Provide Education and Hope for Children at Risk

Since we last wrote, the children returned to school for the second term, which ends in March. In between the schoolwork, they enjoyed the holidays - Halloween is now included, along with Loy Krathong, the Northern Thai Floating Lantern Festival, New Year's', Children's Day in January, and Chinese New Year.  The rains slowed enough in November and December to plan the gardens with vegetables.  

The high school seniors have taken multiple exams in order to apply to their preferred university programs.  Nuiy was accepted into the International Chinese program at Rajabhat University and plans to build her knowledge of Chinese so that she can join the business world. The others are waiting to hear: Law or Business for Ice, Engineering or Law for Cafe, Business or Digital Design for Nui.  Tangmo and Ying took a gap year and are aiming for Medical Technology, Pharmacy, and Psychology.

Mali, our Children's Home Manager keeps in close contact with all the children's teachers to make sure they are not missing any credits to graduate the school year.  So far there are three with missing grades in Computer, Social Studies, and Art.  They have time to make up the work now, before the term ends, and graduate with their peers.   Mali will track down the exam schedule (always a last-minute bulletin) and keep the children focused on finishing the term. Then she will guide our 9th graders through high school placement exams to put them on an academic or vocational track through 12th grade. Then a break until school starts in mid-May.

Each child has a story - abandoned, disrupted marriage and the children left with relatives, subsistence farming barely feeding the family when medical bills tip the balance.  We create an extended family to provide a safe environment.  Our after-school teachers fill in the learning gaps.  We still need professional help when we see a potential developmental delay or emotional issues surface.  We've built a network that includes the Northern Thai Hospital for Children with Special Needs.  Our graduate, Akanit is making valuable contributions as a registered Social Worker. We are also actively seeking a dedicated psychologist to help us address common teenage issues and to identify when additional intervention is needed.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our children’s growth and well-being. We look forward to keeping you updated.

Warm regards,

Dana, Michael, Evelind, and the Warm Heart Family