Bash for Burma

It’s not uncommon here to do reverse birthday parties during one’s zodiac year. I was born in the Year of the Rat, which has come around again.

In honor of my four trips around the cycle, and of my friend Nick taking a job in Rangoon at the end of this month, last night he and I threw a bash downstairs by the pool. We raised over $2,100 for Burma cyclone relief. The proceeds are going to three Burmese-run groups that we’re sure will use the money wisely on behalf of people who are still in great need.

Two of these groups have bank accounts outside the country. They received half of the funds. On their websites you can read more about them, and add to our efforts if you wish. They are:

http://www.metta-myanmar.org/

http://www.nargisaction.org/

Our research also pointed us to a consortium of effective Burmese NGOs. Nick will distribute the remainder of the money to that clearinghouse when he arrives in Rangoon.

A few days from now, Aung San Suu Kyi turns 63 years old. The government has extended her house arrest yet again. This is her 13^th year of detention. Let’s hope that soon her country has something to celebrate.