Reports from Burma are seemingly positive at the moment. What with the release Aung San Suu Kyi late last year (2011) and the unprecedented release of 600 political prisoners in January 2012 ahead of April’s Bi-election. Reports are generally quite encouraging. The Government’s open dialogue and cease fire talks with the Karen people is all out of kilter with the ruling Junta’s historical conduct. However, it is important to remember that even with these fresh signs of life, things are still far from right. But we pray in the hope that we are seeing the start of Burma redeeming herself from the darkness that has dominated the atmosphere for all too long.

2011 was a significant year for BOP, as we stretched out and asked for monthly sponsorship for individual children at our orphanage. We are delighted now that all 18 children are sustained every month from the generosity of our supporters. This has meant a real consistency of support so that the children need not fear that any given meal could be their last for some time. They can learn in the freedom that their education is paid for, as well as walk to school with pride in their uniforms. We are so blessed by the growth that the children are showing and from the positive emails we receive from the family that look after them.

2012 is going to be an even bigger year! We have a few fundraising ideas and aspirations that may seem daunting. But we believe in a BIG God who is capable of everything and anything; a God who often works in the realm of the impossible! Back in 2009 when I first visited the orphanage, the immediate structural need was very apparent. I soon after sprung to action and we raised money to build a new roof to keep the monsoon rains out.  After this significant success, we knew then that this was only a short term solution, as the building itself was unstable as flood water had effected the foundations. Now we are looking to build them a completely new orphanage! With the support of the Message Trust, who generously gave us a £2000 gift, our ambitious target of  raising £13,000 ($20,000) to build the orphanage a new yet simple building is well under way.

In other news, I myself was married in 2011 to a beautiful bride and we took up at a collection at the wedding. The funds raised have been able to buy the orphanage a new laptop (with a long battery life! as power is inconsistent at best over there) to help really develop the children in this modern age of technology that we all live in. Pete Askew and Robin Mukherjee also ran a 10k last year which raised enough money to send the orphanage some additional money for their Christmas (see the picture  above which was taken at Christmas- their faces say it all) Thanks guys!

Looking to the immediate future, in February this year, one of our trustees will be visiting the orphanage to see how things are going so we would really appreciate your prayers for a safe and fruitful trip for him and your continued prayers for the orphans and the family. We look forward to sharing the photographs with you all. Until then God Bless!

A few months ago, the orphanage we have been helping sent us this picture. It was taken just after Christmas 2010. BOP had been able to send some extra money to help with their Christmas costs. For the first time since I have known them, the children were actually smiling! A stark difference to the haunting look of hopelessness we saw when we first visited in 2009.

Despite some fundraising successes, our journey together since then has been plagued with problems. This included 15 cheques going missing from the post office, and rejection from the Charity Commission because we could not show the adequate levels of funds that they required. Ultimately, the bank ran dry, about four months ago, consequently resulting in an email to the director of the orphanage expressing my deepest apologies but explaining we were unable to send any more help…

In all honesty, this has been a big blow to the momentum of the project. However it has proven to be an opportunity to reassess BOP’s aims. God put this project on my heart back in 2009 and since then the project has increasingly become a burden which I began to carry alone. Rather than depending on God as a source of support, I was striving alone and hit a dead end (even with the much appreciated kind help and support of friends and family). Moving forward, the question was: ‘how can we guarantee monthly support to the orphans’? It was with this question in mind that I decided to show people the difference our help has made to the orphans lives:

After visiting Burma in 2009, we came into contact with the Penial Children Home. The Children there were mostly orphans. They lacked something though. There was no spark in their eyes. Hope had seemingly diminished. That was the start of the Burma Orphanage Project. A God given heart for these children led to the creation of the project and this video. Thank you for watching

Asking people to support individual orphans by monthly standing orders has been a significant jump forward for BOP. Within three weeks, 18 people have opted to support all 18 orphans. Amazing! The orphans can again have smiles on their faces. If you would like to support BOP’s work, please consider downloading a standing order form here:

