Street Children Program & Drop In Center
“He may be a thief but he is also a little boy”
As we sat eating our breakfast at a restaurant open to the busy main street of this border town a little boy came up to our group begging. The shop owner was swift to react, yelling at the boy to leave. We sat in silence, the situation was awkward, caught in wondering what the “right thing” was to do.
It was at that point that our friend, a small, polite woman from the UK, spoke up boldly in defense of this little one saying “He may be a thief, but he is also a little boy”. Handing him some food and a pack of crayons, we then watched as he skipped off with a big smile. This woman’s simple yet bold response that day cut through the awkwardness and revealed heart of Jesus.
Today our staff meet with, feed and show practical love to the children on the street of this very same border town.
Our Program- Feeding the hungry, Meeting deeper needs
We are currently providing daily meals for anywhere from twenty-five to fifty children who are begging or trash collecting on the streets. Out of this consistent relationship we’ve been able to intervene and/or further assist children and families who are in at-risk or abusive situations.
Drop-In-Center
We had been meeting with these children in public places, on the street and in a small food stand owned by a local Burmese lady. Next we rented a small temporary room right in the heart of the market area. In December 2009 we signed a lease on a building that will not only provide a drop-in-location but also a place to develop programs that will help provide street children with training and alternatives to street life.
The key to this center is accessibility, located in the heart of the action in the downtown with doors always open children and families in crisis. It is a day-center where food, medication and basic education can be provided. It is our front door to assessing needs and will only accommodate overnight stay in cases of immediate crisis situations.
We need your help to fund this key ministry!
EMAIL us for more information or to request a copy of our project proposal.
