Sa Wat Dii!

As we continue our work supporting vulnerable people in Thailand, I’ve been reflecting a lot lately on the unexpected ways my own past connects with the challenges we see every day. It’s a powerful reminder of how God weaves our stories together, and I’m excited to share with you in this month’s journal entry.
– Mark Juanes

The Past Affecting Our Present

Before I came to Thailand, I never thought about the effect my own family history would have on my role at the House of Love. Since I came here however, it is frequently on my mind. My own mother was orphaned at a very young age and the stories she told me about growing up have had a profound effect on how I approach working with families. Before she was even a year old, her mother passed away and a few years later her father succumbed to illness. This all happened in Shanghai, China where, due to political challenges at the time and her mixed Portuguese/Chinese heritage, she was not only an orphan but a refugee as well. Thankfully, her aunt took on the immense responsibility of raising and protecting her. There were times when they lived in a refugee camp underneath a sports stadium and other times when she lived at a Catholic Convent. Despite their desperate circumstances, they were fortunate enough to immigrate to San Francisco, where a few other relatives lived.

When my mother speaks of that time, she mentions the profound kindness shown to her by the nuns at the refugee camp. Her aunt’s love, faith, and reliance on God through the tough times, however, provided the biggest impact on her life. There were times she was scared but, for the most part, her aunt kept up a positive attitude and my mother was not aware how poor they were. For many years, my mother and her aunt were the only family each other had. This experience helped shape her faith. She still faithfully attends Catholic mass every Sunday, volunteers when she can, and her relationship with God is unshakeable. Her faith didn’t come from a powerful sermon or a deep conversation, it was through experiencing kindness during her darkest times—an experience of God’s love that has impacted her actions since she was six years old.

A large part of what drives me to this day, however, is whenever I asked her about her time as a young girl, I remember her reply was always: “There are so many poor people in this world, people that are so poor it would literally make you sick. It would make you sick to see the things they do to feed their family. I hope that you never have to make those choices.” Even as a young boy I tried to imagine what life would have been like to be so desperate that even feeding a family was a struggle. I believe that God planted the seed in me many years ago.

Sacrifice and Hope in Thailand

This brings me to Kittipong, a young man who embodies similar selflessness for his family. You may remember his story in our 2024 annual report: His older sister was battling addiction and losing. In a moment of desperation, she asked him to help with her children, and Kittipong, barely in his twenties and struggling to make ends meet for himself, didn’t hesitate to take responsibility for the four children. He took them in because he was determined to do whatever he could for his family. For many in his situation, the only choices seem to be sending the children to an orphanage or staying together and sinking further into poverty. For many of the children living in Thai orphanages, the problem is not the death of parents, it is the breakdown of family which leaves children vulnerable.

Sadly, such heartbreaking dilemmas are common in Thailand: widowed single parents giving up, the grips of drug addiction, extreme poverty forcing parents to leave for city work, and desperation leading to unimaginable choices. The Hilltribe people, already among the most vulnerable, face a life where vulnerability is often the norm. These crises and desperate circumstances frequently lead to a loss of family support, making children even more vulnerable and ultimately more susceptible to trafficking.

Investing in Families Through the Family of Love Program

While Kittipong made the responsible choice, he lacked the resources and parenting knowledge to truly support the children. This is precisely where our Family of Love program steps in. This is where your partnership makes a direct impact: by investing in giving these children the chance to grow up in a family.

Through the program, the three children in elementary school are receiving scholarships. Kittipong is also learning invaluable skills in family management and responsibility through our curriculum, which includes lessons on budgeting, positive parenting, and sustainable livelihoods. Our coaches then provide weekly home visits to help turn these lessons into lasting habits. It’s still challenging, but they’re receiving coaching, supplementary food, and locally donated clothing.

Manee, the youngest girl, is in her second year at our House of Blessing preschool, where teachers care for her and guide her development. The school cook even sends her home with extra rice and soup each day. Despite her challenges in life, our hope is that she can experience kindness and love that can make an impact on her life as well. Last year, Manee was very quiet and often withdrawn, but this school year, as she continues to adjust to all the changes in her life, she’s laughing and smiling more. Her teachers report significant improvements in her studies! Her overall positive demeanor is evidence of the work Kittipong is putting into the family. We cannot “fix” the situation the family faces, but we can empower and equip them with the tools to succeed. Kittipong is the one who will make parenting decisions and he is the one who will be there for the children when they are struggling. And he is stepping up to meet these challenges.