Fauquier residents raise victims' profile
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Fauquier residents raise victims' profile
I read with great interest the letter from Rachel Ryon, "Keep tabs on Burma," in your June 17 issue. Her stories about residents of Mae La, one of many Burmese refugee camps located on the Thailand/Burma border, were similar to those related by a Nokesville resident who currently serves as a field coordinator for Farthest Corners in Thailand and Burma.
This field coordinator (who must remain nameless for fear of retribution) first learned of the plight of the Burmese people on a mission assignment in Thailand. As a result of his experience he came home on furlough and described what he had learned to a group of churches and groups in the area. Convinced that he was being led to take up the cause of the internally displaced Burmese, he enlisted a team of local people to form a non-profit foundation to raise money for humanitarian aid.
Farthest Corners was established as a 501 (c) 3 foundation in 2006. Since that time thousands of dollars have been sent to the field coordinator who works with Burmese nationals to purchase and deliver medical aid, food and educational supplies to the Burmese people who must live in hiding from the Burma army.
In addition, Farthest Corners established and supports an orphanage inside Burma that cares for 50 children. A rice field was recently purchased that will feed the children and staff as well as nearby villagers.
Farthest Corners also puchased two weaving looms for one of the camps. Several refugees create garments, bags, table runners, scarves and other items for sale in the camps and to mission organizations. Proceeds go back into the project and provide money for food and other needs of the refugees.
More than a month ago Cyclone Nargis hit the Irawaddy delta region of Burma. Within a week following the disaster Farthest Corners, working with Burmese nationals, succeeded in getting relief supplies into the delta region when world organizations failed. The Burmese nationals did not wait to negotiate with the Burma army; they used well-established methods in use for almost 50 years to deliver relief supplies to their fellow citizens.
Farthest Corners is a small, infant organization that is using the resources donated by local churches, groups and individuals to reach out to the long-suffering people of Burma. Our goal is to help the Burmese people help themselves. With God's help we plan to continue to let them know that they are not forgotten.
Farthest Corners will host a "Benefit for Burma" Saturday, July 12 at 7 p.m. at Greenwich Presbyterian Church, 15305 Vint Hill Road, Nokesville, Va. Fitzmaurice, a band of fine young entertainers, will perform outstanding bluegrass and gospel music. There will also be a report on relief efforts to the Irawaddy delta.If you have wondered about how to help the scores if Burmese who have yet to see any relief supplies in their villages, come join us for a special evening. Call 540-347-7819 for additional information or go to www.farthestcorners.org.
Becky Whitelock
Warrenton, VA
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