Donation protected
Last week we learned of the unexpected passing of our co-worker Poe Htoo. All funds collected from this fundraising will go to his wife and children. Please read below to learn more about Poe's family journey:
Brief History of the Htoo Family at Galilee Lutheran Church (Diana Conway)
In 2007, our congregation was asked if they would sponsor a Burmese refugee family. The family was currently living in a refugee camp in Thailand, after being run out of Burma (now called Myanmar) because of their Karen culture and Christian beliefs.
After some research, planning, and preparation, we accepted our first family in 2008, which included Mom (Eh He), Dad (Aung Win), and three children (Tha Blay Wah, Htoo Kler, and Ley Kler), as well as Eh He’s brother, Shee Ro.
Shortly after their arrival, we were asked to help Eh He’s sister (Beauty Htoo) and family. This family was a greater challenge, as it included Beauty, her husband, Poe Htoo, son, Moses, as well as Beauty’s parents, mentally challenged sister, Beau La, and their niece and nephew, Nana and Mango, who they became guardians to after the death of their parents.
A small but committed team from Galilee worked hard to get these families acclimated to their new and very different home, language, and lifestyle. Many others supported our work financially and through prayer. The families worked very hard, as well, and soon the children were excelling at school, the parents had jobs, and all were learning how to succeed in America.
The families were very proud of their accomplishments, and we were very proud of them. Two of their proudest moments were buying their own homes, and being sworn in as citizens. Other proud moments for the Htoo family included the birth of two more sons, Joseph in 2010, and Kennedy in 2015.
Poe Htoo worked hard at supporting his growing family, and was a strong leader in his family and in the Karen community. He held a dock position at ITU, and was able to support his growing family.
In 2016 his oldest son, Moses, became very ill, and it was determined that he had a large tumor growing on his liver. After many tests it was determined that the tumor could not be removed, as it shared blood vessels with the liver, and a liver transplant would be the only other feasible option. While awaiting a compatible liver, Moses’ health improved. It was decided that although the tumor was still a problem, it had neither grown, nor shrunk, so he would be put on the watch list, and monitored closely for any change. This is something that the family is still dealing with, and semi-annual tests and appointments are required to keep Moses on the transplant list, should the tumor begin to grow again.
So life has been challenging for this family in many ways, but with Beauty taking care of things at home, and Poe Htoo working hard to support the family, things were manageable. Poe Htoo was Beauty’s rock, and Beauty always had a smile and positive outlook, no matter what they were dealing with. Now that Poe Htoo has passed, it will be an incredible challenge for this family. We do not know what the future holds for them, but with God’s grace, and our continued support and prayers, we are hoping to see them weather this storm and find a way to continue to thrive.
Please consider a generous donation to help Poe's family!
Brief History of the Htoo Family at Galilee Lutheran Church (Diana Conway)
In 2007, our congregation was asked if they would sponsor a Burmese refugee family. The family was currently living in a refugee camp in Thailand, after being run out of Burma (now called Myanmar) because of their Karen culture and Christian beliefs.
After some research, planning, and preparation, we accepted our first family in 2008, which included Mom (Eh He), Dad (Aung Win), and three children (Tha Blay Wah, Htoo Kler, and Ley Kler), as well as Eh He’s brother, Shee Ro.
Shortly after their arrival, we were asked to help Eh He’s sister (Beauty Htoo) and family. This family was a greater challenge, as it included Beauty, her husband, Poe Htoo, son, Moses, as well as Beauty’s parents, mentally challenged sister, Beau La, and their niece and nephew, Nana and Mango, who they became guardians to after the death of their parents.
A small but committed team from Galilee worked hard to get these families acclimated to their new and very different home, language, and lifestyle. Many others supported our work financially and through prayer. The families worked very hard, as well, and soon the children were excelling at school, the parents had jobs, and all were learning how to succeed in America.
The families were very proud of their accomplishments, and we were very proud of them. Two of their proudest moments were buying their own homes, and being sworn in as citizens. Other proud moments for the Htoo family included the birth of two more sons, Joseph in 2010, and Kennedy in 2015.
Poe Htoo worked hard at supporting his growing family, and was a strong leader in his family and in the Karen community. He held a dock position at ITU, and was able to support his growing family.
In 2016 his oldest son, Moses, became very ill, and it was determined that he had a large tumor growing on his liver. After many tests it was determined that the tumor could not be removed, as it shared blood vessels with the liver, and a liver transplant would be the only other feasible option. While awaiting a compatible liver, Moses’ health improved. It was decided that although the tumor was still a problem, it had neither grown, nor shrunk, so he would be put on the watch list, and monitored closely for any change. This is something that the family is still dealing with, and semi-annual tests and appointments are required to keep Moses on the transplant list, should the tumor begin to grow again.
So life has been challenging for this family in many ways, but with Beauty taking care of things at home, and Poe Htoo working hard to support the family, things were manageable. Poe Htoo was Beauty’s rock, and Beauty always had a smile and positive outlook, no matter what they were dealing with. Now that Poe Htoo has passed, it will be an incredible challenge for this family. We do not know what the future holds for them, but with God’s grace, and our continued support and prayers, we are hoping to see them weather this storm and find a way to continue to thrive.
Please consider a generous donation to help Poe's family!
Organizer and beneficiary
Doug Roskopf
Organizer
Muskego, WI
Beauty Htoo
Beneficiary