The 2020 Myanmar Pilgrims have hit the road!

In February 2020, just as COVID-19 was starting to spread around the world, a group of supporters joined ABM’s pilgrimage to Myanmar…and it was life-changing.

Now, some of those pilgrims are putting their passion for the Myanmar people – and their own creativity – to work. The group, which includes Colin Bannerman, Lyn Bannerman, Tony Naake and Paul Lee, has established a traveling fundraising “roadshow” to highlight the plight of the Myanmar people and to raise much needed funds for Anglicans in Development’s Myanmar Emergency Appeal.

Tony, who completed his personal fund-raising challenge, raising $50,000 for the Myanmar WASH program in December 2020, is delighted to be part of this new initiative. He remarked, “We would rather be raising funds for AID’s Sustainable Agricultural Project and more WASH Programs but giving basic aid to the Burmese people who have lost their livelihoods through COVID-19 and the military coup is now our top priority”.

It is the group’s aim to take the “Myanmar Roadshow” to as many churches as physically possible! At each Roadshow participants will hear first-hand illustrated stories from the pilgrims, supported by a slide show detailing ABM and AID’s work and programs in Myanmar. They will enjoy a supper of authentic Myanmar food cooked by Colin, with wine or fruit juice. All the food and wine has been donated by the pilgrims so there is no cost to ABM/AID; and all funds raised go directly to the appeal.

The first “show” was held at Christ Church St Laurence, Sydney, on Sunday 22 May after evensong. About 50 participants were greeted by the pilgrims who braved the cold and wore traditional Burmese attire including the longyi, a cloth sewn into a cylindrical shape worn around the waist. Traditional music set the scene along with a display of Burmese artifacts and tropical fruits. After the welcome drinks, presentation, supper and questions, facilities were available to receive donations for the tax-deductible Myanmar Emergency Appeal via cash or credit card. The evening raised $6,000 for the Appeal. One participant said, “This is the best way to get Anglicans and ABM supporters together: good food, wine and a chat!”

The second event was held following an ecumenical Taize service on Pentecost Sunday at Holy Cross Church, Hackett, in the ACT. It followed a similar format and raised only slightly less than the first – a great outcome, considering it was a rather chilly Canberra evening.

A generous ABM/AID benefactor is matching dollar for dollar for the first $2,000 of donations received at all the Myanmar information evenings!

Stay tuned, a “Myanmar Roadshow” could be coming to a venue near you soon!

It is the pilgrims’ wish that one day when they hit the road it will be to Mandalay!

To learn more about our Myanmar Emergency Appeal, or to make a tax-deductible donation, go to www.abmission.org/Myanmar