THE REV SOMPHAN SANGKHEN comes from the remote village of Huey Paraai in the beautiful hill country, an hour’s drive west of Chiangmai, Thailand.
About 20 years ago, his parents sent his older brother and himself to Chiangmai to get an education as there was no school in their village. It was an extremely tough time for both of them. His older brother ran home after only a few months because he could not take the hardship, leaving him to fend for himself. He made his own shelter from discarded construction materials. He was miserable, but somehow he survived.
His story is not unique. Each year, hundreds of children from remote mountain villages make the same journey to nearby cities in order to go to school. They live in the open – by the fences of schools or deserted forest clearings in makeshift shelters. They rely on donations for food. Most of them are malnourished.
Nine years ago, he took over from his father the role of Pastor of Genesis Methodist Church. With consistent help from Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church, Singapore and an international relief NGO called Heifer, he worked hard to improve the economic and social wellbeing of his community. Ang Mo Kio MC pastors and members who visited him regularly through the years brought back encouraging reports of the increase of the number of cattle, pigs, poultry and fish – not to mention solar panels, motorcycles, trucks, satellite dishes and TV sets.
The Rev Somphan decided that his church must do something to help the many children sleeping rough in the open as once he himself had to. They may not be able to help all of them – but they certainly could help a few.
His church gave them food and clothing whenever they could. Three years ago, they approached Heifer who helped them purchase a piece of land. Together with some parents, they built shelters made of bamboo and hay. They also asked the Methodist Missions Society (MMS) to buy rice fields to provide a regular supply of rice for the children.
At the beginning of this year, another NGO, the Bridge of Life, built beautiful permanent structures so that they can now house up to 80 children. They even put in a computer room with 10 computers. Now, 80 children have a proper place to live in but the Rev Somphan still has to raise money every month to buy food and uniforms and provide transportation to and from school.
The MMS partners with many responsible leaders like the Rev Somphan to bring hope to more than 700 children living in extremely difficult situations. Just S$30 a month will ensure that a child receives adequate shelter, an education and enough food. If you would like to help these children, please send your gift to the “Methodist Missions Society”, 70 Barker Rd #06-01 Singapore or contact me at 6478-4818 for more details.
The Rev Dr Norman Wong is the Executive Director of the Methodist Missions Society.
