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| November 2006 Visit |
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| If you are interested in adopting a child to be their sponsor or you want more information, please write to me at [email protected] or directly to Pastor Phamor at [email protected] |
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| EOP children during our evening program and worship |
| In November 2006, I visited the children with some visitors and sponsors after our trip to Umpium Refugee camp. It is always a great time to meet the kids and to get acquainted with them. We met them on Sunday evening of 19th Nov 2006. We had a short program together. We started the program with everybody briefly introducing themselves to the group. It was a lively sessions as we get to know each of the children. After that, I had to deliver a speech. For the first time, I had to present a serious message to them. The reason was we had some of our sponsored students being dismissed from Chiangmai Academy last year because of disciplinary issues. It was disappointing to us. Pastor Phamor was at lost on how to counsel the children. On one hand |
| Basically, my message to them was the sponsors wanted them to recognize that they were among the more fortunate children who were given the opportunity for education. There were many other children out there who did not have the privilege to go to school, let alone to study in Chiangmai Adventist Academy, which is a boarding school. We wanted them to value the opportunity given to them. Therefore, we wanted them to demonstrate their appreciation by observing the four basic expectations of them. First, they are to be committed to their studies in school, which is a reasonable expectation. This means that we expect them to work hard in their studies. While we do not expect them to produce exceptionally excellent examination result, we want them to demonstrate the effort they put into their studies, like doing all their homework and school assignments, actively participating in school activities, etc. Secondly, they are to be obedient in the school and outside the school. They are to observe the school rules and the law in the country. We do not want them to get into trouble in the school or involved with unlawful act outside the school. Rules and laws are made for their protection. Thirdly, they are to learn to be independent. The older children are expected to take up some part time jobs to earn some of their own pocket money. While the sponsorship takes care of their basic educational need, we want them to contribute their own part as much as they can, without compromising their studies. Chiangmai academy offers the students part-time jobs, therefore we encourage them to take up these available jobs, especially during school vacation. Finally, they are to learn to take care of their own spiritual life. We encourage them to do personal bible reading, memorise bible verses and participate the spiritual activities with other Christians. |
| their sponsorship may be stopped and be given to other more deserving children. I felt that the children took the message well as they were aware of the expulsion of their friends from school. We had an evening worship before we had dinner together. We had some enjoyable time eating and chatting with the children before we sent them back to their dormitories. |
| On Monday morning, we paid a visit to Chiangmai Adventist Academy. It was the school's sport day, therefore all the students were involved in different type of games. We spotted our EOP children involved in different games and enjoying themselves. It was great feeling to see them happy in the school. 20th Dec 2006. |
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| we wanted to help these children and on the other hand we are also accountable to the sponsors. So, such a situation is unacceptable. Pastor Phamor requested me to speak to them, because I represent the sponsors. Therefore, the expectations we put on them was not merely Pastor Phamor's expectation, but also from their sponsors. |
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| Mosa with her sponsor Beatrice and Mrs Chin. |
| Bumeu and Meetei with me after dinner. The little girl, Maneerat, a 7 year old girl from a Hmong village, was our latest addition to the our Education Opportunity Program. She starts school in grade 1 |
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| With the expectation clearly spelt out, we cautioned the children that should they fail to abide by our expectation, |
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| Girls in the football competition during sport day in Chiangmai Adventist Academy |
| We spotted Bumeu playing football for her orange team. |
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| Boys playing Volley Ball. An unsuccessful block! Maybe because he is just too fat. |
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| The new elementary students dormitory. It is definitely better than the old dormitory, |
| Olders boys playing Sepak Terok (Cane ball). A spetacular sumersot smarsh. I don't think it went through. |
| Mrs Chin found little Maneerat in the school compound. She was so dirty that Mrs Chin felt compelled to clean her up. Demonstration of motherly love. Maneerat was too young and new to be involved in any games, but she was watching the older children playing. |