Ko Aung San Aye is a farmer from Kyon Thin village. He grows coconuts, bananas, lemons and beetle nuts. Like many other inhabitants of the area, Ko Aung San relies on boats to transport his produce, using the village’s many streams and creeks.
But Cyclone Nargis washed away Ko Aung San’s small boat along with most of his possessions. Since then he has been struggling to support his family with no way to make a living.
"Our family lost almost everything in the storm and the loss of my small boat prevented me from continuing my job,” said Ko Aung San. “For four months I was hopeless. I couldn't work as I had done and my family had to rely on donations in order to survive.
"In September, Islamic Relief arrived in our village and started to distribute food packages and hygiene kits to each family in the village. The hygiene kit contained many useful items - including clothes - and the food package contained about 50 kilos of rice and 2 litres of cooking oil which helped my family for more than a month.”
“I also received a boat from Islamic Relief. We have never received so much support before. Now I can start my career again without relying on any donations. My family and I will never forget the name Islamic Relief for the rest of our lives."