Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Back in 2020 I signed up with my good friend, Jill, as part of an all-female team, to trek across the Jordan desert, from the Dead Sea to Petra. It has been postponed and changed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it looks like we will be on our way in April 2022! I am so excited!!! It has been tough preparing for this trek and keeping motivated.

I am dedicating this challenge to my Dad’s memory, so am fully self-funding and fundraising for Health & Hope. Health & Hope is a partnership between Health & Hope UK and Health & Hope Myanmar. Its mission is to bring hope and development to some of the poorest areas in Burma, to empower and transform the lives of individuals and communities.

My Dad was born and grew up in Burma, where he spent his youth loitering around the streets of Rangoon. He never spoke of his childhood, the horrors of the Japanese invasion, of his mother’s abandonment or of the poverty, trauma, and exclusion he experienced. He never went to school but eventually found purpose in the local church and choir. In his late teens he managed to scrap and borrow enough to leave the country for a new life. He was not to return for another 45 years. Sadly, he passed away before a nominally civilian government was installed. He would be devastated to know his homeland has once again been brutalised and thrown into crises.

My original aim was to raise £3000, enough to keep Health & Hope’s clinic supplied with medicines for six months.  £1195 has already been received by Health & Hope, through this page and direct donations. Thank you so much.  

Twelve months after the military coup in February 2021, the situation in Burma remains very fragile, with many thousands forced to flee their homes. Health & Hope continues to receive accounts of extreme brutality and human rights violations, and its activities have come under intense scrutiny. It is not currently safe for project activities to take place in-country. Health & Hope’s activities have adapted to the current crises and are working with local partners to provide emergency relief along the border and healthcare to those in great need through their network of 791 trained community health workers working across 445 villages. Practical action like this brings hope through these dark and challenging times; it shows them that the world cares.

• £2 will provide a medical check-up and medication; 
• £18 will provide one person with food and hygiene supplies for a month; 
• £25 will provide shelter for one person.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. Thank you so much for your support.

Jean xx

6th February 2022