Befriending Project

This is where we come alongside the people in the community, to support them, pray for them, and be with them in spirit, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. Various team members will virtually befriend different families from this community, and regularly follow-up with them through various digital means.

Through virtual home visits on Zoom, they will get to build relationships with the families, hear their stories, learn about their needs, and encourage them to fulfil their potential. Giving a listening ear and practical help are ways we can communicate God’s love to these families, to remind them that they’re not alone.

We are also collecting donations to prepare a gift pack to bless each of these families. The donations collected will also be used to support any additional needs that surface during these meet-ups.

Donations for a Digital Skills Training Centre (DSTC)

We will be helping Ban Dem Rak (House Full of Love) Community Centre collect donations for a Digital Skills Training Centre. The objective of this Centre is aimed at helping locals acquire much-needed digital skills to improve their employment opportunities, during a time when jobs are harder to find as competition is even higher.

In the midst of the pandemic, the current situation for the locals in Chiang Mai calls for even greater attention since the people living in the area where Baan Dem Rak is located largely come from low-income families, and struggle to meet basic needs of daily living such as having food for the family. Education is also hindered by the Covid-19 situation since schools often have to close and on-site learning is banned. Thus there is greater value in the running of this centre to potentially help improve the lives of the people in the long run.

Equipping and Encouraging the Local Staff

The Thai ministry staff and core volunteers of Ban Dem Rak (House Full of Love) Community Centre need encouragement and support as they continue to serve the Lord in the community centre. It is certainly not easy for them to be a believer in a country where less than 1% of the population are Christians, let alone as full-time ministry workers. 

One of the ways we can help to encourage and equip these local staff is through English classes on zoom. Through these English classes, we can help them develop confidence and competency to engage in English conversations. Additionally, having English classes with them on Zoom is a great platform to build relationships with them and encourage them in the Lord. 

In addition to the English lessons, we will also be collecting donations to provide a safe and secure place for these staff to live in, the Treehouse, as they serve in a high-risk neighbourhood.