Rice for Thai kindergarteners in need

Mercy Centre currently supports 120 orphans from 6 to 22 years old through the provision of basic necessities such as rice, shelter and education. The children, teenagers and young adults come from broken families. They have all experienced trauma and a lack of stability in their lives and thus Mercy Centre serves as their refuge. The young adults that have graduated from Mercy Centre are normally employed in low skilled jobs and thus we support them till they can support themselves. Every child, teenager and young adult that lives at Mercy Centre has their own story and their stories reflect the reality of living with poverty and trauma.    

The story of “D” is one of tragic circumstances and highlights the struggles that all Mercy children face. D joined us at 2 months old in 2011. His mum was from a mental asylum and she did not know who the father of D was. After D’s birth, his mother did not want to be responsible for him and wanted to abandon him in the hospital.  The responsibility of care fell to D’s grandmother who lacked the mobility and finances to support D. The grandmother expressed her concern to the hospital and the hospital passed her Mercy Centre’s contact information. Since then, D has grown to be a sweet and affectionate child and is now 9 years old. Unfortunately for D, he struggles with learning difficulties and emotional regulation and continues to learn behavioural norms at school and in the Mercy home.

At the Mercy homes for the 120 orphans, rice is an important staple food in the Mercy’s children’s diet and gives them hope of a better tomorrow. Regardless of their stories of struggle, rice sustains the 120 orphans and allows them to fight for a better life for themselves. As we move forward, we want to be able to empower the children in our care and allow them to have opportunities that they never thought possible.