Episode #335: “It was super hard to cope with.” That’s how Mia Kruska, a German researcher and policy advisor with the Green Party in Berlin, describes learning about the devastating earthquake that recently struck Myanmar. Mia has cultivated personal, academic, and professional ties to the country over the past decade. Her connection began with a backpacking trip in 2014 that evolved into her academic career. She also served as board chair of the Myanmar Institut in Germany and currently works on Southeast Asia policy issues.

When the earthquake hit, after checking in on her friends in Myanmar and along the Thai border, she was overwhelmed by emotion and helplessness. But rather than simply repost traumatic images, she turned to a lesson from her early time in Myanmar: Burmese generosity. She recalls, “You have to be thankful for giving,” and used this insight to encourage meaningful, grassroots donations.

Mia challenges Western narratives that cast Myanmar as mainly a victim. She emphasizes the resilience and reciprocity of its people—both within the country and in exile. She also reflects critically on the ethical responsibilities of Western researchers, highlighting the importance of acknowledging privilege and subjective bias, and the willingness to engage with humility in collaborative endeavors.

Her message to fellow allies is clear: show empathy, offer material support, and don’t be deterred by complexity. “Even ten euros make a little difference,” she says. Ultimately, despite the many challenges, Mia concludes with an enduring sentiment: “I still have hope.”