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It’s rice planting season here in Myanmar and, two months after Cyclone Nargis, many of the more able-bodied survivors are experiencing a sense of urgency to get their rice crops started. If they can plant quickly, they have much better likelihood of reestablishing their homes and their lives, hopefully harvesting rice in 6 months rather than having to wait until December 2009. Unfortunately, many things still stand in their way.

Seed is an obvious need for almost all of the farmers in the delta. Survivors who are asked to prioritize what they need help with have recently been telling HOPE and other relief agencies that seed is up at the top of their lists. Seed will allow people to secure their own food supply, and many people are expressing a preference for help to grow their coming year’s food supply over many of the other types of aid that the UN and other organizations are now offering, including shelter and food aid.

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Ashin Dhammasara — Monk — Irrawaddy Division

Sadness

In Myanmar, the people from Irrawaddy divisions are in grave danger. Nargis destroyed many villages. As a member of one of these villages, I have never experienced anything like this storm. When it came, I felt both overwhelming shock and sadness. I have deep compassion and empathy for those who don’t have food, water, and shelter. To say the least, if you look at this experience from a Buddhist perspective, it is possible to get a very valuable life lesson. As someone who has suffered greatly from this storm, I want to thank you for your generous support. I am looking forward to seeing the benefits of your future acts of generosity. Thank you.

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