ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Earthquakes are devastating for those who have lost loved ones, homes and livelihoods. But in times of such disaster — help can come from anywhere.

“It is important for humanity,” Lake Avenue Baptist Church moderator Soe Win said. “We, even though it’s not affected here in Rochester. But we wanted to help.”

What You Need To Know

  • According to the United Nations, the March 28 earthquakes killed over 3,800 people and damaged or destroyed more than 55,000 homes across multiple regions, including Bago, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Southern Shan, Naypyitaw and Sagaing

  • According to the UN World Health Organization, over 450,000 people require critical health services, but only about 33,600 have been reached so far 

  • Lake Baptist Church provides aid, facilitating an earthquake fundraiser featuring traditional cuisines to help raise funds for their families and friends impacted overseas

At Lake Baptist Church, they have utilized its space for not only prayer, but also a fundraiser.

“After we heard about the earthquake, especially those who are Burmese Americans, when they work they are thinking about their country,” volunteer Cing Man said. “It's kind of like a trauma that happened. I believe not only Burmese American, but also all over the world. They will feel that way.”

Making efforts to provide relief for their home away from home in Myanmar.

“We grew up there,” refugee outreach case worker Hkadin Lee said. “We know how it is over there. So when people are sufferin everybody's hearts ache. Doesn't matter how long we've been living here, a portion of our hearts are always back home.”

Already ravaged by war, families have been displaced for years by conflict. 

“I came here, nine months, only nine and here because due to the military, I don't want to stay in my country because, there's also the conscription law again,” Myanmar refugee Humphrey said. “So they are forcing you to serve in the military. So for me, I don't want to do service. So that's why I came here. And it would be better for my future. And not only for me, but also for my daughters.”

Nearly 20 million people in its community face early torrential rains, extreme heat and risks of disease following a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The death toll surpassed 3,600 people and is still continuing to climb, leaving the local burmese community to spring into action.

Being a helping hand in any way they can by not only raising funds, but also a sense of awareness of how Myanmar needs the world’s compassion and attention now more than ever.

“We have a goal,” Lee said. “You know, 1 million, hopefully. But no, I don't think so. But we know exactly how they are feeling because they came. Most of them came as refugees. They escaped from Burma for a political reason. We feel the pain back home. So we just want to help as much as we can.”

Prayer services will continue to take place at the Lake Baptist Church at 72 Ambrose St.