Chin Humanitarian Received Burma’s Prestigious Award

12 January 2010: The founder-cum-president of a non-profit Christian charitable organisation called ‘i Love Myanmar’ was awarded ‘Myanmah Luatlatyi Kungyi Mawkuinwin’ for her humanitarian works in the country on Independence Day, 4 January 2010.

Dr. Levi Sap Nei Thang, also known as Sapte, has been praised for receiving one of Burma’s most prestigious awards mainly presented to heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country.

Chin email groups and forums have been flooded with messages congratulating Sapte over her recent achievement and philanthropic commitment to helping the peoples of Burma.

“Our Chin sister, Dr. Levi, is among those heroes who help the poor all over Burma. I hope everyone is proud of what she does. May the good Lord continue to use her for our country,” said an email group member identified as Piangte.

Another email user named Paul Khaipu also said: “I have been very much admiring and appreciating the good deeds of ‘i Love Myanmar’. May God bless her and the team that works so hard for the people of Myanmar to be able to do and contribute more in the future.”

As of December 2008, the amount of donations and contributions that i Love Myanmar has given for the Chin people is estimated to be more than a total of 288 lakhs in Burmese currency and 32,300 US dollars, according to news posted on Chinworld.info.

In February 2009, Levi was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree by the Union Biblical Seminary in conjunction with the Asbury Theological Seminary in honour of her relief and rebuilding works in Myanmar.

Dr. Levi also founded another charity called Emmanuel Foundation & Emmanuel Charity in loving memory of her daughter who passed away on 17 September 2008.

i Love Myanmar did not exist at first as an organisation but was the name of a website created by Sapte, who was born in Chin State, in hope of posting some poems about her love for her native country, Myanmar.

In Burma, ‘i Love Myanmar’ has become widely recognised for its humanitarian works and contributions towards helping the victims of Cyclone Nargis that claimed many lives and left many more homeless in May 2008.

Van Biak Thang
[email protected]
Chinland Guardian