Eugene resident returns from Myanmar relief trip
EUGENE, Ore. - While the Myanmar government kept the rest of the world out following a devastating cyclone, two Eugene residents were able to get into the devastated country.
Curt and Cathy Bradner run Thirst-Aid, a not for profit organization promoting safe drinking water. They received one year, multi-use visas before Cyclone Nargis hit. Days later, they were on a plane.
"We've learned over the years, from riding a bike around the world, it's better to ask forgiveness instead of permission," said Cathy Bradner. "So we just never thought to ask--other than airlines please give us free baggage allowance. We just started carrying stuff in."
That's how the Bradners got crucial relief supplies into Myanmar.
Cathy says there was an unexpected benefit from the government's foreign aid stance.
"Where if they would have allowed all of us access, to go in and march in like knights in shining armor, their people wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to be the knights."
Now the Thirst-Aid team is helping villages rebuild schools and clinics and teaching residents to filter water.
