Charity Lenten appeal asks for just €1 a day to feed orphaned children

Just €1 a day throughout Lent could make a huge difference in the lives of orphaned and abandoned children on the Thai-Burma border, according to a new charity appeal.

Thai Children’s Trust Ireland, which supports disadvantaged and disabled children in Thailand and surrounding countries, has launched the Lenten campaign ‘Feed a Future’ to provide a child with three essential meals a day for the next three months.

The charity is supporting some 1,200 Burmese refugee and migrant children who have fled their country to escape conflict and poverty. Travelling hundreds of miles across dangerous terrain, where they are exposed to sex trafficking, drugs and life-threatening diseases like malaria and AIDS, the children arrive in the border town of Mae Sot frightened and hungry.

“Finding the resources to give these children nutritious food is a huge battle. Many suffer poor health because of their inadequate diet. Children who are hungry cannot learn,” said Adele Kierans of Thai Children’s Trust Ireland.

“In many cases the simple meals your generosity will provide are the only meals they will receive. Yet we cannot turn a hungry child away. We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who give to our campaign.”

One of the places supported by Thai Children’s Trust Ireland which is taking these destitute children, is an orphanage called Heavenly Home. Started by a couple, Lily and Thant Zin, in 2005 with just three babies, they are now taking care of 84 children – orphaned, abandoned, trafficked or whose parents are in prison or cannot look after them.

One little boy making good progress is La Moo who is now six. His father left his mother when she became pregnant. His mother was not able to take care of him so she left him at Heavenly Home when he was one year old and has not been in touch since. Malnourished and unable to afford milk powder, Lily fed him banana and rice.

He survived and staff say he has become one of the most charming and well-behaved boys. He loves to dance and has started to learn Thai – his favourite subject.

Thai Children’s Trust Ireland was officially launched in June 2013 because of the support it had received for many years from its supporters in Ireland. It helps children at risk, children with HIV/Aids, children with disabilities and refugees – providing a home, an education and a future for some 4,000 children and reaching out to thousands more through health and nutrition projects.

In Thailand, it supports projects in Pattaya, Rayong, Nong Khai in the north east, the tsunami area in the south and Burmese refugees in the west of the country. In Burma it is supporting work in the south east of the country, in Mawlamyine.

The Trust’s new ‘Feed a Future’ campaign is asking people to support its nutrition programme by giving €1 a day throughout Lent and donating the €40 to Thai Children’s Trust. See www.thaichildrenstrust.ie/feed-a-futurefor more information on the campaign.

 

Anyone interested in further work of the charity should contact Adele Adele Kierans on adele@thaichildrenstrust.ie