Download BOP Standing order form here

It has been a long and arduous journey, riddled with tough terrain and steep climbs. All under the back breaking weight slumped over their shoulders,  and the burn of blisters and lingering trench foot. Mike & Harriet haven’t had an easy time of it during their slog northward through some of England’s more difficult terrain. To top it off, the weather has been pretty rubbish too and the only consolation must be the beautiful scenery…

We (Rich Bradley & myself) were fortunate enough to meet them at Greenhead, twenty or so miles north of Penrith to see how they were getting on. Four days from finish, their resolve to complete the 270 mile hike seems as strong as ever, with only the prospect of it all being over soon keeping them plodding on. Their resilient spirit was truly inspiring. I really want to emphasise and in no way undermine the challenges they have faced, which have been considerable. Harriet’s request for a tube of germolene was quite telling of the damage her feet have endured!

A special thank you to them both for giving their time and wanting to dedicate the walk to orphans in Burma.

Unfortunately the “donate” option on the website is currently down but if you would like to pledge a donation then please contact us at info@burmaorphanageproject.org.uk. Alternatively check out their facebook page here.

The Pennine Way is a National Trail in England. The trail runs 429 km (267 miles) from Edale, in the northern Derbyshire Peak District, north through the Yorkshire Dales and the Northumberland National Park. It ends at Kirk Yetholm, just inside the Scottish border. The path runs along the Pennine hills, known as the “backbone of England”. According to the Ramblers’ Association it is “one of Britain’s best known and toughest”.

The walk will take Harriet & Mike 16 days to complete (walking on average 20 miles per day). It’s a big commitment and if the weather does not prevail, then things will become increasingly difficult. Burma Orphanage Project hopes to join them for a leg of the journey to see how they are doing.

Mike & Harriet are both keen supporters of BOP and our mission to alleviate the poverty of orphans in Burma. Children that can dare to have a hope because of projects and ventures like this one. Please help us make a difference to a child’s life by supporting us.

It only costs 17 pounds to feed, clothe and educate a child for a month, we would of course be extremely grateful for as much or as little as you can give.

Money can be donated through the Burma Orphanage Project’s website; alternatively cheques can be made payable to The Burma Orphanage Project.

Thank you

With the determination of mind, body and soul, three ladies will be stepping into their running shoes on the 16^th May 2010, to take on the Manchester 10k. Harriet Wintle, Nicci Ward & Amanda Shearer have never ran competitively before but have been out pacing the streets of Openshaw to get themselves ready to face the challenge…

Their resolve and enthusiasm is inspiring – this is only matched by their wish to do their bit for orphans in Burma; children with very little of anything really! Burma Orphanage Project supports those who want to go further and break through their normal limits. For these three girls completing this 10k they are doing exactly that. We really appreciate that there are people out there who have decided to step out and offer to do this.

We translate Hebrews 12 v.1-3 quite literally. I mean, what better way to show our commitment to God by stepping out of the comfort zone, and running that race with perseverance – keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who suffered all,  on a cross, because of love for the unloveable!

Let’s really get behind these three as they run, so that we can make a difference to real lives in a real way. Your support is vital and you can follow the link below to show them exactly that

Amanda, Harriet & Nicci

At approximately 9.00am, 7589 runners crossed the start line, amongst them the 50 runners who should have been in Boston on Monday and Vienna on Sunday; the Europe-wide ban on flights affecting marathons abroad.  In total 7426 finished the race – what happened to the 163 in between I can only guess! We passed a few casualties on the route that had collapsed from pure physical exhaustion and were being treated by medical staff.

I don’t blame them to be honest as we were both tempted to join them when the pain intensified to a level we had never before experienced. But the amazing support that Brighton managed to conjure injected a fuel that thrust us forward equivalent to a nitrous oxide burst in a car.

There were bands, there were drums, and there were cheers! Clear blue skies and hardly any wind made it that touch more intensive. But aside from my nipple bleeding and a mild case of sun stroke, we escaped the race with aching legs and a light tan! Before any of the pain had kicked in, there were moments of pure joy with a sense of the presence of God sitting heavy on us, or running alongside us for that matter. This was inspired from the knowledge that our friends and family were providing support and prayer, near and afar. Even the orphanage emailed to say they were fasting for us. How could we stop with all that behind us!?

