I’ve been traveling through East & South-East Asia for 12 months. After reading about Myanmar for many years, I wanted to see for myself what it’s like on the ground and to help those in need. Through a simple Google search, I found the Mary K. Yap Foundation, a US-based 501 (c)(3) non-profit, which has been supporting orphanage children for multiple years. After a Zoom call with the Executive Director, Peter Yap (Uncle Pete), we discovered that, although he lives in San Francisco with his family, both he and I would be visiting Yangon at the same time — God’s perfect timing!

When I arrived in Myanmar, Uncle Pete and Meme introduced me to Yangon – Burmese traditional food, Thanaka (the light-colored wood face paste), and even some local friends and Expats.

As Chairman of the Mary K. Yap Foundation, I reflect on 2025 as a year where impact became clearly visible through our collective efforts. Following the December 2024 charity movie launch that brought a first-ever cinema experience to over 1,300 children, mostly orphaned youths, we began to observe positive behavioral and emotional changes during our follow-up visits across the first five months of 2025. The children demonstrated increased confidence, social engagement, and joy—clear signs that moments of inclusion and care can create lasting transformation. These observations reaffirmed our conviction that thoughtfully designed experiences play an important role in supporting a child’s emotional and social development.

The Foundation’s Clean Water H20Hope initiative was born from a simple but powerful purpose: to ensure that every orphanage in Myanmar has access to safe and clean drinking water. In a country where children don’t have similar privileges, the Foundation recognized the urgent need to provide sustainable water solutions that protect children’s health and well-being. H20Hope is not just about installing water systems—it is about empowering communities, protecting children, and giving supporters a way to make a meaningful, tangible impact on young lives.

December 21, 2025 – Yangon, Myanmar – For more than 24 years, the Mary K. Yap Foundation has stood alongside orphaned children across Myanmar, committed to nurturing not only their basic needs but also their confidence, identity, and future potential. Among all the orphanages we serve, MyittarMon Orphanage holds a special place in our hearts as the community we have supported the longest consistently. Over the past eight years, we have proudly witnessed many girls from Myittar Mon through our #HSDiploma Program.  We continue to stay connected as they step forward with confidence into independent lives shaped by resilience and hope.

December 7, 2025 – Bago, Myanmar – The visit to the bamboo treatment facility in Bago was an eye-opening experience that expanded our understanding of how traditional materials, when combined with proper treatment and technical knowledge, can meet modern infrastructure needs. Seeing firsthand how bamboo and wood are treated to withstand insect damage, moisture, and environmental stress revealed the real possibility of extending the lifespan and usability of these materials far beyond common assumptions. This approach transforms bamboo from a temporary solution into a reliable construction material suitable for long-term, multi-purpose structures—an important consideration for community-based learning facilities.

December 6–7, 2025 – Taungoo, Myanmar – In early December 2025, we returned to Taungoo, a city approximately four hours from Yangon, to complete the final phase of emergency relief assistance following the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi in September 2024. The typhoon had a profound impact on vulnerable communities in the region, particularly orphaned and at-risk children whose daily routines, education, and living conditions were severely disrupted. This return visit marked an important milestone—one year later—in ensuring that pledged support reached those most affected.

November 30, 2025 – Yangon, Myanmar – At the Culture and Creative Industries Forum, Cinema with a Cause showcased the transformative power of storytelling when creativity is guided by purpose. The session featured Mr. Peter K. Yap, Executive Director of the Mary K. Yap Foundation and Producer of the award-winning film Unbroken Ties, who took the stage to share a compelling success story of how cinema can serve as a bridge between art, compassion, and sustainable social impact.

On November 16, 2025, the Mary K. Yap Foundation proudly launched its first Sketch and Hope art program at the Galilee Foundation Church and Children’s Home for Orphan Youths in Shwe Pyi Thar, Myanmar—an inspiring milestone in our mission to empower orphaned children through education, creativity, and emotional development.

This inaugural program welcomed 38 children, who spent the day exploring drawing, painting, and imaginative expression under the guidance of distinguished instructors: Artist Than Thar, Artist Han Thar, and Artist May San.

October 24, 2025 – San Francisco, CA, USA – The collaboration  was made possible through the introduction of Monsieur Christophe Félix, a long-time French philanthropist residing in Myanmar, and his partner Valérie, both of whom share our commitment to expanding access to education.

Founded by Ms. Kim Hnam, a Chin national and Dagon University graduate, Alpha Education Center has provided care and education to underprivileged children for over a decade. Located in Twantay Township, about 50 kilometers from Yangon, the center houses and supports 18 children alongside Ms. Kim’s family, fostering a nurturing environment that encourages both academic and personal growth.