Vicki Van Horn
approximately $200,000
Funds spent in 2024
$1,900 sent to Kerala, India, to Blossom Academy - to establish a home where girls can pursue vocational training for a year. Without this training the girls have to return to their village where they will be subjected to arranged marriages and never enjoy a career or any independence. The girls are all Dalits or adivasi.
1. Archana
I am Archan come from a high range area of Pathanamtitta district in Kerala. After Blossom I want to study nursing. I like the nursing profession. My family is very vulnerable, my mother is raising me and my brothers. I wand to enter in a job as possible as early to support my mother.
2. Shivakami
Myself Sivakami. I am from Palakkad district. Our native place is Attapadi. It is really an underdeveloped village. So I wish to study more. I will complete my graduation in social work and do better for my community. Because in my community so many people are struggling due to traditional health issues. I want to give them emotional support and work for them.
3. Jayasuda
My name is Jayasudha. I am from Palakkad district. My plan is to do nursing. It's because I have a younger brother. He is always sick and most of the time he is admitted to medical college and in the ICU. We really had difficult times because of his illness. His sugar level is always high. Due to my hospital journey with my brother, I was inspired by the health workers. So I wish to study health worker course and want to support people like my family.
4. Parvathi
My name is Parvathy. I am from Trivandrum. I want to do nursing. I hope it's easy to get a job as a nurse or a lab technician.
5. Girija
I want to become a teacher. For that, I want to study a degree course from a prominent university like Azim Premji university. This is my ambitionafter Blossom
6. Ganga
I am Ganga from Pathanamthitta district. I belong to a land struggle area named Chengara. We are landless people. In our community, fewer girls study more than twelfth class. So I wish to study nursing after my twelfth class.
7. Renjitha
I am Renjitha, I am from kasargod district . My ambition is to complete my graduation and post-graduation from top universities. I attended Azim Premji University entrance test recently. If I get admission there I will do my graduation there. My second option is to study Ambedkarism and social work from Nagarjuna Training Institute in Maharashtra.
8. Krishnandu
My name is Krishnendhu. I am from kasargod district. My ambition is to become a lab technician. Because I am the eldest girl in my family. If I study the Lab Technician course I will get a job soon and I can look after my family.
9. Soumya
Myself soumya ,I am from kasargod district. I want to study nursing after my plus two. My elder brother inspired me to do this course. He studied nursing and got a job soon. So I also wish to study nursing.
$100 to Pooja Koirala to support her Socio Meds pharmacy in Kathmandu, Nepal
$100 to Edward Arthur, impoverished humanist in Lesotho, for his food, rent, and medical care
$301 to Ethiopia for Harem Women Safe House for Furniture and Utensils. Budget includes 3 Beds (including mattresses) - $90, 3 Wardrobes - $60, 1 Dining Table (with chairs) - $40, Basic Kitchen Appliances (stove, kettle, etc.) - $50, Water Heater - $30, Kitchenware (pots, pans, utensils) $30
$250 sent to Maiduguri Safe House, to provide food to victims of flooding that displaced 1 million people.
$300 to Shin Chan Orphanage in Sagaing, Myanmar - To provide electricity for 70 orphans abandoned by their families during Myanmar’s civil war.
Funding will be used as follow: solar panels so the children can eat, study, and learn. (without this there is only electricity 5 hours a day). The children will be able to study with improved light bulbs utilizing a medium-sized electrical generator. Without this, the children are using battery-operated lanterns that are costly and do not provide enough light.
$105 to Jabar Abdul Malik - ex-Muslim in Morocco who will use the funds to migrate from his ISIS-influenced region to a safer destination (Fez or Marrakesh)
$41 to Hlaing Thazin Tun for helping with an ebook on Myanmar humanism.
$53 to Peru to the Manuel De La Paz - to help publish his book “Does God Exist?”
$120 donated to Village of Hope - Kenya - for Teacher Salaries. The project is located in southwest Kenya near Lake Victoria, it was started by two SF Bay residents.
