Myanmar veränderte das Leben von Jim Connor
Im Rahmen unserer Reihe, in der wir die Menschen hinter unserer Arbeit in Myanmar vorstellen, lassen wir heute Jim Connor zu Wort kommen. Als Projektleiter von Whispering Seeds begleitet er seit vielen Jahren Bildungs- und Entwicklungsprojekte vor Ort. Seine persönliche Geschichte zeigt, wie aus einer inneren Suche eine Lebensaufgabe werden kann.
Er schreibt:
My journey began with a simple but persistent calling from a young age—a deep desire to support children from vulnerable backgrounds. During my university years, I found myself drawn to adoption and social work, though I didn’t yet know where it would lead. As I became more aware of global injustices, I realized I wanted to reach as many children as I could.
About twenty-five years ago, a “random” visit to a friend’s orphanage on the Thai–Myanmar border changed everything. I came face-to-face with children and families living in the shadows—refugees and migrants, little ones with no home, no identity, no support. In a strange way, it felt like the universe had answered something I had been quietly asking for. My purpose became clear: to open my heart and listen.
Since then, Myanmar and the surrounding communities have become my home. What began as a small children’s home and hospice for undocumented women living with HIV/AIDS has grown into two training centres in the highlands of Shan State. The work has evolved, and so have we. My eldest daughter—the first child I welcomed into my care—now manages both centres alongside me, and her daughter has recently made me a proud grandfather.
These days, you’ll usually find me at our Sprouting Seeds Training Centre working with teacher interns, or out in the village at Whispering Earth, supporting youth and educators in child development, natural building, and organic farming. Alongside this, I continue my own learning through PhD research in trauma healing, hoping to better serve communities navigating the ongoing challenges here in Myanmar.
