Earthquake response Mandalay
Ko Shein Aung lives in Apyinsanyar village, Innwa township with his wife Daw Thin Ma Ma and their son. For the last ten years Ko Shein Aung has worked as a painter for 6 days a week, earning around 400,000 MMK a month. Despite developing health issues as a result of being exposed to harmful chemicals in the paint he uses, Ko Shein Aung continues to work in order to provide for his family and to ensure his son is able to go to school.
Whilst Ko Shein Aung is out painting, Daw Thin Ma Ma works hard to look after their home and ensure their son is healthy and safe. Together, the couple invests everything they have in their son’s education, hoping to secure a better future for him.
After a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar in March of 2025, the riverbank in Apyinsanyar village collapsed, destroying Ko Shein Aung and Daw Thin Ma Ma’s house, injuring their son and forcing them to find alternative shelter.
With support from donors that responded in the wake of the earthquake, the family were able to move into a new home. The impact of this was that for the first time in months, Ko Shein Aung and Daw Thin Ma Ma finally felt safe, and their son was able to study and play without fear.
Having secure shelter allows Ko Shein Aung to think beyond survival and focus on his son’s future, education and building a life. For Ko Shein Aung their home not only reminds him of why he keeps going but it works as a place where they can finally dream again together as a family.