$165 to Berkeley Unitarian Fellowship Hall for fundraiser on January 25, 2025 with peace groups
$105 for insurance for fundraising event
$50 donated to Food Not Bombs - Myanmar. Donation was made through a GoFundMe set up in Mae Sot, Thailand, by a group called Make Hats Not Bombs.
$165 for Khant Si Thu - Ex-Buddhist humanist refugee from Myanmar, he now lives in Mae Sot, Thailand and he needs $ for food and rent
He says, “You can call me Khant Si Thu. I was raised Buddhist but I now consider myself an atheist. However, I’m not anti-religion. I think people are entitled to their faith as much as I’m entitled not to have faith in religions.
After the coup d'état, I volunteered in Yangon once a week for the Food Not Bomb Yangon campaign. When the military announced the conscription law I relocated to Mae Sot, Thailand, but it is difficult for me to get employment here because I can't obtain a work permit. Refugees like me are also frequently blackmailed byThailand police and Myanmar intelligence agents.”
$155 to Yahna Ekhou - director of Atheist Refugee Relief and Liberals Mauritania - so he can purchase train tickets to meet Hank Pellissier in Munich. Yahna lives in Strasbourg.
$93 - ChatGPT workshop taught to six partners, instructor was Usman in Chad
$55 sent to Thelma Munyoro - the Zimbabwe advisor, for her help in finding applicants
$100 sent to Mutual Aid Myanmar - they support the network of mutual aid organizations which have long existed in Myanmar and emerged in response to the coup. MAM infuses resources into existing mutual aid networks.
$31 to Sadiq Modu Kura to analyze and advise report from ShelterMi Safe House
$335 to Mubarak Bala in Nigeria - for fees to help him in his transition from Nigeria prison to Germany sponsorship
$70 to Esther Gyimah of Ghana for writing essays on the potential improvements if Democracy and Equality were promoted in Takoradi, Ghana and for sending in an essay on humanism.
$205 to the six Safe House & Orphanage Directors to have monthly Zoom meetings where they discuss sustainability.
$200 for Appalachia Community Dinner in Berea, Kentucky. Appalachian Free Community Meals has organized dinners for 18 months bringing together various local organizations, leaders, and community members under one roof.
Each dinner provides Berea, Kentucky, residents with healthy meals that include locally-sourced, vegetarian and vegan options, and a space for friends and neighbors to socialize. Forging social connections, building personal relationships, and weaving together a social net of residents, farmers, service providers, and institutional partners has become a central pillar of the Appalachia Community Meal dinners.
The project has served over 1,350 plates of food to more than 350 residents, including those unhoused, unemployed, retired, and disabled.
The $300 we receive from Humanist Mutual Aid Network will be used to provide meals for three months, buying items we need - like condiments, napkins, utensils, paper products, and some fruits, that are not donated.
$70 to Altaf Baba of Mozambique for writing essays on the potential improvements if Democracy, Equality, and Humanism were promoted in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique
$145 to Uganda “Caring Heart Humanists” - to fund an Egg Farm that will provide 150 eggs daily to six humanists, eight orphans, three widows, and two single mothers (victims of rape).
$60 lunch meeting with Yahya Ekhou, director of Liberals Mauritania, to discuss future partnership
$41 to Myanmar refugee Thwe Thwe Saw for providing information for 3 e-books
$165 to Myo Thet Khine - Burmese humanist needs $125 to go to liberated area and help refugees and he gets another $40 for helping with e-book on Myanmar Humanism.
He says, “I am from Yangon, Myanmar, but currently I live in Thailand. I am 21 years old.
I participated in the “Food not Bombs movement in Yangon”. After the military coup, I went to the jungle to fight back against the military. When I came back to the city I was arrested by the military. After I was released, I joined the rebel movement again, and organized activities in Yangon.
Recently, the military announced every young person in Myanmar must serve in the military. I ran out of my country to Chiang Mai, Thailand to participate in “Food not Bombs - Chiang Mai”.
Right now I am planning to go to a recently liberated area in Myanmar to help refugees. I will use the funding as the capital to cover my expenses on my way there.”
