Dispatches

Orphans of Burma's Cyclone

Watch this episode now on 4oD Orphan children in Burma

As Burma's pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, faces trial by the country's military government, this timely and remarkable Dispatches film follows the lives of eight Burmese orphans as they struggle to survive the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.

Filmed covertly over the course of a year by two Burmese cameramen, who risked an instant 30-year jail sentence if caught, Orphans of Burma's Cyclone exposes the official intransigence of one of the world's most brutal and secretive regimes and, for the first time, reveals what day-to-day life is like for the ordinary people of Burma.

Clips from Orphans of Burma's Cyclone

On TV

First Shown

Date Time Channel
Monday 01 June 2009 8PM Channel 4

Last Shown

Date Time Channel
Saturday 06 June 2009 4AM Channel 4

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Comments

  1. I would foster adopt some burmesse families i have had breast cancer and want to give something back. Marian
    Posted by Marian Flannery on 06/06/2009 04:29:12
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  2. What an amazing and moving documentary, I was utterly heartbroken by the conditions those poor children had to endure, not only suffering the loss of their family but the complete indifferency of the military govt was a disgrace to humankind. I would love to help to ensure funds are received directly to the orphans in need, please let me know the best way of doing this? Well done Ch4, this is the sort of documentaries we should be seeing more of. Thank you.
    Posted by Fran on 04/06/2009 13:44:21
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  3. I am so pleased that these issues are finally being raised. These children have been completely forgotten. For ways to help please see http://www.thaichildrenstrust.org.uk/projects/Refugee
    Posted by Ruth Flanagan on 04/06/2009 12:50:51
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  4. I have been deeply effected by this programme. As a parent I cannot imagine my 5 year son being left to fend for himself should something happen to myself or my husband. I am so shocked that this is aloud to continue in this day and age, the generals of Burma should be brought up in front of the UN on charges of Genocide they are allowing their own people to die for their own self gain. We need to help these children. Well done to the whole team involved in this programme.
    Posted by Brianan Johnson on 04/06/2009 10:05:17
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  5. In this day and age its is amazing that these corrupt government run countries are aloud to let this happen and the so called big powers like ourselves(apart from Charities and aid organisations) are doing nothing to overthrow the Burma's corrupt government, but we can still invade Iraq to steel their oil for are greedy needs, think out much the military campaign as cost and instead of going to war how this money could be used, well done to the Burma's cameramen who risk everything to make this film possible
    Posted by Gareth on 04/06/2009 01:20:31
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  6. We are very much moved by your programme, my humble thanks to the team who risk their safety to film this document Please let us know the name/location of this village in Burma, would like to help the village monastry and the children. We feel that these children need help urgently Thanks
    Posted by Khin on 03/06/2009 19:56:46
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  7. To those who asked about finding out more about the Burmese orphans, please look at our Helpline page http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/articles/helping-burma Thank you for your comments.
    Posted by Website team on 02/06/2009 12:47:53
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  8. Please - can I buy a DVD of this programme? I have watched it. It is soul-wrenching. My (U.K.) Village Church and our Village School are about to begin supporting an orphanage in Burma. I would like to show this programme to the ADULTS involved just to give them an idea of the situation in Burma. I was brought up in Burma in the 1950's and have been back only once since then, but still have a strong connection with people there. I have Sky and cannot record on to a DVD. Thanks Annie Nason
    Posted by Annie Nason on 02/06/2009 09:07:28
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  9. Is there any way i could sponsor one of the Orphans from this program?
    Posted by Darrell Maguire on 01/06/2009 22:18:31
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  10. One of the most affecting programmes I have seen in ages
    Posted by BFlan on 01/06/2009 21:26:29
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  11. Thank you so much for this incredible reportage. I am so grateful to your cameramen for having the bravery to do this. They could teach a thing or two to all the governments around the world who have done little more than mouth hollow threats against the Burmese junta. A good family friend of ours has just returned from volunteering in a Christian orphanage there and the stories and photos she smuggled out are horrific. She has been several times now, and it's just getting worse. We must step in and we must do it now.
    Posted by Kate on 01/06/2009 21:06:01
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  12. What a fantastic and deeply moving show. How are the kids now?
    Posted by Fillyouin on 01/06/2009 21:03:52
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  13. I was very moved by the program dispatches, i have just watched the series of the Orphans and i found it hard to watch without wanting to help them. I would just like to ask ifyou could tell me how to help the orphans? Thank you
    Posted by Gena on 01/06/2009 20:44:27
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