At a meeting with the Myanmar community in Maryland on March 22, Kim Aris (also known as Htein Lin), son of detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, raised nearly $40,000 in fundraising. During the event, a guitar played by Kim was auctioned and won by Ko Yin Aye and Ma Nila Myint for $8,888. Additionally, a painting featuring Aung San Suu Kyi and Kim Aris was sold for $7,000, while a calendar featuring Aung San Suu Kyi’s image fetched $1,700 at auction.
Kim Aris expressed his gratitude for the donations at the fundraising event, stating through social media that these generous contributions would support his humanitarian aid projects. He emphasized his joy at being able to help Myanmar people in areas of need. During his tour, Kim had previously raised $53,908 from meeting with Myanmar communities in New York and $35,000 in Boston. He has committed to transparently redistributing these funds to areas in need and promised to provide detailed information about the donations once they are distributed.
As the younger son of Aung San Suu Kyi, Kim Aris initiated his American tour driven by an intense desire to secure his mother’s release. The tour’s primary objectives include advocating for the release of all political prisoners, including his mother, and securing urgent humanitarian assistance for Myanmar’s conflict-affected civilians. He has stated his intention to meet with Myanmar diaspora communities and supporters in America to discuss these pressing issues and gather support for these causes.