$41 to Amara Tesfaye of Ethiopia for writing an essay on the potential improvements if Democracy and Equality were promoted in Kolla, Ethiopia, and for writing another essay on humanism in Ethiopia
-$94 to Austria Atheist Religious Society in Vienna. They provide legal advice and services to atheist refugees from the Middle East
$337 to Minna, Nigeria, to pay for upgrading the new building construction for Tai Solarin Humanist Primary School (Phase One - rebuilding the foundation).
$287 to Minna, Nigeria, to pay for upgrading the new building construction for Tai Solarin Humanist Primary School (Phase Two - separating the classrooms with bricks).
$206 for Ye Yint Thit Lwin. He is Burmese humanist student activist who is presently a refugee in Thailand - he needs money for food, rent, utilities, plus he assisted with e-book.
he says, “I am Ye Yint Thit Lwin. I am a refugee in Thailand. I believe religion scares people with things we cannot see and limit the human capacities. Religion enslaves the human' mind. I was born into a Buddhist family but I started to think these issues when I was 16, and I became an atheist. I also think people who need religion to do good things are hypocritical whereas those who don't need religion to do good things are decent people with proper critical thinking.
After the 2021 coup d'état, I joined the general strike protests, the human rights movements, anti-war activity, and I participated as a weekly volunteer in the Food not Bomb Yangon movement. When the military issued the conscription law, I moved to Thailand, but I can't get a work permit here, so I need funds for rent, food, and utilities.”
$100 to Saliu Olumide Saheed for designing e-book on Myanmar Humanism, for designing new letterhead, for updating nonprofit description n wikipedia, for investigating proposals from Morocco, Mali, and Cameroon, and for sending in essays on democracy, equality and humanism in Nigeria.
$250 to Myanmar for For the People For the Hood mutual aid group - to provide food in the winter to 40 people (9 families) This photo thanks “HGC” instead of “HuMAN” because the group failed to send in the correct photo, so an old photo was used.
$100 to Turkey (Kurdish region) to Gulbahar Enc - to assist her with her work in writing children’s books.
$600 to India, to Sikkim Humanists (top photo), to teach a Knitting Vocational Workshop in three 3-hour session to the 30 residents at a Girls Orphanage. (pictured below) - the intention is to provide the orphan girls with sustainable skills they can use when they leave the orphanage. Budget includes Yarn, Bracelet making supplies + Knitting supplies, Knitting hooks, Sanitary Napkins
$100 to Usman Abubakar in Chad for leading a Zoom workshop on Shoe-Making from Recycled Tires and Solar Panel Training - that the following partners took:
Saliu Olumide Saheed (Nigeria), Moa Sara (Chad), Altaf Baba (Mozambique), Esther Gyimah (Ghana), Fatimata Hassana (Niger), and Djamila (Chad) took both workshops + Amara Tesfaye (Ethiopia) took just the shoe-making training, and Sarafina (Liberia) took just the Solar Panel Training
$650 to Liberals Mauritania, to five Mauritanian refugees who are ex-Muslim atheists living in Europe. They are:
1. Aisha Salem / Gender: Female / Age: 26 / From: Nouakchott, Mauritania “My name is Aisha. I’m 26, originally from Nouakchott, Ex-muslim. now living as a refugee in Egypt. My journey has been long and full of fear, leaving behind my family, my homeland, and the strict expectations for women. I chose to question, to think, and to seek out what freedom really means for me, despite knowing it would cost me. I live temporarily in Egypt until I travel to a safe place. I’m working to find my own path, but without support, it’s difficult. I need monthly to pay the rent and bills because I am a refugee who is not allowed to work. I get support from friends and organizations to survive.”
2. Mariem Mint Mahmoud / Gender: Female / Age: 32 / From: Nouadhibou, Mauritania. “My name is Mariem. I’m 32, Ex-muslim from Nouadhibou, now a refugee in Egypt. I had no choice but to leave Mauritania after facing extreme isolation for questioning the traditions imposed on me. I want a life that embraces freedom and independence, but here, survival is still a challenge. Your support of $180 will enable me to pay for an English language course, which will open doors for me in the future and fulfill part of my dream of becoming a teacher, which I lost.”
