the whole needs of a person who is adjusting to their new reality. One simple way we could increase the livability of the camp for elderly refugees is benches. It doesn’t cost much at all, but having somewhere to sit outside of your home is priceless for people who have a hard time getting around. We gave 15 benches to 15 older folks – one of them was 100 years old! - so that they can use them where they … [Read more...] about On the Bench

In the refugee camp, Rohingya refugees need to walk long distances every day for firewood, supplies, and food rations - really anything they need. These needs don’t stop when the rain starts. But many of people don't have anything to protect themselves from the torrential downpours. Umbrellas are a classic tool to prevent yourself from getting drenched. We thought they might be useful in this situation, too! We got 200 umbrellas, one to each of the families that received the plants from us. That way, the families could have something immediate - the umbrellas - and then have something long term too - the food from the plants. Everyone was so happy to receive the gift, and they told us that they wouldn’t just use the umbrellas for when the rains came but also to shield themselves from the sun when they were outside. "I will use this right away," said Mobarshara, a woman living in this community. "I am very happy with this." Back at home, these communities had … [Read more...] about Rainy Season

Before fleeing, most Rohingya lived in villages and were farmers and gardeners. Much of their food came from plants, trees, and crops. Now, all that has changed. There aren't a lot of trees, and people have to travel far distances for any sources of food beyond the rations they receive. And there aren't any plants outside their shelters. A specialist from our partner OBAT helped us source a variety of vegetables plants - from beans, eggplants, gourds, and trees, we covered the gamut of possibilities. We provided plants for 200 shelters! Over time, the plants will grow into vegetables they can harvest, and they'll provide a little shade for the family. Plus, some greenery will lend a sense of home and normalcy. "I feel very good getting this," said one resident, Mobarshara, who lived in the community. She selected the exact place where the plant would be put. She had plants in Myanmar, so she feels a sense of peace being surrounded by them again. Plus, she said, the kids … [Read more...] about Making a Home