ABOUT
WELL BURMA
What We Do
New Generation Myanmar
Our main focus areas currently are children's needs and disaster support.
The war and natural disasters has displaced millions of people. Through the Save Karenni Project, we have sent food, electrical generators, cars, mobile internet satellites, and other essential supplies to Internally Displaced People Camps. Han Zaw Latt, Wai Yan Aung, and his generous network of donors contribute to this project regularly.
Well Burma has also opened a virtual K-12 school– New Generation Myanmar. Especially after the coup, most children had no access to quality education. In many cases, the infrastucture was not stable enough to host any type of physical school. Education is a fundemental human right and a necessity for the development of the next generation of Burma. New Generation Myanmar allows students from anywhere in the country to continue their education online. Importantly, it also provides a safe community for our students to make friends.
To learn more about out projects, see our PROJECTS page here.
Our Team
Han Zaw LATT
Founder, President
Han Zaw LATT has been a philanthopist for decades, focusing on promoting his country's beauty and supporting children in need. Han Zaw is a very successful entrepreneur, and he has used his success to spread advocate for and contribute to the people of Burma. Han Zaw is the co-founder of the Miss Golden Land Myanmar franchise, the first beauty pageant in Myanmar in over five decades. The pageant quickly gained enormous popularity everywhere in the country. It gave the people of Myanmar the opportunity to share their beauty and intelligence with the rest of the world. Under this foundation, Han Zaw opened self-improvement schools across Myanmar for people of all ages. Further, he has made significant contributions to orphanages. These include, but are not limited to buildings, supplies, funding, and gifts for the children.
During the coup of 2021, Han Zaw used his strong reputation to organize protests and establish organizations to fight against the violent dictatorship. Because his voice was among the strongest in Myanmar, he was forced to flee the country with his two cousins, but this has not slowed them down. He continues to support Myanmar with his personal resources and strategic insight. Through Well Burma, he has created an avenue for humanitarian aid and education, two of the most pressing needs in Myanmar at this moment.
Read Han Zaw LATT's biography on his website here.
Wai Yan Aung
Founder, Vice-President
Wai Yan Aung is a celebrity, fundraiser, and leader. Throughout his life, he has focused on raising awareness and garnering money to make a positive impact for the people his country. One of Wai Yan's crowning acheivements is the founding of the Miss Golden Land Myanmar franchise with his cousin, Han Zaw Latt. Together, they brought the beauty of Myanmar to the world stage and educated thousand of youth across the country. They expanded the program to include all ages and genders so that all Burmese had a chance to show their beauty to the world. Wai Yan has always been a strong advocate for democracy and the establishment of human rights in Myanmar, so after the military coup of 2021, he and his brother were of the first to speak out and organize protests. This act helped spark the continuing fight for democracy in Myanmar, but also made him a target of the military junta.
Now, Wai Yan Aung continues his fundraising for disaster relief, schools, internally displaced people camps from America. He has leveraged his millions of followers to focus the Burmese communities attention around supporting each other and persevering through this struggle for freedom.
Read Wai Yan Aung's biography on his website here.
Aung Khant Pyae
Treasurer
Aung Khant Pyae is a young entrepeneur and activist who want to see a future where his country lives in prosperity and freedom. By the age of 17, Aung Khant Pyae, also known as Alvin, had launched his own clothing brand, achieved countless academic awards, and garnered hundreds of thousands of followers. Even at a young age had already achieved great success and was using it to inspire others. Alvin also played a large part in supporting his cousins enterprise, Miss Golden Land Myanmar. When Alvin joined the team, MGLM was a country-wide program with thousands of members and numerous branches. Through this and his own business, Alvin became proficient in finance management. He now uses this skill and more to enable Well Burma in its efforts to support Burma in its fight for democracy and freedom. He wants to be able to return to his country and see his people flourishing, and he has dedicated all his time and energy in America to making this happen.
Quinton Covington
Secretary
Quinton Covington joined Well Burma two years ago after hearing the tragic story of Burma. He was inspired by the efforts of the other members and now contributes his abilities to the fight for democracy and human rights in Myanmar. Quinton has experience is a wide range of areas which he uses to support the organization as a whole. As a neuroscientist, artist, and writer, Quinton's focus is on building Well Burma's public image and bringing his academic expertise to Well Burma's projects. This has been especially true for NGM, where he has helped to build the organizational structure and share his experience at American academic institution. With his knowledge of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Educational science, he is also building a new curriculum for New Generation Myanmar. He and the rest of the team aim to revolutionalize education in Myanmar and eventually they world through their contribution to the field.
