The real tragedy of major catastrophes is once the news channels find something else to talk about, the old headlines get brushed aside.  They Myanmar Cyclone was absolutely devastating and left an estimated 2 million people displaced.  Some of the refuges have been transplanted into the North West and when asked if we could help out with some bicycles…  

“I am soliciting donations of used bicycles and helmets. Any kind of bike, preferably in useable condition.

Bike donations will be given to families of Myanmar refugees that live up in Tukwila, WA. They are Karen (the name of their tribe) and come from a remote hill-country region where they lived off the land. Currently they have to work long hours indoors and they are unaccustomed to this sort of life. One great joy for them is the opportunity to tend their new-found garden. The only problem is, the garden is about 5 miles from where they live and they don’t have cars and there’s no public transportation and they can’t get back and forth. Bikes would allow them to make the journey.”

It’s hard enough to imagine losing everything, but then to be picked up and transplanted to a new country and culture?!  With a sense of urgency, two new bicycles and around 15 new Avenir Helmets were donated to help. 

“Ku Paw took awhile to fully understand that the bike and helmet were for him- and really his. I made sure he understood that it was a great bike and brand new…the tag still being on the bike made this clear. He went directly for the red bike and looked like the cat that had swallowed the canary as he wheeled his bike into his apartment. So Thursday it will be interesting to see how well he and his brother ride. I expect they ride pretty well, but we will find out! I have learned never to assume anything with them.

Thank you so much! You made a big difference…a lasting one.”

The Red Cross is always accepting donations to help.