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APPEAL – MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE
April 2025
Dear all,
Sadly writing about the latest disaster with very heavy heart.
On 28 March, a 7.7 earthquake struck the Sagaing region of Myanmar- close to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city. Many of you may be seeing the horrific images coming out of Myanmar.
AID needs to get directly to the people urgently! The concern is any aid funneling through the junta will not reach out to people in need as was the case during the 2008 Nargis Cyclone and again 2023 Cyclone Mocha. And just a day after this earthquake, the junta has continued on their inhumane bombings of civilians in areas of Sagaing and Shan State.
Mandalay and Sagaing is dealing with massive damage, not only to residences and hotels, but to several ancient sites, monasteries, mosques and schools.
The scope of destruction is unfathomable around Mandalay and Sagaing, not only to residences and hotels, but to several ancient sites, monasteries, mossques and schools. Sites held sacred for centuries, collapsed in a few seconds. Several hospitals have also been severely damaged including the main hospital in the capital Naypyidaw.
Mandalay airport re-opened on 08 April so hopefully aid will get to the severely damaged areas easier as bridges have collapsed and roads are in bad shape.
Inle Lake area in Shan State:
Reports also coming out of Inle Lake area in Shan State suffering from lots of damage.
See work on the ground reported by Jochen, an Austrian living in Myanmar for 13 years..working with:
https://www.sonne-international.org/en/
Fortunately Bagan and Yangon was not hit that hard and I am relieved to hear friends there are safe, but are again feeling tremendous sadness with the situation their country continues to endure.
The earthquake was also felt as far as Bangkok in Thailand where a 30-storey building under construction, collapsed like a deck of cards. Praying for rescue teams to find survivors buried under the rubble. Many of these workers are also from Myanmar as well as Thai. Several other buildings were evacuated and are under inspection. Life has been returning to normal in Bangkok and hopefully there will not be any further damaging aftershocks. It is odd that only one building in Bangkok collapsed as it did.
Rescue teams have tried their best to find any survivors beneath the rubble. Heartbreaking stories. Many teams have already left Myanmar though, and much more help is still needed -especially to the hardest hist areas. Sadly aid and supplies handed over to the junta is easily blocked.
Below are a few links where donations can get into safe hands on the ground reaching out directly to people in need.
Donations of any amount are needed and appreciated:
Mutual Aid Myanmar- check out who this group of people are:
Organizations based and working directly on the ground in Myanmar:
Skills for Humanity: https://skillsforhumanity.wordpress.com/
Sonne Social: https://sonnesocial.org/
International Donations via Sonne International based in Vienna:
https://www.sonne-international.org/en/
Insight Myanmar– lots of updates on their podcasts and support for: A Better Burma:
https://insightmyanmar.org/donation
Follow their updates on Facebook
Kim Aris- the son of Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains imprisoned, is currently on a campaign in the US raising awareness for Myanmar and his mother who turns 80 this year. Those on Facebook can follow his campaign: Kim Aris – Htein Lin
Kim Aris is coordinating donations with a team able to reach out on the ground in Myanmar:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/earthquake-myaanmar-aid
Mid- April is normally a time of Thingyan-New Year celebrations. While so many hopes and dreams have felt lost, may this be a time of renewal.
Thank you and may the people of Myanmar remain strong!
Follow more on: https://www.irrawaddy.com
Countries that have sent rescue teams or have pledged aid:
tps://www.reuters.com/business/environment/doctors-dogs-dollars-who-is-giving-aid-myanmar-after-earthquake-2025-03-31/
Eyes of a Myanmar Migrant Worker feeling helpless abroad:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74z9l1lw9do
BBC report includes from a journalist who managed to get into Myanmar under cover–
( Foreign media as well as tourists are being denied entry to the country )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUMT0aB3cbM
What caused the Myanmar earthquake and why did it make a high-rise building in Bangkok collapse: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d4dn18nzgo
In Loving Rememberance of Guruji Anand Krishna
Guruji Anand Krishna, Spiritual Humanist of Indonesia brought love, compassion and joy to so many inspiring service to all in this world. Feeling very grateful to have been in his presence. May His Light, Love and Wisdom carry on in the Hearts of all he touched.
Selamat Jalan Guruji- Om Sadgati Praptir Astu
One Earth, One Sky, One Humankind – https://oneearthschool.org/
https://ubudashram.org/
https://www.anandkrishna.org/en/
Alam Indah Group Celebrates 30 Years
Past to Present January 2025
It has been quite the journey since early Kebun Indah days actually 38 years ago! and on to Alam Indah, Alam Jiwa and Alam Shanti. The wonderful staff look forward to welcoming you to Bali!
Click Here to see more photos of our celebration visiting Pura Puncak Penulisan overlooking Mt Batur.
Wishing all Peace and well being this New Year
Bombs and Bombs… How many more Limbs need to be Lost?
Photo courtesy of COPE Laos during President Obama’s visit in 2016 learning about the legacy of UXO- Unexploded Ordinance dropped randomly in remote Laos for nine years during the Vietnam war.
Sadly wars continue to escalate in the world which is a Failure to Humanity.