3. Salma Ahmed / Gender: Female / Age: 24 / From: Kiffa, Mauritania. “I am Salma, 24, Ex-muslim , living in Cairo, Egypt as a refugee. In Mauritania, I was seen as different because I questioned the narrow expectations placed on women. I am now in Germany as a refugee, carrying a weight of loss and hope for a life where I can make my own choices without fear. With a $180 grant I can take a computer course at a library and this will give me the skills to find a job online because as a refugee I am banned from working in Egypt. My goal is to find strength and stability in this new chapter.”
4. Ahmed Mbarek / Gender: Male / Age: 29 / From: Atar, Mauritania. “I am Ahmed, 29, from Atar, Gay, Ex-muslim. I came to Egypt because I wanted to escape the restrictive beliefs that govern every aspect of life back home. But exile is tough, and building a new life here in Cairo has come with its own challenges because I am a refugee here. I feel lost between a world that doesn't want me to have my own identity , yet I am determined to create something meaningful. Your support will help pay the rent for a month for the safe place I live in now.”
5. Issa Bilal / Gender: Male / Age: 28 / From: Rosso, Mauritania. “My name is Issa, ex-slave, secular. I am 28 years old. Since I escaped to Egypt, I’ve found it hard to connect with the local community, and being far from home feels overwhelming. Back in Mauritania, I left behind a life where questioning was forbidden, but here, I can barely afford to survive while rebuilding myself. With a $180 grant, I could start bike repair training for one month. I’ve always been good with my hands, and this would allow me to earn an income and connect with people in my new home. This grant would be a step toward self sufficiency and dignity.”
$165 to Pan Pan - he is a humanist ex-Buddhist from Yangon (Myanmar) who is currently a refugee in Mae Sot, Thailand. He needs $ to survive while he seeks employment
He says, “I was born into a Buddhist society. For me, there is no God, only social justice. The religious people in the Myanmar clerical class have been swayed by corrupt, power hungry, hate mongering politicians. I believe that instead of donating money to build Buddha statues with gold, it’s more important to feed refugees and homeless people. Religions also cause wars. This is why I am an atheist.
I was a volunteer organizer for Food Not Bomb Yangon movement and I took part in the revolution against the military junta after the coup d'état. I relocated to Mae Sot (Thailand) following the military's announcement of the conscription law.
Since I’m staying here illegally in Thailand, I still can't obtain a work permit. I’m currently trying to organize a “Books not Bombs” movement in the refugee camps near Thai-Myanmar border to help children in the refugee camps gain access to proper education.
I will spend the $120 on rent, food, and utilities.”
$65 for Zin Min, ex-Buddhist refugee (from Myanmar)
He says, “I was born and raised as a Buddhist. I used to read a lot on astronomy and science around 2009. With all the knowledge I got from those books and for the below reasons, I became an atheist around 2014.
• Science Books spark a curiosity in my mind to observe the realities as it is without holding dogmatic faiths.
• Most of the scientific theories are rational and far more useful to me than the answers from the religions.
• With the access to internet, I've become more and more convinced to atheism for its materialistic explanations.
After the conscription law, I flee to a small city near Thailand-Burma border. I didn't even have the financial power to cover the transportation fees. So, I had to ask from my friends to lend me some money. With the funding I receive, I will pay back some money I borrowed with $80USD and will use the rest to cover basic needs. The rest $40USD will be able to cover my food and general cost for 3-5 days.”
$220 to Uganda - to ShelterMi Safe House - support for their community garden
-$70 to Fatimaa Hassana in Niger Republic for writing essays on democracy, equality, and humanism.
$125 for Chan Lin - ex-Buddhist refugee needs $ for rent, basic needs, and work permit
He says, “My name is Chan Lin, and I am 20 years old. Originally from Yangon, I successfully passed the Matriculation Examination. However, due to the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, I have been unable to pursue a university education.
I was raised in a Buddhist family, but my journey towards atheism began at the age of 17. After studying historical religious conflicts such as the Crusades, I came to the realization that many wars throughout history have been fueled by religious differences. I believe that religious and ethnic disparities, particularly in regions like the Middle East and Asia, are significant causes of conflict. Historically, people have coexisted before the advent of organized religions. By prioritizing our shared humanity over religious identities, I believe we can achieve peaceful coexistence. This belief led me to embrace atheism.
