It's meaningful and divine to help the least: Interfaith leaders

Myanmar's Interfaith leaders came together to support an orphanage as part of its mission to help the marginalized in society.

The Myanmar Interfaith Network on AIDS (MINA) visited New Hope Center Family at Aye Mya Thar Ya in Myitkyina, the capital city of Kachin State, in the northern part of the country on December 13.

MINA interacted with the orphans at the New Hope Center Family.  MINA has 12 members from five religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Sikhism in the city of Myitkyna. 

"It is meaningful and divine in helping the least," Father Joseph La Nu, the treasurer of MINA, told RVA News.

The Catholic priest is delighted to witness the unity among different religions in reaching out to the orphans. "I am joyful in seeing the children's smiling faces in the orphanage."

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, MINA members regularly visited hospitals to meet AIDS patients to offer prayers, donations and emotional support.

"We haven't seen one another for two years," noted Father La Nu, who met up with other MINA members after the country's third wave of the pandemic.

Presently, MINA is headed by U Pyin Ngyar Wun Tha, a Buddhist monk. MINA of Myitkyina was initiated by the members of MINA of Yangon at the central office in 2019. 

MINA operates on membership collections of one thousand Kyats (USD 0.56) per member per year to raise funds for operations.

The priest also encourages people to help the AIDS patients who feel marginalized and discriminated against in society.

"I do appreciate the active involvement of the local religious leaders in social and charitable activities because they were not active before when foreign missionaries were actively doing it," said Thomas Hpan, a youth in Myitkyina.