100 Days in Thailand :: Day 51 - Volunteering at Viengping

Today was our second day volunteering at Viengping Children's Home, and again, we found that the Suwadee Room (2 year olds) had the greatest need for volunteers. This time, they had 1 nanny and 2 volunteers - so with us added to the mix that meant 5 adults for 26 toddlers.

Again, we were swarmed when we entered the room. These babies are so desperate for someone to pay attention to them - to touch them, to hold them, to love them. We spent most of our time on the floor covered in children - holding and touching as many of them as we could at one time.

This time, it was a little less overwhelming (since we knew what to expect) and I could pay attention to details a little more. I noticed that many of the children had bruises, cuts, and knots on their foreheads and the back of their heads. It didn't take long to figure out why. If you're a parent (or if you've ever babysat a toddler) then you know the "terrible two's" are a real thing. Imagine what happens with 26 "terrible two's" and not enough supervision.....

100 Days in Thailand :: Day 44 - Viengping Children's Home

There are over 1.4 million orphans and vulnerable children in Thailand. 

  

As I've shared with you before, these kids are at risk of sex trafficking, drug trafficking, child slavery, and many other horrors that come with poverty and corruption. That's why we're passionate about the work we're doing to care for vulnerable children here - including building a Children's Home that will be used for many, many years.

Unfortunately, that home is still "in progress". We are actively raising money for it and things are happening - but without the project being finished, there are no children there!

We support another Children's Home in Thailand, but it is inside a refugee camp and our access to it is minimal. (It takes the approval of the Camp Government for us to be allowed in and even when approved, our time inside is limited).

So..... I found myself in an odd predicament. Here I am - a woman with a heart for orphans, in a country with over 1.4 million orphans in it, and yet there were no children for me to spend time with?!  This week, I decided to remedy that!

After doing some research, I was thrilled to find a Government orphanage in Chiang Mai that allowed volunteers! And even though it's not an orphanage we (The Sound of Hope) partner with, I knew I wanted to go! Even if I won't have a long-term role in these kids lives, the least I can do is go and spend time with them while I'm here!

So today, Rusty and I went to volunteer at Viengping Children's Home.