Providing Hope and Education: Refugee Children and Orphans Center Thrives at Myanmar-Thailand Border

As Children's Sabbath approaches on July 22, 2023, the Children's Ministry Department (CHM) of the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists draws attention to critical work being accomplished worldwide. While Children's Sabbath serves as a global reminder of the significance of children within the Church, it also presents an opportunity to shine a light on the Refugee Children and Orphans Center situated along the Myanmar-Thailand border. This center for children facing adversity provides spiritual and educational opportunities as well as a haven of safety from the border conflict.

Refugee Children and Orphans Center: A Lifeline for Vulnerable Youth

Along the Myanmar-Thailand border, the current humanitarian crisis has left many children traumatized, in need, and lacking educational opportunities. Recognizing the need to support these children, Nareerat Putikasetkit, CHM director of the Western Border Attached Region, established the Refugee Children and Orphans Center in 2018. The center aims to address the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of these children.

Orathai Chureson, director of CHM, explains, "We have started a ministry to encourage these children to grow up in a strong church and become good adults in society." The center provides essential services such as health promotion activities, recreational programs, scholarships, and various initiatives to promote mental and spiritual well-being. 

Education is a vital component in transforming the lives of children in Myanmar and Thailand. Through partnerships with Adventist schools and institutions, vulnerable children receive a quality education, empowering them to overcome the disadvantages impacting them most. Additionally, the children live in dormitories where teachers and mentors provide academic instruction and guide them in studying the Bible and developing a strong spiritual foundation.

Empowering Children for the Future

A crucial aspect of the ministry's mission is ensuring the long-term support of the children after they leave the program. Chureson highlights the involvement of churches in nurturing and guiding these children, “We have churches that take care of these children by teaching them the Bible to understand and be able to use it in their lives, by supporting and encouraging them.” Moreover, a dedicated youth network provides assistance as these children transition into adulthood. Chureson adds, “[The] youth network helps them to become strong and steadfast individuals of faith.”

Transformed Lives: A Testament to the Refugee Children and Orphans Center’s Impact

Putikasetkit shares the value children hold at the center, “We have seen the importance of these children who will grow up and become the hope of the community and the church. This ministry involves preaching to children who do not yet know God so that we can share His love and bring these children to Him.”

Saw Gay Eh and Saw Eh Moo arrived at the Refugee Children and Orphans Center after the passing of their father. With no one to care for them, the brothers discovered a safe space and newfound family at this new home.

According to Putikasetkit, "They really love the school and have made many new friends. They like the environment because the teachers at the school take care of them, provide them with food, clothes, and accommodation." The brothers' lives took an extraordinary turn as they were introduced to Jesus, a first-time encounter for them. Over the years, their understanding of God deepened, leading them to make a life-changing decision to follow Jesus.

In 2022, both brothers were baptized. Putikasetkit shares, "Both brothers were afraid to go back home. If they go back home, they would have to enter monkhood, and they would not have the opportunity to hear the word of God or participate in the morning and evening devotions like they do at school.” Determined to continue their education and help others, Saw Gay Eh and Saw Eh Moo are grateful for the center's impact on their lives.

Children's Sabbath: “Fiercely Faithful”

At the heart of CHM's mission is the recognition that children are vital and should be cherished. Children's Sabbath, takes center stage in this vision, as a day where members unite to honor and affirm the gifts that children bring.

Whether preaching, singing, reading Scripture, or performing skits, Children’s Sabbath is a day where children take ownership of their place in the local church. Chureson emphasizes the significance of this day for children, “Serving strengthens their relationship with the church. Taking ownership means seeing their place within the local church family and realizing their own potential to grow in their service for God and enabling them to experience spiritual fulfillment.”

Regarding this year's theme, "Fiercely Faithful," Chureson shares, "The enriched and planned worship program and fellowship experiences will foster children's spirituality and their faithfulness to God with a sense of pride and assurance of God's presence and blessing upon them into the future."

CHM encourages the worldwide Church family to participate in Children’s Sabbath. Churches can refer to CHM’s free resource package, available in English and Spanish. It includes a planning outline, sermon outline, optional supply ideas, ideas for activities and skits, and advertising materials.

As the Church prepares to celebrate Children's Sabbath, it’s essential to remember the millions of children like Saw Gay Eh and Saw Eh Moo who face adversity in various regions of the world. On July 22, the Church will come together to honor and affirm the gifts of all children worldwide. Let us celebrate the invaluable presence of children within our local churches and extend our prayers and support to those facing hardship. Together, we can create a world where every child is valued, empowered, and fiercely faithful.

For more information on Children's Sabbath, please visit the CHM website. To stay connected to what is happening at the Refugee Children and Orphans Center, follow this Facebook page.