Character and Leadership Training for Thai Youths

Leaders for the Next Generation

When it came time for our annual young leaders camps, our young leaders were all looking forward to the training, knowing that they will bring home tangible skills and know-how back to their local communities, and to put these leadership skills to practical use.

The camps are usually  run during the school vacations, which happen to be the rainy season as well. However, the Foundation was thrilled that even though there may be various challenges for them, 200 campers turned up for the camps.

In the camps they were taught on the skills of managing small groups, how to teach a craft (instructional skills), learnt how to care for others especially those younger members in the camps, and take some calculated risks like doing jumps off a tower. Meanwhile, they were also physically tested on their endurance and teamwork.

Karina a young leader who is now 16 years and has been in our leadership camps since she was 11 years old, says, "I have gained confidence and leadership skills from these camps.  A leader is one who serves and looks after others..". She even volunteered to go with the team of staff and volunteers to prepare the campsite, before the campers arrived!

As for Ice, he reflects,"Before, I didn't have discipline to do anything, but now, I have better discipline.." For him it overflowed into his daily life in simple things like getting up early in the morning, so that he is in time for school.

With all the challenges and distractions of the present world, it was not easy for pre-teens and teens to be able to even think of others,much less serve others. Therefore the Foundation finds this work challengeing and fufilling, to see young leaders take up their stand against selfish gratification and materialism.

The Foundation is grateful for all the support and partnership rendered to us and welcome any feedback that will enhance our ministry to the young people  who will leader their own generation!

Best regards!

Empowering Young Leaders with Character & Leadership

Every alternate year, the Young Leaders (from all over the country) with the Foundation for Life would be challenged to lead a National Camp for around 200 campers. These young and budding leaders would be mostly in their early teens, and adult volunteers would be their mentors in the planning, organising and running of these camps.

In order for these Young Leaders to begin to talk and plan for this camp, they were gathered together for a Planning Retreat. In this retreat, they were taught on leadership skills, how be people of integrity and responsibility, because they will have to "look after" so many other lives while at the camp.

These Young Leaders also had a time to challenge themselves in a rock climbing activity, for which they had to overcome their fear of heights, stretch themselves physically to make it to the top of the wall, and to be able to trust the person who is holding on to the other end of the rope, to keep them safe.

Ice's our young leader for about 3 years said, "This rock climbing challenge has shown me that if I want to make it to the top, I have to endure the aches and pains and overcome my fears. The encouragement of my leaders and friends were what kept me going!"

"The climb up looked so difficult at first but as I made the climb up, I learnt that I have to just climb up one little stone at a time, and to take time to look around for the best little stone to step on. I learnt that difficult circumstances can be overcome, one little step at a time!", Aryck commented.

At the end of the retreat, our young leaders were glad to have come, and made committments to do their best to help in the preparation for the coming camp.

The Foundation for Life is grateful to all donors for your partnership in enabling our young people in Thailand to reach their highest potential in leadership. Any comments and feedback is  welcome, to help us better our reach to the future of our Nation.

Best regards,

Vena