The Shelter
The statistics are staggering. In one year alone, some 100 million speed (amphetamine) tablets were seized by police and 250,000 persons were charged with possession or drug dealing. Anyone in Thailand will tell you that amphetamines isn't just a problem here. It's a flood. And it's sweeping countless thousands of young men into the grip of drug addiction. Once caught in that grip, they will do almost anything for the next 'fix'. Families are destroyed, lives wasted, and it seems there is no way out. The Shelter disagrees.
The young addicts who come to The Shelter not only 'kick the habit', they find a whole new way of living. They find acceptance and a family environment that encourages growth. At the same time, they are able to continue their education or learn valuable vocational skills. It may take months, it may take a year or even longer, but when they leave the Shelter, they walk out healed and whole. That’s what L.I.F.E. is about.
Real L.I.F.E. story:
Written by Noi*: When I was little, my family used to live under a bridge in Bangkok. My mother sold drugs and my father was on heroin. Some Missionaries visited us regularly under that bridge. My father didn’t like them. Later he was delivered to the hospital because of a tumor. My mother called the missionaries so they came and prayed for my father. The next day the cancer was gone. My father was surprised and changed his attitude. Later he started to work again but still took some drugs. Even my mother was still selling drugs because we didn’t have enough money to pay for my father’s addiction. My mother got caught by the police – again the missionaries came but they couldn’t help so my mother went to prison for one year. But she was impressed by the missionaries love and care so started to show interest in Jesus and went to church regularly.
When I turned 12, my father died. In the meantime my older brother became a drug addict. I started to become more rebellious so eventually, I was forced to leave school. I began to try drugs and ended up getting addicted.
When I was 15 I came to the Shelter for the first time. I was not really ready for a program like this, so I left after a few weeks. My second time was also not successful. Two years ago my mother got very sick and died. Before her death she encouraged me to go back to the Shelter again, so I went for another try. This time, I lived at the Shelter for 15 months and finished my program successfully. Now I’m free of drugs and have received healing for my soul. I’m free from the bad influence of my past. God gives me new hope and I dare to dream again. Now I know if I obey God, He can use me to do everything.(Addition of the Shelter: Three months ago Noi finished the program. He went to support a Christian NGO working with the poor in Kanchanaburi. He just finished a three months trial period there and wants to continue help there. Everybody there is satisfied and happy with both him and his work with them). (*not real name)
GIVE:
1. Rent and utilities: $725 US per month
2. Residents - $55 US/month/person (food, medical care, clothing)
3. Sponsor staff – (two supporters per staff) - $120/month
4. Truck - $18,000 US
5. Computer - $450 US
VOLUNTEER:
People who can give training in jobs, skills or just fun (ie: computer, guitar, fixing motorcycles, electrical work).
Contact:
The Shelter
P.O. Box 210
Klong Chan
Bangkok 10240
Thailand
E-mail:
bojhelpthai@gmail.com