Sharing personal stories and ENOUGH of WARS
and How to Support ICAN- International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Click Here
Halo Halo Bandung- Halo Sundaland
One does not hear much about Sunda…. where is it? It’s West Java- and a long time ago, much more of a land mass that was submerged with rising sea levels. Could this have been the cradle of civilization?
Take a train ride to Bandung including a High Speed Whoosh and discover layers of history from ancient to post Dutch times.
Read and See More
Mother’s Day Reflections May 2024
” I am sure that if the mothers of various nations could meet,
there would be no more wars.” ….E.M. Forster
And also honoring Ibu Pertiwi– Mother Earth – exploring a special space on Bali.
See More
Heaven Gains Another Star
28 December, 2023
Our beloved Ibu Wayan, mother of all at Cafe Wayan, Alam Indah Hotels and to so many around the world, has left this world peacefully after enduring a long illness. Ibu has been the heart and inspiration to so many of us who were graced by her presence.
Ibu Wayan will be missed so much. May she be reunited with Bapak Ketut where her spirit will continue to shine down on us all.
On 30 January, 2024, Ibu’s cremation was held. It was a very special send off…
Click to See More
Follow Alam Indah and Cafe Wayan: www.alamindahbali.com or: www.instagram.com/alamindahubud
Myanmar Updates
Down with the Dictatorship in Myanmar- Enough is Enough!
01 February, 2021 the Myanmar Junta staged a brutal coup – much forgotten by the outside world.
It is beyond appalling and heartbreaking the situation with continued violent attacks on peaceful protesters, with continued killings of people including women and children. Homes, monasteries, schools and hospitals have been raided with beatings of medical staff. Air strikes on villages have been forcing thousands to flee across to Thailand, now also with a forced conscription of young people into the military and for what?- to fight their own people while junta cronies profit from resources. It is outrageous that China and Russia hold vetoe power at the UN while they support the Burmese military with weapons. And sadly even Singapore is harbouring billions of crony money with companies there dealing with arms shipments.
May the people remain strong and prevail!
Follow news and updates:
https://www.irrawaddy.com
https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news
https://www.progressivevoicemyanmar.org
Insight Myanmar- Blogs and Insightful Podcasts:
https://insightmyanmar.org
Sharing Memories Below
February 2020: Chiang Mai Flower Festival
Every first weekend of February, a spectacular profusion of colors and creativity with flower floats and gardens…
Abundance of flowers- a feast for the eyes in Chiang Mai
Decemeber 2019: Cruising down the Mekong in Laos
May this stretch of the Mekong from the Thai border at Houixay down to Luang Prabang remain a precious journey…
Enjoy two full days floating downriver turning off the rest of the world aboard the Shompoo Boat.
Downstream or Upstream…. Join-in or private arrangements.
See more details: https://shompoo-cruise.com/en/
where the rivers meet in Luang Prabang…
Preserving and Protecting Buddhist Heritage in Laos
Wat Xieng Thong, Luang Prabang
and a wonderful article from Buddhist Door:
https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/preserving-and-protecting-the-buddhist-heritage-of-laos/
November 2019: Greetings from Bali
Our village temple in Nyuh Kuning celebrates Kuningan Day- the end of Galungan ceremony on Bali – a 10-day period when the gods and ancestors descend to visit family shrines.
On the closing day of Kuningan, the sacred Barong Landung come out in procession with villagers paying respects. Read more on Bali NOW!- The Barong Landung stories- More than a simple Love Story
April 2019: Revisiting Orangutans – Tanjung Puting, Borneo
So wonderful to cruise once again up the Sekonyer River aboard a klotok in Tanjung Puting National Park.
Read more of the Story:– CLICK: Revisiting Orangutans- Tanjung Puting, Borneo
Hanging Out in Tanjung Puting
March 2019: Bali New Year
Village children in Nyuh Kuning gtting ready for Ogoh Ogoh Day with their own smaller creations.
Balinese New Year and Nyepi Day of Silence following the Ogoh Ogoh parades will be on 07 March, 2019.
The days leading to Nyepi- Balinese villages bring sacred temple objects to the sea for purification.
The parade of Ogoh Ogohs casts off any ill energies prior to ready for a Day of Silence and Renewal.
Elephant Love
Learn about How you Can Support these beautiful Elephants
at Chai Lai Orchid in Mae Wang near Chiang Mai
November 2018: Chiang Mai
Happy Full Moon Loi Krathong and Yi Peng Festival
February 2017: Thai Plum Village
A delight to join in the Vietnamese Tet Celebrations with the Thai Plum Village Sangha
Peace is Every Step- Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh:
” I am a continuation, like the rain is a continuation of the cloud.”
https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh
January 2016 Doi Pa Ngiem Chiang Mai
Early Alam Indah Days…
when times were simpler and slower…
Alam Indah Staff Outing to see Bali Starlings back in 2015
The staff were happy to contribute funds for another Bird Nest Box for FNPF-Friends of National Parks Foundation. Learn more about their work in breeding these beautiful Bali Starlings once nearly extinct as well as FNPF’s work in reforestation for orangutan habitat in Kalimantan: https://www.fnpf.org