Presently, I am residing in Bangkok with some friends in a small apartment. Unfortunately, due to my lack of government-recognized legal documentation in Thailand, my security is at risk, making it extremely difficult for me to secure employment.
If granted your assistance, I intend to use half of the $120 to cover my rent and living expenses. The remaining amount will be allocated towards obtaining legal documentation.”
Chan Lin +66945382010
$57 for book written by HuMAN VP Jesse Smith PhD and regular contributor Ryan Cragun PhD
$150 to Usman Abubakar for consultation with Ethiopia partner on solar panels, consultation with Uganda partner on farming, sending in essays on development, democracy, and humanism, and for organizing others to send in essays
$39 to Myanmar for Thiha Min Saw - ex-Hindu-Buddhist needs money for food and basic needs
He says, “I was born into a Hindu-Buddhist family. I was a devout Buddhist Hindu when I was young. I even stayed in a monastery as a young novice and I studied to become a monk.
Around 2015, I met some friends who broadened my horizons. I became an atheist and I moved out of the monastery. I was kicked out of my home for becoming non-religious. I tried to rent a room in a house, but the landlord wouldn't allow me to stay because I am an atheist.
Since 2017, I have been critical of the Rohingya genocide by the government. In 2020, I started participating in Food Not Bombs Dawei and Free Shop Dawei. My belief in mutual aid became stronger and stronger. After the 2021 coup, I was shot by 13 rubber bullets by the police and was declared a political criminal by the military junta.
I am now short on funding to cover my rent and basic necessities.”
$50 to Esther Gmiyah in Ghana to teach Zoom workshops on vermiculture and digital marketing
$103 to Myanmar for Yair Bo - ex-Buddhist refugee needs $ for his pregnant wife plus he is helping with e-book
He says, “I have witnessed corruption and exploitation by religious leaders and as a result, I became a humanist.
Due to security concerns following the coup and the passing of the conscription law earlier this year, I was forced to flee Burma illegally, leaving behind my pregnant wife. The challenges I now face living in Thailand without a job have only added to the weight on my shoulders.
With my wife expecting our child in just a few months, I am deeply worried about her well-being, especially as I may not be able to afford her medical expenses related to the pregnancy. I hope you can offer support during this critical time in helping me care for my wife and ensure a safe delivery for our child.”
$285 for two Free Food Pantries in Berea, Kentucky.
Appalachian Community Meal says, “We launched the Free Food Pantries project to address severe food scarcity in Berea, Madison County, Kentucky.
With contributions from Humanist Mutual Aid Network, ACM installed 5 street-side dry food pantries. They provide non-discriminatory, barrier-free, and consistent access to food and encourage residents/neighbors to share readily with each other and those in need.
Homeowners have volunteered to host these pantries on their property and help maintain them.
Two more installations are pending with a list of requests from still more Berea community members, as well as requests from neighboring counties and states as far away as West Virginia.
We enlisted the aid of artists and others in the community to help install and beautify the 5 pantries.
The project has been embraced by the community, as evidenced by their frequent use and media coverage, as well as easily searchable references in local forums.
It is estimated that the five pantries together see several hundred pounds of non-perishable food shared each month.
Volunteers painted murals on the pantries to enhance their visibility and appeal, which has helped to foster a sense of pride and ownership within the community.
The $300 we will receive will allow us to build, stock and install two more free pantries.”
