Providing Prosthetics & Mental Health Support

Myanmar Cultural Celebration

The Myanmar Cultural Celebration at Glenelg Country School on Oct. 25 brought together community members for an evening of Burmese food, cultural performances and fundraising. The event, organized by Wings of Hope Global Cooperative, aimed to support a project that provides prosthetic arms and legs to people in Myanmar.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia bordering China, India, Thailand and Laos. The country has been embroiled in civil conflict for decades. A military coup in 2021 forced many residents to seek refuge in neighboring countries or in the United States.

The turmoil has galvanized the Burmese community in Maryland to support humanitarian efforts abroad. They worked with Wings of Hope to hold the fundraiser to fund life-changing medical devices for displaced Burmese people.

Wings of Hope Global Cooperative is a nonprofit dedicated to charity projects in Myanmar, Kenya, Pakistan, Guinea and Ghana. Founded by David Weeks, former director of global education at Glenelg Country School, the organization seeks to provide education, health care and economic opportunities to those in need. For its work in Myanmar, the organization partners with Dr. Khin Rupa Maung, a Burmese immigrant serving the local community in the health sector.

The celebration relied on volunteers—mainly Glenelg Country School students and Burmese community members—who welcomed guests, served food and staffed photo booths and cultural displays. Several Burmese restaurants donated dishes ranging from noodles and curries to pastries, reflecting the community’s strong support.

The program featured remarks from Weeks, Dr. Maung and state Del. Chao Wu of the Howard County delegation. Presentations followed, highlighting Myanmar’s ongoing humanitarian crisis and its diverse cultural traditions.

Performances were divided into two segments—“Melodies of Myanmar” and “Dances of Myanmar.” The first section included a poetry reading by activist Khin Lay and musical performances, including a rendition of Blake Shelton’s “Home” dedicated to family members still in Myanmar. The second section showcased traditional dances from ethnic groups including the Kachin and Kaang communities, concluding with a modern twist on Burmese dance by the Fade Dance Crew.

The evening ended with performers and audience members joining together onstage for “Man Taung Yeik Koh,” a century-old song associated with the Thingyan New Year festival.

Although the Burmese community in Howard County is small, the event demonstrated its strong ties and commitment to supporting those affected by conflict in Myanmar.

– Elieen Wu

Elieen Wu is a student at the Bryn Mawr School and is passionate about civic engagement and journalism. 

Publication from the Official Newsletter of the Village of River Hill.

Improving Healthcare Support

Providing Key Healthcare Support

The Myanmar civilian population is clearly suffering and in need of support especially the Burmese ethnic group in the exposed plain region of Sagaing. Burmese individuals have been wounded and been made amputees by military government authorities and are in need of prosthetics.

Wings of Hope Global Cooperative has partnered with two medical and humanitarian NGO’s serving the Myanmar population in need. Thus far, Wings of Hope has helped provide prosthetics to support individuals regain their mobility and independence. It has also provided funds for the health care needs of internally displaced people in the Karenni State and refugees at the Thai/Myanmar border.

Project Details

Wings of Hope Global Cooperative Board member Khin Rupa Maung has recognized the valuable work being done by NGO’s directly supporting the urgent needs of people in Myanmar.

Funds have been collected to support the costs of the prosthetics, which are approximately $800.00. with a leg prosthesis costing $401.00 and an arm prosthesis costing $403.50.