My Story – Daw Sein, Inwa

My name is Daw Sein, and I am from Muslim village in Inwa Township, Mandalay Region. On March 28, our lives changed forever when a powerful earthquake struck our area. At that moment, I was at home, while my husband and our two sons were at the mosque for prayer.

The tremors came suddenly and violently. In an instant, the mosque collapsed. Everyone inside—including my husband and both of my sons—lost their lives. Just like that, I became a widow and a mother with no children.

Words cannot fully capture the sorrow I feel. My heart is broken, filled with grief and loneliness. Every day, I wonder how I will continue on my own. I ask myself how I will survive and where I can find work to support myself. Currently, I do laundry work to earn a living, but it is not easy.

In the days following the earthquake, I began to think about the steps I needed to take to rebuild my life. As a Muslim woman, I wanted to make wise decisions for my future. But I had nothing—not even enough money to buy food or basic necessities.

Then one morning around 9:00 AM, I was called to a community gathering point. There, a group led by representatives of GraceWorks Myanmar were distributing aid to earthquake survivors. I received some financial assistance, which allowed me to purchase food and daily essentials.

Still, no amount of aid can fill the emptiness in my heart. I miss my husband and sons every single day. I have come to understand how quickly life can change, and how fragile and precious our time with loved ones truly is. Despite this, I am truly grateful for the support I received from GraceWorks Myanmar.

Even though the road ahead is uncertain and difficult, I will do my best to carry on. I will keep moving forward—step by step—with courage, faith, and hope for a better future.

Sincerely, Daw Sein, Inwa

(Photo: Daw Sein, with Graceworks Myanmar Country Director. GWM)