By Peter | International Volunteer
In the last three months quite a lot has happened in our Mae Chan branch. Two of our children were able to be rehabilitated and used the tools handed to them, so they are able to create a life for themselves. We are very proud of course of the progress they have made during their stay here. Looking at the work that we do, we are certain that the children who are here at the moment and those to come will be turned into responsible adults.
On January 14th it was the national Thai children’s day. It is celebrated by taking the children out to have fun. Many local authorities organize special events and other places of interests usually let children in for half price or even for free on this day. There is a Thai saying that goes, "Children are the future of the nation, if the children are intelligent, the country will be prosperous." To help stimulate children to be aware of their significant role in the country, the National Children's Day was held for the first time in 1955. The children were treated by going to a small festival in town and given delicious local snacks.
One of the key features of our work is the focus on education. The children are schooled in subjects like Mathematics, Thai language and English. Here especially it has to be done in a nurturing environment, as most of the children are traumatized due to abandonment and civil war in their lives. Some of the children had learned to fight for their selves on the streets and by doing so, have forgotten how to be a child. It is hard for them to stop living in a ‘survival mode’ in which they need to lie, cheat and sometimes steal to survive. Having warm and friendly staff that provides stability helps with their acclimatization to the shelter.
Getting the children in a ‘normal’ rhythm is important in most factions of live. Early to bed and early out of bed again is part of this, as well as proper hygiene throughout. The children are instructed to wash two times a day, which may seem like a lot, but it’s a necessity here due to the heat and humidity. The children also have to learn to celandines in other aspects of life, such as maintaining and cleaning their own rooms.
Another thing where DEPDC prides itself for is providing the children with nutritious organic food. A substantial amount of the food have been grown in the shelters own vegetable garden. The harvest has been bountiful as can be seen in the pictures. Fresh vegetables, mangos, banana, papaya and lemon grass have become a stable portion of the member’s diet. Though food donations are sometimes provided by locals, often it is junk food filled with chemicals and not very suitable for growing children.
Your financial donations have helped providing the extra food items that we aren’t able to provide ourselves. Thanks to your donation, these children and women who have had a harsh life thus far, have a new hope to get a better life.
One necessary and very practical donation is made in the last few months has been in the form of clothing. Most of the children and women arrive without extra clothing and being able to wear new clothes instead of their own worn down clothes is a big step towards their new selves. And even though the winters don’t get very cold compared to other countries (10°C - 15°C), the clothing makes that they are kept warm throughout.
So again we would like to thank you for all the donations that have been made and we hope that you will continue this.
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