CRUEL FATE

Students in art class listen to Gabe’s instructions.

“And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.” Genesis 1:3

Gusts of wind whirl cement dust into the air and ruffles the garbage piled all around. The floor is littered with stones. There are no guard rails on this fourth floor unfinished construction site on the Wat Prok Buddhist Monastery. One has an unfettered view of the luxurious Bangkok skyscrapers surrounding the temple. In the heart of luxurious and wealthy Bangkok, seventy refugee Burmese Mon children call this unfinished building their “school”. They study, eat, play, and sleep at the Monastery. They consider themselves lucky to have this opportunity.

It all started back in the 1980s with a Maryknoll priest attending meditation services in the Temple. Some monks from the persecution in Myanmar had come to Bangkok in a desperate search for a better future. Maryknoll provided assistance with Thai and English language and other subject instruction. Maryknoll helped find third countries to relocate the dislocated monks. That developed into a program of study for young people whose families had suffered terrible persecution and vicious attacks by the military regime in Myanmar.

These lively young people range from 9 years old to 19 years. Some are orphans, some have relatives around, some of them have their parents trying to survive in Myanmar while others’ parents are working in Thailand as laborers. None of these children have any sort of documentation and are technically considered non-citizens in Thailand. A cruel fate has engulfed these youth. At this tender age, they are really unaware that their future has been severely limited. What will happen to them tomorrow?

https://mklm.org/thailand/cruel-fate/

The Monks have generously provided a large third floor room for two classes with a third in the challenging conditions on the unfinished floor mentioned above. Most of the boys board in the Temple with the Monks providing a simple breakfast and dinner. The girls live outside with friends or family. All other expenses need to be covered by outside patronage.

Three full-time and one part-time teacher are paid small salaries to give what little instruction they can. Learning the Thai Language and mathematics are the priorities. There are few supplies, rudimentary books and in many cases the students are creating their own books by laboriously copying out the texts page by page.

These children will never be allowed to attend regular public schools here in Thailand. It is not a certified educational institute so they will not receive any diplomas to help them find future jobs. The best would be to gain the skills needed to help them survive in the business world once they leave school. Typically, after 4 to 6 years, the kids will wander off in search of casual labor jobs to earn enough to at least have a life.

For over 40 years Maryknoll priests, sisters and lay missioners have been supporting this program. Despite massive challenges, by the Grace of God, it has continued all this time. It is a wonderful example of the synodality which Pope Francis and now Pope Leo advocate. There are Catholic, Buddhist and Protestant all working together for the benefit of these young people.

Here is a true example of nonviolence in action. Good people have stepped up and reached out to these strangers in their time of need. Monks, Catholics, Protestants and just simple people provide instruction, financial support and love to these unfortunate souls. This is truly the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. It is a powerful light shining against a deluge of evil intent.

I hope to be of some presence to this “school” in the future. The work being done is something quite commendable. I am presently searching for decent textbooks so they can at least have proper books to use.

If you would like to be part of my mission you can support my efforts to strengthen the good people of Myanmar living in Thailand. Please send any financial contributions to: Maryknoll Lay Missioners, P.O. Box 307, Maryknoll, NY 10545-0307. Write my name on the check so I will be assured of getting it.

God bless all people of good will. Gabe