Faraway Grains of Sand that Build the Nation
When gazin west, there isn’t much to see besides the daily struggles—war and natural disasters dominate. People are caught between conflicts and disasters, surviving on aid like food and medicine, while hoping for financial support from their distant family members. They rub their hungry stomachs with their hands, imagining a blurry future.
The three great calamities— Famine, war, and disease—are intertwined. Wars, driven by human anger and ignorance, bring death and destruction. Behind them follow the calamities of hunger and sickness. Today, these three calamities are striking together. As wars prolong, so does hunger, and along with it comes disease. People lose their homes and lives to war, while also suffering from starvation and illness.
In Rakhine, looking west from one hill to the next, all I see are these devastating calamities. It’s heartbreaking. However, amidst this devastation and suffering, there are individuals and organizations working hard to alleviate the pain and resolve these issues.
Rakhine has a long coastline, with many sandy beaches. These beaches are formed by the collection of individual grains of sand. Each grain’s contribution is crucial. For the people trapped in these regions, the collective contribution of individuals is deeply admirable.
Daily, we see donations ranging from tens of thousands to millions of kyats coming from people within the country. These donations aren’t from organizations, but from individual contributions stemming from each person’s own goodwill. Though the contributions for flood and war refugees or children’s education may seem small, they come together like grains of sand to form a mighty beach.
It’s important to note that those giving these donations aren’t just starting now. They’ve been contributing since the beginning of the conflicts and natural disasters. Whether during storms, floods, or other calamities, these individuals and groups have been giving from whatever they could spare. Their donations aren’t made because they’re well off, but because they’ve cut from their own modest resources to help others.
There are countless touching donations, including those made during children’s birthdays or wedding anniversaries. One post that stood out was shared by writer Wai Hin Aung, who wrote:
“ A donation made by a loved one from afar for the well-being and victory of her front-line protector.”
Though the donation was not large, the sentiment behind it was deeply touching. The girlfriend, from a safe place, wished for her front-line soldier’s safety and victory, offering what she could for those suffering.
Many such donations exist, though this is just one example. While Arakan Army soldiers fight on the frontlines, individuals and groups have also stepped forward to take responsibility and help in whatever way they can. Their actions are worthy of admiration and emulation. This embodies the true “ Rakhita spirit,” a term that means “ the spirit of protection.” These acts of giving, rooted in the desire to protect, come from individuals who are dedicated to helping.
For various reasons, we may be far from our homeland, struggling to survive. But the hardships of our homeland become our own. We feel their suffering. Together, we must work to resolve these challenges and move forward with determination into a better future.
What may seem like small acts at times can become great when united. Even small donations, when combined, create a large fund. Through these collective contributions, we can offer support to those suffering from floods and wars. We can help those whose homes have been burned down. We can give clothes to those who fled with only the clothes on their backs. We can provide food for those who are starving.
Just like grains of sand coming together to form a beach, we can all contribute to the nation. Though we may not be able to sacrifice our lives or leave our loved ones to fight on the frontlines, by contributing in our own small way, we can help build a stronger, united future. Soon, we will walk proudly on the prominent, elevated linear sand dune we’ve built together.