NEWS COVERAGE
https://www.richmondregister.com/news/appalachian-community-meals-in-berea-free-food-for-e veryone/article_ae20ceee-b169-11ed-89eb-878bccd140bc.html
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/nae21GRB2wwqWzXo/?mibextid=oFDknk
https://fox56news.com/news/local/barrier-free-pantries-pop-up-throughout-berea/
https://www.richmondregister.com/news/acm-installs-new-dry-food-pantries-across-berea/article 2260d397-8c01-51e1-a4e2-33ec0c6ad213.html?utmcampaign=blox&utm_source=facebook& utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR0oWZy6MBtbofgYLc7SQa3zqRXUNks7OPwMOo4x-qZKolRY vabyV59YXmg
$65 to Kaung Myat from Yangon. He says, “I was born into a Muslim family and was raised a Muslim children. By the time, I finished my high school, I was told to enroll into a reformed religious school that follows the Quranist/modernist sect of Islam. I studied all the subjects there. I was almost to become a religious leader (imam) at a religious reformist Quranist sect.
I was instructed to write an assignment on a topic related to Quranism and the five pillars of Islam. There, I thought of why I should worship and have a faith on Allah. When I thought of it seriously, I ended up having no reason. I started to develop doubts on religious teachings since I was 17 years old.
I considered myself a freethinker within religious community till 2019. I considered myself an atheist since 2019. After the coup, I suffered fiscal crisis given the national Covid crisis and the coup. My mother suffered serious health setback due to my drug addiction.
I am also trying to seek medical assistance with my post drug rehab programs. The funding I received will be used for my post drug rehab programs and the medical costs for my mother.”
$65 to Yay Chan Sin - a grassroots organization in Yangon, Myanmar, that was founded in May, 2023. It promotes fair access to wholesome food for all communities and its core tenet is that every person has an equal right to food, education, and prosperity. Hunger and a lack of education are two major obstacles faced by the millions of impoverished and homeless children that inhabit Burma.
These funds will provide 160 healthy meals to homeless children. (40 children four times a week) The meals are rice, eggs, and vegetables.
$50 to Manual Paz y Minos for his advice in finding atheists in Colombia
$165 to Saw Moo Khoo for medical supplies to help refugees
He says, “I am a traditional Christian of Karen Ethnic descent. Over the years, I have grappled with questions of faith and the suffering faced by our tribe, which has endured generations of oppression, poverty, and conflict. After the military coup in 2021, I left my home to provide medical assistance to those who have fled the civil war in Burma.
The need for medical supplies is crucial in our effort. Any financial help would be greatly contribute to making a positive impact on the lives of those affected by conflict.”
$200 for nine partners to take Zoom classes on Digital Marketing and Vermiculture. Not pictured are Altaf Baba of Mozambique, and Noura and Djamila in Chad
$165 to Myint Mo - ex-Muslim refugee hiding from Myanmar military, for rent and food.
He says, “I am a 23-year-old individual from a traditionally Islamic background, I have faced immense challenges and hardships due to my divergence from the strict religious beliefs upheld by my family and community.
After leaving home to escape the oppressive environment and ideological differences, I found myself embroiled in the turmoil caused by the military coup in Myanmar. As a passionate supporter of democracy and human rights, I have actively participated in protests against the coup, leading to a warrant being issued against me by the military.
For over two years, I have been on the run, evading the military's efforts to apprehend me. Recently, I had to seek refuge in an ethnic area beyond the military's control in search of safety. However, the sudden evacuation has left me in a precarious situation, lacking the resources to afford basic necessities such as rent and food.
I am currently in desperate need of financial assistance to cover my living expenses until I can secure employment in my new location. Despite the challenges I face, I remain committed to supporting the pro-democracy movement and advocating for freedom and justice in Myanmar.
Your help would make a significant difference in ensuring my well-being during this challenging period. Any support you can provide would be immensely appreciated and would go towards ensuring that I have a roof over my head and food on the table as I strive to rebuild my life in this new environment.
Thank you for considering my situation, and I am grateful for any assistance you can offer during this critical time.”
$71 to Sarafina Jernora for her essays on equality, democracy and humanism in Liberia
$56 to Thwee Thwee Tin Saw and Ye Yin Thit Lwin to start a tshirt printing business.
Venus Van Thug - ex-Christian Myanmar refugee — needs $50 for food & hypertension medicine
She says, “My name is Venus Van Thug, and I am a Chin Nationality woman who previously served as the Headmaster of a High School in Myanmar. Since the military coup in 2021, I have been working as a volunteer teacher at the Federal School for Burmese people in Mae Sot, Thailand.