But we did it! Crossing the line with a time of 4.16. But more than that, justifying all the money donated by all our supporters. Combined with the Liverpool Half – the two events have raised almost £2000. A fantastic achievement! We are sending the first payment of $450 to an orphanage in next few days and this will give 18 children regular meals, clothes and schooling for one entire month, to be followed by further monthly payments. That is what makes the hours of training and not being able to walk up the stairs all worthwhile! And we couldn’t have done it without you. Cheers!

The BOP Boys!

Our aim was to justify the kind sponsorship and support we have received. We hope the victory over the physical challenge will transcend into victory for the challenge that we find in Burma. Orphanage after orphanage is in great need. For some, not even knowing where their day to day meal is coming from. But the seemingly impossible is made possible through faith and with a little help from our friends (no pun intended). Special thanks is rightfully due to those who came to support us along the way. Big up to John Wedgwood who ran it alone and smashed his personal best, completing it with a formidable time of 1 hour 29 mins, coming 200th.

That being said, I am happy to inform you that we are approaching £2000 mark in sponsorship – this means we can help develop the project to offer the children of the Penial Children home monthly support. To put this into context: at a rate of roughly £17 a month, a child can be fed, clothed and sent to school. Which is hardly anything when you think about it! So BIG respect to your generosity!

What’s next!? From the team half marathon to a full one, Mike Schofield & myself will go on to run the Brighton marathon on April 18th. Rightfully we fear this with equal trepidation. So the opportunity to help us still stands. I figure if we can impact a child’s life for each mile we separately run then, it is all worthwhile. That’s 52 miles and 52 lives!

The children and staff of the Penial Child Home 2010

Also watch out for the ‘Vox Populi’ Burma night – featuring a film about Burma with a native guest speaker (providing he secures a British VISA) – of course prayers welcome – who will be giving a presentation on the desperate need. To be hosted by Eden Openshaw. More to come…

The Team BOP Lars!

On the 28th March 2010 we will be tackling the Liverpool half marathon, as a unified force to not only test physical and mental endurance, but to make a statement about the plight of orphans in Burma!

We will be running together to raise money for the great need in Burma, which can only be described as an ‘orphan crisis’!  Many orphanages across Burma struggle to accommodate the basic needs of a generation of children because of a lack of financial support. The Burma Orphanage Project wants to reach out to some of the most cut off, remote and poorest places. We want to impact children’s lives by creating shelter, providing food, health care and education. Our mission is a simple one. And this is where your much needed support comes in to it…

Please show support for us by clicking on the “donate” button below and leave a comment on the blog for all the runners, who include:

John wedgwood
Sam Harding
Mike Schofield
Ben Woodward
Lawrence Bettany

We hope to help people like those in the picture below – which was taken in a remote village in Chin State where a recent plague of rats is causing famine because of a freak blossoming of bamboo that only happens every 50 years. Crops have been lost and livelihoods destroyed. This is just a portion of some they managed to catch:

A Chin Village plagued by rats!

Robin Mukharjee plays to the orphan friendly guests

On October 11th2009, the first Burma Orphanage Project fundraiser took place and was a resounding success! The prizes ranged all the way from a luxury spa day for two – to the delights of a single cucumber! The night was filled with musical beats and melodic vocals, featuring the talents of Dj Melski, Tom Ward, Robin Mukherjee, John Wegdwood, Tom Harley & Nick Donovan. Media supplied by David Stinton.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved and for all your support! We were able to send just over $1000 across to Burma this month and have already received emails of gratitude; heres one we would like to share with you:

We have got the money that you send for us yesterday. So, it is God’s willing we will start making the new roof on this coming week, we will send you the photo immediately. We have been praying for you. I did not know how to thank you. I’m so thankful that I can’t put into words. May God bless you.

Zohminga

Director of Peniel Home

The brand new orphanage roof - funded by the BOP fundraiser