My Moving Visit to Myanmar

Dear Friends and Supporters of the SANNI Foundation,

In this issue of our newsletter, I would like to tell you about my last visit to Myanmar and share the progress of our aid projects following the devastating earthquake on March 28, 2025. Since 2012, I have been traveling to Myanmar at least once a year to support our projects on the ground and check how the funds are being used. However, my last visit was in the shadow of a tragic event – the strongest earthquake the region has ever experienced.

Thanks to our long-standing partnerships with experienced local organizations, we were able to respond very quickly and unbureaucratically. Our partners were immediately deployed to provide first aid to the people affected. This rapid response was crucial in order to provide immediate support in the disaster situation.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to you all. Your generous donations have enabled us to act immediately and help the people affected. Your support is invaluable and shows how much solidarity and willingness to help there is in our community.

Although emergency aid has already been provided, we are aware that reconstruction and long-term support will take years. We are committed to helping the people of Myanmar to lead – as far as possible – a safe and livable life.

Thank you very much for your loyal support. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by e-mail (office@sanni-foundation.ch) or by telephone on +41 79 849 74 75.

With kind regards,
Susanne Schroff

 

My Moving Visit to Myanmar

The WhatsApp messages poured onto my phone in large numbers: “Are you okay? Are you sure, Susanne? Where did you experience the earthquake?” At the time, I was outside Bangkok and didn’t know what it was about. However, the news immediately talked about the strong 7.7-magnitude quake that struck Mandalay, the second largest city in Myanmar. The death toll was still unclear, but there is now talk of at least 4,000 dead and tens of thousands homeless.

I immediately inquired about the well-being of our partners in Myanmar. Fortunately, they had no structural damage and all staff were unharmed, but many had lost loved ones. Such news is always upsetting. They were just as quick to say: “Please visit us anyway!”. My visit was intended to encourage the local people, especially in a country that is now considered forgotten by the rest of the world.

Susanne Schroff with Dr. Thawda, who is responsible for all clinics

Despite the latest reports about dangers for tourists, I set off on my trip. When I arrived in Yangon, no damage was visible, but the pictures and reports of the destruction in Mandalay and the surrounding area reached me from all sides.

My visits on the ground serve to review the use of our funds and to see the progress we have made together. At the same time, we show the people our support and solidarity. It always touches me to meet young people who have a future thanks to our help. For example, I met three self-confident women who have become nurses and IT employees after 10 years of support.

These girls have been supported by our sponsorship program for years – now they are going their own way and are stronger.

The topic of earthquakes was omnipresent. A doctor who had returned from Mandalay reported on her traumatic experiences. In an earthquake, the first 72 hours are precarious. Until then, there is still the possibility of finding survivors. The panic among relatives is therefore understandable. Recovering bodies and the associated smell must be horrible. In addition, thousands of people spent the night outdoors as the aftershocks were still continuing and the residents did not want to return to their homes. A strong storm with rain had also set in.

The next day, I visited our Lotus Clinic, which we built with a partner in 2014 and have been supporting ever since. This day clinic now treats over 42,000 patients a year. The waiting room is full; I am pleased to see how well the clinic is in shape and how well it works. Poverty has increased in the area around Yangon, especially in the outskirts of Hlaingthaya. The people, especially the children, show interest in me and sometimes seek to talk to me, which makes me happy despite the oppressive atmosphere.

In our “Motherhouse”, an oasis of well-being, live 12 children who have no one in their lives to look after them. As every year, the children have dressed up very nicely. They are also happy to show me little performances that they have prepared for my visit. Moments like these make me feel why I am committed to helping the poor in this wonderful country!

The Thingyan New Year, also known as the Water Festival, is just around the corner. However, due to the recent tragedies, it could not be celebrated in Myanmar this year. Nevertheless, we played with water pistols with the children in the children’s home, which was a welcome refreshment in the temperatures of over 40°C. I was very touched by their laughter and joy.

Another focus of our work is sponsoring children from disadvantaged backgrounds. We currently support 520 children and their families with medical care, food and education. This year, we organized an excursion to the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda, which used to be a popular tourist attraction but is now almost empty and only visited by locals. Scott Market, which used to be lively, is now almost deserted. It is incomprehensible to me how people make a living there.

Visit to the pagoda with the children

After visiting the pagoda, we went to a nearby park to have a picnic and play games. The children had a lot of fun during the excursion, but I could also see the traces of years of misery in them. It is impressive to see how disciplined they are in following the instructions of our staff. For many of these children, our excursions are the only opportunity to leave their slum area and immerse themselves in another world for a little while. These experiences show me once again how important our support is for the children and how much we can contribute to significantly improving their living conditions.

After these moving events, I leave with mixed feelings: On the one hand, it pains me to see this country with its wonderful people confronted with perpetual setbacks and disasters. On the other hand, I am glad to have traveled to Myanmar and to have shown our solidarity with the people. I am more convinced than ever that the help from the SANNI Foundation is being targeted and is needed more urgently than ever.

Update on emergency aid after the earthquake

Since the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, the team on the ground has been working tirelessly to meet the most urgent needs of the affected population. Together with local partners, we currently have a group of 62 staff, including 14 doctors, who have all volunteered to work with local organizations in the hardest hit region. These groups are working in 18 teams in different locations where we have identified the greatest devastation and needs.

• 23,524 people were provided with food items such as rice and cooking oil.
• 2,895 medical consultations were conducted, including several emergency transfers.
• 13 toilet facilities were built in three regions – including Sagaing and Tada-O – with secure cleaning and water supply.
• Two mobile water filtration systems purify up to 32,000 liters of water per day; drinking water is brought to the camps via tankers.
• 29 general and 5 clean water tanks secure the supply in seven camps.
• 617 households received personal relief supplies such as blankets, cooking utensils and hygiene articles.