Child Hostel

Today on our way back to Chiang Rai we made a stop on the way to meet a friend of Arthur's and one of the people Arthur supports in his minsitry. His friend is the Chairman of the village he lives in so he represents his village at the government meetings. During the meetings he noticed that when discussing those least educated the AKHA were of the highest percent, when talking about those with drup problems again the AKHA were most involved, even those most at risk for falling prey to the sex trade were also the AKHA. This bothered the Chairman very much. He is also from the AKHA tribe and his heart went out to his people and he was determined to help them however he could. He had some land, and a little money so he started a Child Hotel. He built 2 dorms made out of bamboo, one for girls and one for boys. 48 kids live here. They are kids without parents to care for them and kids at risk to be sold into the sex trade. Here they come and live, receive meals, attend the nearby school, and while there the Chairman also teaches them a vocation. Fishing, raising pigs, cows, ducks and other animals are among the skills he trains them in. His hope is that by giving them a good start, an education through high school and some skills, perhaps these children can begin to break the trends and give the AKHA new hope and better futures. The need is great and space and money are limited. The Chairman wants to build 2 more dorms on his land, another for boys and another for girls. He asked for prayers for the needed resources to build the dorms and run the program.

I am struck how this ordinary man saw something in his daily life that he thought was unjust. He did not just say what a shame someone should do something about that. Instead he took the initiative and did something about it himself. Not only that but he did it with what he had. The dorms sit directly next to his house. He shares everything he has with these kids and he wants to do more. How many times have you thought something was wrong or unfair or should be changed. How often did you point to other people and say they should do something about that. In what ways can you act to make the situation better?