Our first stop was Mandalay. The local organization “ADORE Mental Health and Wellbeing” had invited us to provide training for their staff and volunteers. Fifteen people took part in the three-day introductory seminar. We offered a mix of theoretical input on Emergency Pedagogy and psychotraumatology, as well as practical exercises from eurythmy and arts- and experiential education. I particularly appreciated how openly the participants spoke about their challenges in dealing with mental health. In Myanmar, this topic is still a taboo. The participants told us that our work—especially regarding the stigma surrounding mental health—was very valuable to them. They now feel able to explain to others in the educational sector why the topic of trauma is so important in this context and deserves attention.

After these first intensive days in Mandalay, we travelled to Taunggyi. We had already held a first two-day seminar there in May on topics including “Trauma and Emergency Pedagogy,” and now we wanted to delve deeper into the subject. For five days, we worked with a group of around 30 teachers and 40 students aged 16 to 20. We spent the mornings with the teachers. The focus was on conveying theoretical foundations such as psychotraumatology and Emergency Pedagogy, but there was also room for exchange among the group. This created opportunities to ask open questions, voice doubts, and share personal stories. In doing so, we became aware of cultural particularities in Burmese culture. For example, it is not customary to ask questions openly. We therefore asked the participants to write their questions anonymously on slips of paper, which we then discussed in the group.

In the afternoons, the young people joined us. In joint workshops, we put the theoretical foundations into movement through eurythmy, form drawing, and experiential learning exercises. For me, it was very special that the groups consisted of both teachers and young people. This required flexibility from the trainers on our team, but it also created a positive learning atmosphere and dynamic within the group.

One encounter with a young participant was particularly impressive to me: At the beginning of the week, I perceived her as very nervous and insecure—her hands were trembling, and she could hardly calm down. She took part, among other things, in a group exercise with the “parachute.” In this exercise, the large, colorful, sturdy cloth is used as a playful tool to promote movement, cooperation, and trust within the group.

On the third day, she came to me in the morning, excited, and told me that she had slept through the night for the first time in a long while and was finally able to breathe easily again. These small moments and conversations show me how important our work is.

Not only during our trainings did it become clear how great the need for support is. During a visit to a village near Mandalay, one of the areas severely affected by the earthquake, we were able to see what targeted assistance can achieve: Many people in this village make their living through weaving—the heavy looms are anchored in the concrete floors of their houses. The earthquake destroyed the houses above the looms, leaving them unprotected from the elements. As a result, numerous families not only lost their homes and places of retreat but also saw their economic existence threatened. Through our financial support, around 60 houses were repaired. 

A woman guided us through the village, showed us the houses, and explained what exactly had been rebuilt: roofs, walls, small workshops. She told us that she could now work again and even save money to send her children to school. With the funds from our project, a large shelter was also built. It now serves as a provisional classroom for children from the entire village—a place where everyday life, learning, and structure can once again find space.
As I look back on a very eventful intervention in Myanmar, planning for the next one is already underway. Next time, we want to support displaced people living in camps. Many of them have been driven from their homes by the civil war and then also experienced the earthquake.

Lina Bäuerle

Our work in Myanmar is made possible financially thanks especially to the support of our donors and Aktion Deutschland Hilft.