Last weekend, 40 teenagers from our program gathered in Mukdahan to learn, connect, and escape their sometimes-challenging lives. It was a fantastic time of togetherness and empowerment.
Siam-Care helps nearly 200 children attend school every year. Besides making education possible for them, we also try to support them in other ways. We offer counseling, brainstorm with them about their future, and offer a shoulder to cry on. These things come together during our camps.
Believe in yourself
We kicked off with sports and games to break the ice and help the teenagers get to know each other better. We also organize a lot of training, for example, to learn how to present, to believe in yourself, and to develop your talents. During the last camp, we saw the teenagers blossom and grow in self-confidence. Something they carry over into their daily lives, even after camp.
You are not alone
During the camps, children realize they're not alone. And that they're not the only ones growing up in difficult circumstances. HIV is prevalent in many families, and almost all struggle with poverty. It's encouraging for the children to know there are others just like them. This fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, and we see that during our camps.
Own location
Fortunately, we don't need to rent a special location for our camps, as we have a large property in Mukdahan. Thanks to the Japanese embassy, ​​we were able to build a large building here a few years ago that can accommodate at least 100 people. This allows us to organize the camps on our own property, keeping them affordable.
More photos of the camp can be found here on our Facebook page