Building Family Dreams In Chiang Mai
Two years ago, we announced The Hope Effect’s first location in Southeast Asia - Chiang Mai, Thailand. In Chiang Mai, your support allows us to focus on two key areas – reintegration and prevention.
Most children in Thai orphanages have family that could care for them, so we are working to get children out of institutional care and back in their families. In addition, we provide education and resources to strengthen families and prevent them from surrendering their children to an orphanage in the first place.
For the past two years, we’ve been facilitating the Building Family Dreams program, which provides education and resources to strengthen families as they learn, heal, and grow together. Families work to develop and maintain a strong family structure so they can bring children home from orphanages and stay together in the future.
Recently, the families in the program participated in a graduation camp, signifying successful completion of the program. Families had a wonderful time bonding, playing games, and sharing what they learned in the program.
Thank you for making this possible. We’re so grateful these children are able to grow up in their loving families because of you! Read on for a recap and photos of the event.
Strengthening Families
While the graduation camp celebrates how far families have come, there’s always room to further strengthen family bonds. A counselor was on site to facilitate activities for the families so they could continue to interact and grow together.
First, each family created a timeline representing various highs and lows for their family and then discussed their emotions about the activity. Throughout the week, families sang, played games, and did art projects together.
It was wonderful to see parents and grandparents continuing to bond with their children and grandchildren. Many of the adults in these families are away from home frequently for work, and we’re so thankful they were able to set aside this time to be present with their children.
Families also had the opportunity to share what they’ve learned throughout the program. It was meaningful to see how much this program has helped strengthen families…we know they will continue to practice what they’ve learned in the future.
Giant Elephants = Big Fun!
Plus, there was more BIG fun in store for the kids and families. The graduation camp was held at the Elephant Conservation Center, and all of the children were very excited to interact with the elephants! In fact, that was the first thing they wanted to do. So as soon as the families arrived, they took a walk to see the elephants and give them some snacks.
The families also had the opportunity to learn about the elephants, see an elephant show, and even ride them! Some of the kids were able to practice being a mahout (an elephant trainer). These amazing animals were definitely a highlight of the week for the children…and the adults!
CHANGING LIVES IN CHIANG MAI
Thank you again for making this possible. You have changed the lives of so many children and families in Chiang Mai. And as we come to the end of our two-year partnership, we are so grateful for your support and generosity.
Enjoy a few additional photos and take pride in knowing that because of you, these children are growing up in loving families…where they belong. Together, we are changing the way the world cares for orphans…because every child deserves a family.
