Myanmar Heroes Fund
An Update on Myanmar
In 2020, JoyCorps launched a new program in Myanmar to work with entrepreneurs on their redemptive business models. But then on February 1, Myanmar's military staged a coup of the country's government, reversing years of slow progress towards democracy after five decades of military rule. It took place on the same day a newly elected Parliament with an 87% majority vote of the people was set to take office.
Thousands are protesting the military regime, participating in the civil disobedience movement (CDM) with work stoppages and daily demonstrations throughout the country. The military has responded to pro-democracy protests by escalating their use of lethal force; deaths of at least 58 protestors have been reported (AAPP). The regime is also limiting internet, cutting off electricity, and reducing Facebook access. More than 2,000 people have been arrested, including elected leaders and journalists, and there are reports of hospital lootings, evening raids, beatings, arson attacks, destruction of property, and protestors tracked down in their homes with technology.
Change From Within
Civil servants have overwhelmingly joined the CDM movement. By refusing to go to work or carry out their normal functions, they have effectively paralyzed the banking system, the ports, railways, transportation routes, and all the systems needed to run the country. In short, their protests are providing the greatest pain to the military, who are urging and threatening them to return to work. Some estimates are that 75% of the civil service (or more that 750,000 people) have joined the CDM protest at great personal risk.
While governments across the world have issued statements and many have imposed sanctions, history tells us that these actions have little effort on Myanmar's military. Rather, the CDM movement has paralyzed the state in a way that international pressure can never do. The best chance for Myanmar’s future rests on its own people and their innovative and creative movement for change from within.
JoyCorps’ Plan to Help
What role can we play to support the people and engage in meaningful ways? Currently, all three of JoyCorps’ Myanmar fellows are actively involved in the CDM movement and facing many business constraints. Humanitarian needs are mounting, as the majority of the country live on daily wages that are now disrupted. Following on the heels of the economic crisis triggered by COVID-19 and the rise in poverty nationwide, the coup adds to the economic pain and vulnerability of the masses, and will push untold numbers into poverty.
It is our desire to stand with our JoyCorps fellows and to show solidarity with the people of Myanmar. Our fellows have joined together to create the Myanmar Heroes Fund, with the goal to provide basic food supplies to government workers and other families in crisis, who are giving everything at great personal risk to the cause of democracy. These businesses will work through their supply chain and farmers to provide rice, vegetables and beans to families in need, while also keeping their farmers paid and their operations running. Both the farmers and these businesses will do this at cost, with their whole motivation to be a blessing to those facing dire circumstances in this crisis.
What We Need
JoyCorps is requesting your support to raise $60,000 USD, which would allow us to provide resources to our fellows so that they can assist government workers for the next 3 months with basic humanitarian assistance. Would you consider making a donation? We desire to respond to the bravery, the pain, and the difficult choices Myanmar's people are making right now, to stand united at great personal cost. They are true heroes in the fight for legitimate leadership.
In the words of one of our fellows: "Thank you for encouraging us. We need your cooperation to withstand this crisis. We will never accept lawless enforcement and disrupted democracy. We are determined to stand with the protestors with the same voice.”