Disaster Relief for the People of Burma
From Spirit Rock Meditation Center
May 27, 2008
We are not diplomats or politicians and despite the military's promise to the U.N., we can't predict when or if
the logjam of desperately needed aid to Burma will clear. We do know time is of the essence.
The Foundation for the People of Burma has found ways to get aid and help in right now!!!
Since day two of the disaster, the FOUNDATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF BURMA has been on the ground delivering relief to
the poor, the newly homeless, the children, the elderly and all those trying to rebuild their lives.
The FOUNDATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF BURMA has mobilized its network of over 300 Burmese staff and volunteers in the most
hard hit areas, and is now reaching over 70,000 people with hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical supplies, food,
sanitation and rebuilding assistance. With heroic perseverance, the staff surmounts daunting obstacles to their work
on a daily basis. Maung Lay, a student volunteer, drove a truck full of rice to 3 villages that had almost no food
for 2 weeks. The military roadblock stopped him to confiscate the food. Maung Lay looked directly at the young soldiers
and replied, "You will have to kill me first." They let him pass and the food got through. Despite military harassment,
threat of disease, and challenging logistics, the local foundation network has brought life saving relief and begun
the rebuilding and replanting process in numerous delta villages.
The FOUNDATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF BURMA is the largest U.S. public charity focused exclusively on humanitarian needs
in Burma. Established in 1999, it had developed a sturdy and agile infrastructure on the ground in Burma long before
this emergency. As huge international aid organizations continue to negotiate with the junta for access,
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE PEOPLE OF BURMA is already on the ground and providing effective relief. The problems
are critical. The time to help is now.
Because the needs are enormous, we need as much money and support as you can give to help in this crisis. We
have almost no overhead costs, and offer a direct way to get your help to thousands of children, the hungry and
the sick. It is through the care and generosity of all of us who can that these Burmese people will survive.
To donate, go to http://www.foundationburma.org.
Please join us in this urgent and important support, and spread the news by sending this letter to your networks of
concern.
With love,
Jack Kornfield
Joseph Goldstein
Sharon Salzberg,
Founders, Insight Meditation Society
and Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Robert Thurman, President
Tibet House and Professor Columbia University
Nena Thurman, Co-founder
Tibet House
Ram Dass
Alan Senauke
Berkeley Zen Center, Clear View Project
Sylvia Boorstein
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
Gail Seneca, Board Member
Foundation for the People of Burma