This new rehabilitation project for the disabled is located in Khon Kaen in the northeast of Thailand, the poorest region of the country, 365 kilometers from the capital Bangkok.

The city is famous for its silk weavers and its agriculture which is based on rice, corn, tapioca and sugar cane. The villagers depend entirely on the rainy season and are mostly in debt due to the seasonality of agricultural production.

The local Daughters of Charity community is called SETON HOUSE. It is composed of five sisters of three nationalities: two Thai, two Filipino and one Vietnamese.

The oldest is 71 years old and the youngest is 28.

Each of them is involved in the daily work with

• the elderly in institutions and communities
• disabled people in the Mary Immaculate institution founded by the sisters and in the communities
• poor children and numerous migrants (Vietnamese, Laotians and Burmese...)
• people who ask for spiritual guidance

The education of the population is very weak because it was not the priority before; many cannot read or write and speak their own dialect, the elderly can hardly speak their national language.

The economic situation is booming. The infrastructure has improved a lot, hospital services have modern equipment, education is spreading in both urban and rural areas, administrative centers have been set up to serve the population.

"Despite this, the lifestyle of the citizens has gone from simple to extravagant, which has led to a large number of expenses, an increase in the price of food, crime and drugs are commonplace and morality is very low" Sister Albina Ermac

The project: training in cooking and catering for disabled people

The Marie Immaculée institution was founded and is managed by the Daughters of Charity. It is located in the community of the sisters and is specialized in the reception of many people with disabilities.

These people are between 15 and 40 years old with mental capacities equivalent to 5-7 years for professional training and 3-5 years for learning and education.

It also includes a school exclusively for children and young people with disabilities from 3 to 18 years old.

The objective of this project is to allow a group of young people with disabilities to get out of dependence thanks to a training in restoration.

"This training was expressly requested by the young people as well as by their entourage who noticed that, left alone, they are easily victims of abuse or manipulation which leads them to drug trafficking" - Sister Albina Ermac

This training aims to make them autonomous and secure by a stable job in the absence of their relatives.

We will set up a training program in which the courses will be given by a Thai Daughter of Charity, supported by two lay teachers for a full year.

Because of their learning difficulties, this will be a daily course: the young people will live with their families but will come to school in the morning and return home after class.

The training will take place in several stages. The interested youth have already been identified and are all fully aware of the objectives. This daily activity will also provide them with physical and cognitive stimulation.

"Learning will take place in groups in and out of the classroom so that they will be confronted with the reality of the "field" (choosing products at the market for example). Group and individual demonstrations will prepare them for assessments to ensure that the concepts have been retained. Exercises to develop their motivation for inclusion will also be implemented" Sister Albina Ermac

"We are fortunate to have the support of government agencies, local officers and villagers in this project which will ensure its successful completion. With this project, our youth will be integrated into society through employment and will be able to rise with dignity and integrity."

The beneficiaries

The group of young beneficiaries is composed of 13 former students of the Institution Marie Immaculée, who had access to small workshops of conditioning and who immediately projected themselves in this project.

Their strong desire to remain a part of the school and our desire to protect them from all crimes and exploitation has led us to create activities that are integrated into the school structure that they are used to and that will meet their needs.

Thanks to your donation, these young people will be kept away from the dangers that threaten them because of their disability, they will have a stable life and access to autonomy through their employment.

Thank you in advance for your support!