I once was a Christian but after I faced a lot of struggle and I saw a lot of people are dying in Civil War. so I asked if god exist, why he still ignoring our struggles. and I saw that religions are just an opium of the masses. and I became an atheist.
The coup forced me to flee my home country, and I have since dedicated myself to educating displaced children in Thailand. My transition from Christianity to atheism stemmed from a profound recognition that many conflicts, including wars, are often driven by religious differences. This belief fuels my commitment to promoting education and critical thinking among Burmese youth, offering them a chance at a peaceful and enlightened future.
However, the financial strain of living in exile has made it increasingly difficult to sustain my efforts. I am currently struggling to cover my living expenses, rent, and medical needs. I suffer from hypertension, which necessitates regular medication that I cannot afford without external support.
I am reaching out to request your financial assistance to help cover these essential expenses. Your generous contribution will enable me to continue my educational mission and manage my health effectively. By supporting me, you are also investing in the future of many young Burmese students who rely on the stability and education we provide.
And I'm sorry for my unclear photo quality because my phone was broke recently and I don't have enough money to repair this.
Thank you for considering my request. Your support would make a significant difference in my life and the lives of the students I serve.”
Sincerely,
Venus Van Thug
Volunteer Teacher
Federal School of Burmese People
Mae Sot, Thailand
Mel Ngai — ex-Christian Myanmar refugee - needs $90 for rent and food
She says, “My name is Mel Ngai, and I am a 31-year-old Rawang Nationality woman. I am writing to request your financial assistance during a very difficult time in my life.
I am an ex-Christian who became an atheist, driven by my quest for truth and justice. In 2021, I actively protested against the military coup in Burma, advocating for democracy and human rights. Unfortunately, my activism led to my arrest on April 24, 2021. During my imprisonment, I endured severe torture and faced sexual harassment, which left deep scars both physically and mentally.
After nearly three years of suffering, I managed to escape from prison on February 4, 2024, and fled to Mae Sot, Thailand. Since then, I have been struggling to rebuild my life. I am currently unemployed and facing significant financial difficulties. Without a stable income, I am unable to afford basic necessities such as rent, food, and mental health treatment.
I am reaching out to request your support to help cover my living expenses for the next few weeks. Your generous contribution will provide me with the means to pay for my rent and food, and also allow me to continue receiving the mental health treatment I desperately need to recover from the trauma I experienced.
Your assistance would be a beacon of hope during this challenging period and would greatly enhance my ability to regain stability and rebuild my life.
Thank you for considering my request. Any support you can provide would be deeply appreciated.”
Sincerely,
Mel Ngai
Mae Sot, Thailand
mngaidu120@gmail.com
064522354
$42 to Zwel Khant for helping with the e-book
Htet Thiri - ex-Buddhist humanist refugee - needs $45 for living expenses
She says, “My name is Htet Thiri, and I am reaching out to seek your financial support during a challenging time in my life.
I am an atheist, a belief I came to after a profound and personal journey from my previous faith as a Buddhist. My transition from Buddhism to atheism was driven by my growing awareness and discomfort with the sexism I observed within the religious practices and teachings. Seeking a belief system that aligned with my principles of equality and justice, I embraced atheism. This shift, while deeply fulfilling on a personal level, has also brought significant challenges, especially in a society where religious beliefs are deeply entrenched.
During the military coup in Burma, I stood among those who protested for democracy and human rights, risking my safety and well-being. My activism forced me to flee my home, and I now reside in Mae Sot, Thailand. Here, I keep studying my lecture to became an educated person.
I thought a lot of problems in Burma are just because lack of education. if I were Educated enough, I can share a lot of progressive thoughts and views to people around me.
I am reaching out to request your financial support to help cover my living expenses, educational materials, and other essential needs. Your generous contribution will not only assist me in my immediate circumstances but will also enable me to continue my studying need stability and education.
Thank you for considering my request and for any assistance you can provide.”
Warm regards,
Htet Thiri
htetthiri12134@gmail.com
Sir Eric - ex-christian humanist refugee - needs $165 for living expenses
He says, “My name is Sir Eric, and I am reaching out to seek your financial support during a challenging time in my life.
