CHILDREN'S OUTREACH
One of the things that touches the hearts of our team members more than
anything else are the wonderful little children living in the remote jungle
villages and refugee camps. Most of the children from this generation have
known nothing but life as a refugee. The village that I spent the most time in
had a school made out of bamboo with dirt floors and of course no walls or
windows. During dry season it was tolerable. During monsoons it would be a
sea of mud and rain would blow sideways into the open classrooms. I was
always impressed with how happy and positive the children were. They were so
very curious about our life in the United States and always deluged team
members with questions once the initial shyness wore off. I had the privilege
of teaching conversational English to 14-21 year olds for two months in 1994
and it was an experience that truly changed my life! Not having ever taught
anything before it truly stretched me out of my comfort zone! I get letters
from teachers and village leaders all the time begging me to help them find
teachers for their children. They are so very adaptable and if you could only
go in for a short visit and volunteer in the schools, you would make a big
impact on their lives.
Everyone in the area has malaria and suffers from recurrences frequently. It is especially hard on the children and we had our hands full trying to keep the little ones healthy. Because the families cook on open fires, there are a lot of respiratory problems, among the children especially. My heart is with the older teens and young adults, but I do love spending time with the little ones. They love to learn songs from America and most are taught English in the primary grades as well as Burmese, Karen and now Thai.
BENJAMIN AND JOSEPH: A SUCCESS STORY
While I was visiting Mae Rah Moo refugee camp in January 2001 twin boys were born to a dear friend of mine. I was asked to name them and I chose "Benjamin" and "Joseph". Benjamin was very tiny and his lungs were not properly developed and he required longer hospitalization. Because they were generously sponsored by a family in Hawaii, the parents were able to buy milk powder to supplement their diet and to buy needed medicine that was not available in the camp where they live. This photo taken 11 months later shows that they are healthy, happy little boys. What a difference your sponsorship funds can make!
Here is a more recent picture of Benjamin and Joseph with their father, Chi Aug, that I took in February of 2006 while I was visiting their camp. You can read a bit more about their father, and see a photo of their mother with all the children in the 2006 Journal of my trip to see the Karen and check on our projects in the camps there.
CHILDREN AT MAE LA CAMP -
Dozens of mothers and children filled this little bamboo home to see PeeTahThoo and her friend Mary. They were each given an item from a "Zip Blessing" bag and many went home with new clothes that had been donated by friends in Hawaii.
HELP KEEP THEM SMILING -
Children in Seh Lah camp were having a great time looking at themselves in the video camera's LCD monitor.
CHILDREN WAITING TO TRY ON NEW CLOTHES -
Many children were trying to take off their old shirts and shorts as they came into the house to get a toy or new clothes.
CHILDREN AT RISK
To me, these little boys pictured above represent the hundreds of pre-school children in the refugee camps who need a sponsor to buy food and clothing for them.
CREEHATHA -
Creehatha is living with her parents in Mae Rah Moo Refugee Camp. The photo on the left was taken in May 2000. We are thankful that someone saw Creehatha's picture on our site and has become her sponsor.
This photo was taken of me with Creehatha in May 2001. Creehatha appears to be thriving with the help of her new sponsors.
This picture of Creehatha (far left) was taken in January 2002. She is doing very well in school and continues to be healthy and happy.
Here is Creehatha 4 years later posing with me in February 2006. As you can see, she is growing up into a beautiful girl. It has been a pleasure to watch her change and grow over the years. She is very lucky to have such dedicated sponsors who always remember her and give generously to help take care of her, and her family's, needs.
84-680 Kili Dr. - #1005
Waianae, Hawaii 96792
808-695-9307
808-386-9717
Medical Outreach |
Student Outreach |
Women's Outreach |
Family Outreach |
IDP Hostel