Inspiration in founding the Shining Orphanage:
Mr.Wichai
Chaocharoen
In my memory, about 40 years ago. Most rural villages in Thailand were remote areas and villagers’ lives were threatened by drug trafficking. So most schools in remote areas were Border Patrol Schools and the teachers were also Border Patrol policemen. The school I studied at in my childhood was a Border Patrol School either.
When I was about 5 years old, I remember that every day my sister and I had to wake up early and walk from our farmhouse to school before sunrise, a distance of about 10 kilometres. On the way, we walk through mountains, jungles and streams. Some days, we arrived the school late, and our friends were already in class.
After school, we walked back to our farmhouse on the same footpath and it was almost already dark when we arrived home.
When I was about 5 years old, I remember that every day my sister and I had to wake up early and walk from our farmhouse to school before sunrise, a distance of about 10 kilometres. On the way, we walk through mountains, jungles and streams. Some days, we arrived the school late, and our friends were already in class.
After school, we walked back to our farmhouse on the same footpath and it was almost already dark when we arrived home.
Even though the round trip was about 20 kilometres per day and we didn’t get to study much because there were few teachers, I never felt tired. Instead, I loved going to school, reading books, and listening to some storytelling by teachers.
One storytelling that I never forget even though it was a long time ago. It is about a huge ship in the ocean.
One day, my teacher told me and my classmate that our world has huge water called “the ocean” and in the ocean, there is a very huge ship floating. Inside the ship, it can carry dozens of aeroplanes and there are hundreds or thousands of people on it. We were amazed and very wondered if our world had something like this. And that was the first time I wanted to go out and see the world.
One storytelling that I never forget even though it was a long time ago. It is about a huge ship in the ocean.
One day, my teacher told me and my classmate that our world has huge water called “the ocean” and in the ocean, there is a very huge ship floating. Inside the ship, it can carry dozens of aeroplanes and there are hundreds or thousands of people on it. We were amazed and very wondered if our world had something like this. And that was the first time I wanted to go out and see the world.
Soon my wish came true. One day, my dad heard that there was a new opening orphanage in another district which is not far from Chiang Mai City. That orphanage provides free housing and meals for orphans and poor boys who live in a remote area to stay and go to a nearby school. So my dad moved me to that orphanage.
And for many years from that day, I hardly saw my parents because they had no money for transportation to visit me. At that time I was about 8 years old and I missed my hometown so much. However, with the love that I wanted to study, I was patient until I graduated my junior high school.
The orphanage supported only the ones who studied in primary school and junior high school. So after I finished the 9th grade. I had 2 choices, go back to my village and don’t think much about the future or further study by responsible for my expenses.
Thank God for I chose the second choice. I furthered my studies and found a part-time job to earn my income. For example, a waiter, a bellboy, a security guard, a gas jockey, receptionist, etc.
And for many years from that day, I hardly saw my parents because they had no money for transportation to visit me. At that time I was about 8 years old and I missed my hometown so much. However, with the love that I wanted to study, I was patient until I graduated my junior high school.
The orphanage supported only the ones who studied in primary school and junior high school. So after I finished the 9th grade. I had 2 choices, go back to my village and don’t think much about the future or further study by responsible for my expenses.
Thank God for I chose the second choice. I furthered my studies and found a part-time job to earn my income. For example, a waiter, a bellboy, a security guard, a gas jockey, receptionist, etc.
In my childhood, I can say that I was an unprivileged child because my family was extremely poor. I remember that there were many nights I went to bed hungry. Several times, I wanted to go to school without worrying about my stomach. Sometimes I had a dream but I tried to don’t think about it much because, at that time, it was too far for a poor boy like me.
Until one day I read the Holy Bible and found that;
“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get an understanding.”
-Proverbs 4:7
Until one day I read the Holy Bible and found that;
-Proverbs 4:7
Then I realized that education is for wisdom, not simply knowledge nor simply skills. It is the ability to make correct judgements and decisions. Since then, I prized wisdom and tried to further my studies at university. I studied during the day and worked at night for years and I finally graduated. Thank God, this is by the grace of God.
So, if today there is a child, especially an unprivileged child. If he/she has a dream, wants an opportunity to study, and desires a better life. I wish to fulfil his/her desire due to I used to be like that before, even if, it is not much.
So, if today there is a child, especially an unprivileged child. If he/she has a dream, wants an opportunity to study, and desires a better life. I wish to fulfil his/her desire due to I used to be like that before, even if, it is not much.
