Rice for Thai kindergarteners in need

Mercy Centre was setup 47 years ago by Father Joseph Maier. At Mercy Centre we serve over 3,000 meals to kindergarten children from the Klong Toei area. These children are severely affected by poverty which impacts upon their social emotional wellbeing and mental health. Rice is a staple food in the children’s diet and is an integral part of the nutritious yet balanced diet we provide the children.

At Mercy Centre, we witness and hear many stories of hope but also stories of heartbreak. Reflecting upon these real life stories, we would like to draw your attention to a story of a girl who lives with her mother and grandmother. The mother and grandmother try their best to support the girl by doing odd jobs but the lack of stable income does not allow them to provide the girl with the proper nutrition on a daily basis. As a result, Mercy Centre staff will provide the girl with breakfast and lunch. There are days when we also need to pack food for the girl to bring home for dinner. The story of this girl is a reflection of what many of our children go through. Poverty brings a large level of uncertainty into the children’s lives and this uncertainty can only be alleviated through the provision of food, shelter and education.        

Rice does not only provide nutrition but it also provides hope to those children who only get one meal a day. The hope that we provide each child is important in encouraging them to persist and overcome the barriers that they face.  Over the years, we have given hope and provided nutrition to over 40,000 children and we hope that we are able to provide nutrition and hope to many more children of the Klong Toei community and beyond.