Two years ago when we arrived in Si Saket province, Bas (*not his real name) was completing the fifth grade unable to read and write Thai, unable to solve basic arithmetic problems, and just depleted of any will to move forward in his schooling.
At the end of sixth grade, Bas still was unable to do these things and his parents considered having him drop out, or enter the monkhood at a local temple. The question we always ask ourselves here is what is the future of these children? Children like Bas who cannot read and write their own language, who are neglected by family, and have little hope for a better future. So where’s Bas now?
We encouraged Bas and his family to keep him in school, even if they were ashamed of his academic struggles. A week ago, Bas finished the seventh grade. In the new high school he was assigned a tutor that spent time with him one-on-one to bring him up to speed in Thai. He brings his English homework over to ask for help. And we see hope in his eyes that we never saw before. He has a new found confidence.
Why? To tell the truth we haven’t done a whole lot with Bas. Over the past two years we have simply encouraged him. He has been encouraged to dream when everyone else gave up on him. We encouraged him to stay in school because without it, the opportunities in the future are slim.
This is what we are all about. We want to simply encourage families and especially children to dream of a better future. Hope is possible for these kids. Prostitution, drug addiction, and an early marriage is not the only path for the youth. There is so much more for these young lives.
Actually now Bas is holding his own classes at the center we started in the village. We have been unable to lead classes officially due to legal matters, but Bas does math, Thai, and English reviews with his friends on the weekends. I am so stoked to see the change in his life. There are new dreams in his eyes. And they started only with a bit of encouragement.