As the secretary, Quinton is the primary correspondent for all communcations. To get in contact with us regarding collaboration, funding, or general inquiries, reach out to Quinton at quintoncovington2003@gmail.com.
A Brief History of Burma
Gaining Independence (1948-1962)
Burma, now Myanmar, gained independence from Britain on January 4, 1948. This marked the end of British colonial rule but also the start of internal conflicts. Ethnic tensions plagued the country, despite the Panglong Agreement of 1947, which promised autonomy to minorities. U Nu became the country's first prime minister, striving to create a democratic and Buddhist-oriented state. However, his government struggled with insurgencies from ethnic minorities and communist factions, creating political instability.
Burma’s early years were marked by civil unrest, weak economic conditions, and dissatisfaction among ethnic groups. U Nu's neutral foreign policy during the Cold War kept Burma isolated, but domestically, the government was failing to control internal strife. This instability led to the military taking power in 1962.
The Rise of the Military Rule (1962-1988)
In 1962, General Ne Win led a coup and established military rule. He introduced the "Burmese Way to Socialism," nationalizing industries and isolating the economy, which led to widespread poverty. Ne Win's government cracked down on political dissent and ethnic minority uprisings, exacerbating conflicts. His policies deepened Burma's economic troubles, making it one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia.
In 1974, a new constitution formalized military rule under the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP), further consolidating power. However, Ne Win's isolationist policies and economic mismanagement caused widespread discontent. The tipping point came in 1987 when Ne Win demonetized large currency denominations, wiping out many people's savings and sparking outrage across the country.
1988 Uprising and the SLORC Era
In 1988, the "8888 Uprising" saw mass protests calling for democracy, sparked by economic despair and political repression. The military responded with brutal violence, killing thousands. Ne Win resigned, but the military formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and reasserted control.
In 1990, Burma held elections, where Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won overwhelmingly. However, the SLORC refused to cede power and placed Suu Kyi under house arrest. This period saw Burma further isolated, with international sanctions and widespread human rights abuses, including crackdowns on ethnic minorities.
Repression and Reform (1990-2010)
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Myanmar was governed by the military under the SPDC, the rebranded SLORC. The regime maintained tight control over politics and the economy, while the country faced continued ethnic insurgencies and economic hardships.
However, in 2010, the military announced elections and released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. The elections were widely considered rigged, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) taking most of the seats. Despite this, the political climate began to shift, with reforms such as the release of political prisoners, and the easing of media censorship. Suu Kyi’s NLD won seats in the 2012 by-elections, marking a step toward democratization.
Repression and Reform (1990-2010)
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Myanmar was governed by the military under the SPDC, the rebranded SLORC. The regime maintained tight control over politics and the economy, while the country faced continued ethnic insurgencies and economic hardships.
However, in 2010, the military announced elections and released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. The elections were widely considered rigged, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) taking most of the seats. Despite this, the political climate began to shift, with reforms such as the release of political prisoners, and the easing of media censorship. Suu Kyi’s NLD won seats in the 2012 by-elections, marking a step toward democratization.
Democratization and Military Influence (2010-2021)
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Myanmar was governed by the military under the SPDC, the rebranded SLORC. The regime maintained tight control over politics and the economy, while the country faced continued ethnic insurgencies and economic hardships.
However, in 2010, the military announced elections and released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest. The elections were widely considered rigged, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) taking most of the seats. Despite this, the political climate began to shift, with reforms such as the release of political prisoners, and the easing of media censorship. Suu Kyi’s NLD won seats in the 2012 by-elections, marking a step toward democratization.
Current Situation
Myanmar is currently facing a severe political and humanitarian crisis following a military coup in February 2021. The military, known as the Tatmadaw, overthrew the civilian government, arrested leader Aung San Suu Kyi, and nullified the results of the 2020 general election, which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) had won. This coup triggered widespread protests across the country, which the military violently suppressed, resulting in thousands of deaths and arrests.
In response, armed resistance groups have formed, including ethnic insurgent groups and new "People's Defense Forces," leading to a civil war-like situation in many areas.
The country's economy has collapsed, with high inflation, unemployment, and widespread poverty. The military's human rights abuses, particularly against ethnic minorities like the Rohingya, have drawn international condemnation, but diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis have stalled. Myanmar remains isolated, with ongoing conflict and no clear resolution in sight. Despite the intense circumstances, the people of Myanmar remain resilient. They can turn to each other for support in times of need, and the public continues to stand strong in their values.