Character and Leadership Training for Thai Youths

COVID-19 has affected lives we know

The Foundation's work with Children and Youths, running programs and activites to develop tenacity and leadership in them has been much affected in the pandemic.

Of late, Thailand saw a great spike in the COVID-19 cases, from the 500s (on 9 Apr) to the 1000s (on 14 Apr), to 2000s (on 23 Apr) and reaching 2,179 per day by 27 April.

On that grounds, the Thai government decided to put in restrictions in the country, with some provinces being in the dark red zones like Bangkok and Korat, which had seen many clusters and infections. By 1 May, restrictions to enter certain provinces had been placed and people cannot come in or go out from there.

Unfortunately, crowded and poorly ventilated communities like the Klong Toey Slums, where the Foundation has work, has been the source of the eruption of COVID cases. As a result, a volunteer (Pi Dim) contracted COVID-19, together with a client (Ploy), her mother and her young son…all of whom stay in that community.

It was later discovered that Pi Dim, our volunteer, may have passed the infection to her sister and niece, with the sister being the worst off as she had to be put on the ventilator.

Meanwhile, Ploy (who has been in our program), her mother and young son, who were recuperating in a field hospital in Bangkok were tested negative and released to go home. However, their landlord refused to allow them back in their rented room. The family then decided to return to their hometown in Roi-Et. Unfortunately, they were also rejected from entering that province. The upheaval had caused both Ploy and her mother of their jobs, making it very difficult for them, who were already living from hand to mouth.

Meanwhile, a little girl named Bai-Bua who is a Primary 1 student in a Chiangmai School and in our program as well, has also contracted COVID, together with her grandmother and both are currently placed in a field hospital for treatment.

This wave of infection in Thailand has brought “closer to home”, the reality of the consequences of the disease, as it has affected our clients in a very real way.

It certainly looks like COVID-19 has captured Victims of our clients, but we look forward to the day they arise Victorious, as we together with you our sponsors, find ways to help them out of their dilemma.

Thank you for your partnership in our work, and we hope to bring stories of victory in our next newsletter of what we have done, because of your generosity.

Stay safe - one and all!

Regards,

Vena Lung