When we left for Ecuador back in September, the troubles in Burma, which l am sure you will all have read about or seen on television, had just begun.     While we were away it was extremely difficult to keep up with events as there was nothing on the news in Ecuador and it was only through e-mails to England that we received any information.    The current situation appears to be going from bad to worse with the borders closed and communications cut. This time not only the pro democracy movement but also Buddhist monks, who have previously been considered untouchable will be jailed, tortured and murdered by this repressive regime.We are already very concerned for our friends and helpers in Burma most of whom are pro democracy supporters.    We already have reports that two of our sayadaws (Abbots) have been detained and far more worrying that one of our supporters, who works with the street children in Mandalay is missing.   There are also reports that food is scarce and people are surviving on one rice meal a day.   Estimates at this point in time from our contacts with Burmese in exile, who have good communications with home, are that as many as 1,000 monks and civilians may have died in the conflict and as many as 5,000 are in jail or detention centres.Burma will no doubt at some stage return to some sort of order; whether this will be under the present regime or not is hard to forecast.   It is at that point that we will have to try to pick up the pieces and help the poor people of Burma.   

We have therefore decided to open a special BURMA IN CRISIS FUND to try to help our friends, supporters and of course most importantly the children.  With the festive season already well underway in Europe we are hoping that our supporters might be able to raise some money through family and friends or maybe in the office or at Christmas parties; just simply passing a hat round when people are gathered together will l am sure bring support for this tragic situation.    Any donation however small will be greatly appreciated and 100% of all funds received will go directly to the people and children of Burma.    Donations can be made through our website www.loveachildfoundation.com.

I will be travelling to Burma in February, providing the authorities will issue me with a visa and that l am permitted to enter when l arrive in Rangoon.     I am fearful of what l will find, but we will do our very best to help to heal the wounds of these poor Burmese people.Thank you again so much for your support. Yours sincerely, 

John Margetson