A difficult update…
We have some difficult news to share with you about our Children’s Home in Thailand. The “House Dad”, Banya, has decided to leave his wife Rapee, the girls, and the home.
We were heartbroken when we heard this news. Banya and Rapee have had a strong marriage for the last 30 years, and a very stable family. They have a long history working with impoverished people in the high mountain villages of Thailand, and they have dreamed of running their own children’s home for almost 30 years. Everyone involved in this decision believed we had chosen a loving, reliable, committed, and stable couple to run the Children’s Home that we helped establish.
Unfortunately, even the best laid plans can fall apart. Banya left shortly after the home opened (the girls never really got to know him at all). It was completely out of character for him, and very shocking to all of us that knew him. He has always been a humble, tender, compassionate man. We never expected this to happen.
We weren’t sure how to share this shocking news. We struggled with sharing such a private matter online, because we want to respect the privacy of our Thai partner Rapee. At the same time – it’s very important to us to be an honest and transparent organization. We have personally contacted the donors who have given to this project in the past and explained the situation to them, but we didn’t want to withhold information from donors who may want to invest in the future. We decided it was important to explain the situation and our future plans as we move forward in partnership with The Promised Land Children’s Home.
Our plan was always to have a loving Mom and Dad in this home. We believe every child deserves parents – and to have loving House Parents in a small, stable children’s home was our hope. It is unfortunate and frustrating that there is not a “House Dad” who is present anymore, but we are still committed to this home. The “House Mom” Rapee is still committed to this home. She has suffered a devastating loss and in many ways feels widowed. She loves her husband and did not want him to leave. But she also loves the 8 little girls who are in the home. She has dreamed of being a mother for a long, long time, and she is thrilled she now has the opportunity to parent these little girls! We’re really proud of the way that she has handled all of this. In the midst of losing her husband, she fought to stay strong for the girls. She never wavered in her commitment to them, or her love for them.
A single parent household may not be our ideal, but when little girls have been abandoned, abused, and neglected – a safe, loving single parent home is still a GREAT thing! We have to focus on the positives moving forward. These girls were impoverished and hopeless before coming to this home. They were in situations that put them at risk for trafficking. They were not getting the care they needed to thrive. And now they are safe… they are loved… and they are flourishing in their new home!
The girls call Rapee mother, and she calls them her daughters. They are happy and healthy. They are adjusting to their new home and doing great in school! They are working together on sustainability projects (like raising pigs and growing a garden). They are learning how to harvest vegetables and how to cook. They sing songs and play together like sisters. They are slowly, but surely, becoming a family!
We are still confused and hurt by Banya’s decision, and it presents some challenges for the future. But we are committed to this home, and the future of these 8 little girls. We want to protect them and provide for them, and we hope you do too!
Right now, we are looking for individuals to commit to support this home monthly. Any amount will make a big difference in the lives of these little girls! If you would like to donate (monthly or a one time gift), click here and write “Thailand” in the designation box.<