I am an atheist, a belief I came to after a long and personal journey from my previous faith as a Christian. My transition from Christianity to atheism was driven by a quest for truth and understanding, leading me to embrace a worldview grounded in reason and evidence. This shift, while deeply fulfilling on a personal level, has also brought significant challenges, especially in a society where religious beliefs are deeply entrenched.
During the military coup in Burma, I stood among those who protested for democracy and human rights, risking my safety and well-being. My activism forced me to flee my home, and I now reside in Mae Sot, Thailand. Here, I serve as a volunteer teacher at the Federal School for Burmese people, dedicated to providing education and hope to displaced children.
Teaching at this school is more than just a job for me; it is a mission to empower the next generation of Burmese youth, offering them a chance at a better future despite the turmoil they have endured. However, the financial strain of living in exile has made it increasingly difficult to sustain my efforts.
I am reaching out to request your financial support to help cover my living expenses, educational materials, and other essential needs. Your generous contribution will not only assist me in my immediate circumstances but will also enable me to continue my work with these children who desperately need stability and education.
Your support would mean the world to me and to the many young students whose lives I am striving to improve. Thank you for considering my request and for any assistance you can provide.”
Warm regards,
Sir Eric
Volunteer Teacher,
Federal School of Burmese People
Mae Sot, Thailand
sireric210@gmail.com
$41 to Hein Htet Kyaw for helping with ebook
Aye Mya - ex-Buddhist humanist refugee - needs $65 for living expenses
She says, “My name is Aye Mya, and I am currently living in a refugee camp in Thailand, where I have been working as an unpaid volunteer teacher for Burmese and Karen children.
I have faced numerous challenges throughout my life, including gender-based discrimination within a conservative Buddhist environment and, more recently, the oppressive actions of the Burmese military following the 2021 coup. In response to these injustices, I have been actively involved in protesting against the military coup, which has led to increased risks and challenges for those of us opposing the regime.
Due to my status as an unpaid volunteer teacher, I am currently experiencing significant financial difficulties. I am struggling to afford basic necessities such as rent and living expenses, as well as essential teaching supplies for my students. Your support would make a tremendous difference in enabling me to continue my work with these children and provide them with the education they deserve.
Any assistance you are able to provide would be greatly appreciated and put to good use towards covering my living expenses and purchasing teaching supplies for the children in the refugee camp. Your generosity will not only support me but also contribute to the education and well-being of the Burmese and Karen children under my care.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my situation. I am grateful for any help or support you may be able to offer.”
Warm regards,
Aye Mya
ayemyamyacho21@gmail.com
Chai Yee - ex-Buddhist humanist refugee - needs $165 for living expenses
He says, “My name is Chal Yee, and I am reaching out to you for assistance during a challenging period in my life.
Having been raised in a Buddhist family in Myanmar and later transitioning to atheism, I found myself grappling with my beliefs and facing opposition from my family due to their support of the Burmese Military. This conflict ultimately led me to leave my home in the midst of the current political unrest in my country, a decision that has presented both obstacles and opportunities for personal growth.
Currently employed as a part-time marketing assistant, I am navigating the financial challenges brought about by hyperinflation in Myanmar. Despite these difficulties, I remain dedicated to supporting my community, albeit with limited financial means at present.
I humbly seek your support to help cover my rent for the upcoming months and meet my basic living expenses. Any assistance you could offer would be sincerely appreciated and would significantly alleviate the financial burdens I am currently facing.
Thank you for considering my situation and for your potential support during this trying time.
With warm regards,
Chal Yee
cytoe23221@gmail.com
-$83 tshirts, sweaters, hats, long-sleeved t-shirts send to South Sound Street Medics in Washington State. Includes 10 screen-printed tshirts RACCOON and We Are Ungovernable t-shirts, that the indigenous elders like - plus postage
$30 for HuMAN checks
$158 for Rishvin Ismath, Sri Lanka atheist activist who is currently hiding in asylum. He needs money for food and rent. (Do not display this photo for security reasons)