Character and Leadership Training for Thai Youths

Preparing for Service -  Getting the young people ready

It is summer time and the schools are out, but for our young leaders, they have decided to spend part of their school holidays in preparation for a national event... to help to plan and organise activities for both their peers and the younger kids.. an event that will take place in November!

 As our staff  prepare for this retreat, by booking a reasonably comfortable chalet by the beach and arranging for all the logistics related to the training, our other volunteers helped to prepare for food and liased with the teens and their parents.

The teens both boys and girls, were all ready and eager as they came from various parts of Thailand, like in the capital city fo Bangkok, provinces like Chonburi in the east, Saraburi in the north-east and Chiangrai in the north. The bond of friendship that they had built over the years as they came for the progressive leadership trainings, was quickly re-established as they learnt about the ins and outs of running a successful event of games, fellowship and friendly competition. They also had times of sharing, brain-storming and practicing the foot drill steps, so that they can go back to their various centres and begin to teach them to their friends.

Pure was so excited that at the end of the retreat he said,"I will go back to gather my friends and form a team for this event!"

Meanwhile, M (not her real name) added, "I have really been encouraged to be like a good shepherd, to look after those in my team, just as i see the adult leaders have done in preparing for us here!"

The Foundation has seen many of these kids grow up through the years to be better persons and leaders, who are willing to sacrifice their personal comforts in service to others. This is what really motivates all volunteers.

Also, many thanks to donors who help to make our dreams for a better tomorrow here in Thailand!

Any feedback and comments to help us imporove is most welcomed!

Best regards,

Vena

Training the Trainers - Back to Harmony

"B" (not her real name) as been serving as a volunteer for many years (19 to be exact) and what has kept her undauntedly pressing on, was her belief that as an adult who has a heart for the young people, she can help befriend them and give advice when in times of crises. At  the same time the task of running activites for these young people can sometimes be tiring and unrewarding, esspecially when misunderstandings occur between the volunteers and even among the clients (the young people as well).

In the Asian Culture, especially in Thai culture, seniority and hierarchy plays a major role in communications and conflict management (or rather non-management). Any disagreements are frowned upon and relationships sour, but are not voiced or cleared, leading to suppressed anger and bitterness.

"B" was experiencing just that, when she came for our Foundation's annual training and retreat for adult volunteers. The Theme for the Seminar was "Back to Harmony" which was conducted by Mr Lai, an expert counsellor and social worker (from Eagles Mediation and Counselling Centre, Singapore) , who deals in mediation matters especially amongst couples, and  family disputes. "B" sat in the seminar and was amazed at how the examples that were brought up were similar to what she was facing. In the duration of the training, she also realised that Conflicts amongst humans were inevitable and was infact not to be avoided, because conflicts helped her to be more aware of herself, and her "opponent" , and she also learnt how to approach the person whom she has conflict with, in a way that would invite a true conversation.

 By the end of the training, "B" related her story and shared that the training has helped her to look at conflict from a different angle and she even tried to apply the principles taught, immediately.

Her response when asked about feedback of the training, she said, "Even from the start of the first hour,I was tearing...how true that we need to be humble and repent of our pride as a start to reconciliation." 

“This training is very successful and it’s very enlightening, very relevant and useful in our daily life...." Suzanne, another volunteer commented 

"It was the Group Activity that caused me to have to face and deal with a conflict situation...it was really a ön-the-job-training situation'!", Nit exclaimed, almost in disbelief.

Our Foundation certainly hopes that this practical and useful training would be the start of new culture within the Organisation, to help us learn to agree to disagree, and work harmoniously, using our differences as strengths.

We are grateful to all donors for your continued contribution, to enable us to seek help from experts who can guide and mentor us in our outreach to the children and youths who will also face various conflicts in their lives. We also value any feedback you may have to enrich our experience as well!

Best Regards!