Sewing Project; House of Blessing.

Thailand is one of the fastest economic grown countries in Asia that brings more gaps between the rich and the poor. The Northern Part of Thailand be known as one of the most diversity of poverty problems in Thailand according to the refugees situation , non- citizenship , HIV/AIDS , Human Trafficking , Child-labor and drugs leave a lot of children in the hopeless – they don’t know their own future and also no peace in their life and trend to involve with crime. Many of young girls ended up in sex trade since there is no better choice for them to make. Baan Pra Porn, we concerned and responded this problem by starting the Vocational/Technical Training “Sewing Project” to train young girls who are at risk to learn the skill of dressmaking. After one year training they could have new future and support their own communities.

In April 2001, the Operation Blessing Foundation (Thai) gave an initial grant that allowed us to begin the Sewing Project. Initially, we helped 15 young girls, ages 16 to 20, from far mountain villages to learn the skill of dressmaking. Eight (8) of these girls successfully completed the course while the other seven (7) left after a year of training when they found sewing jobs.

Last July 2005, thirteen (13) out of fifteen (15) 2 nd Batch of students who learned the craft successfully completed the Sewing Course. CANADA FUND provided the funding for this second batch of young girls. It covered their needs and educational expenses from July 2004 till July 2005. And the 3rd Batch of students just graduated on July 2007 which coverd the cost by New Zealand embassy.

Every year another set of fifteen (15) girls; 16 to 20 years of age, from various tribal villages are now seeking help from ‘Baan Phra Porn’ to give them this same opportunity. With this opportunity comes a need for additional funds.

STATEMENT OF OUTCOME:

Girls who participate in the Sewing Project at Baan Phra Porn will learn the craft of dressmaking and the value of hard work. After they finish the course, they will have a better chance to compete with others when looking for good job opportunities, and therefore become productive citizen-contributors to society.

More importantly, teaching them sewing skills will lower their risk of being sold into prostitution, drugs or child-labor; problems that are prevalent among poor and tribal peoples in northern Thailand.

TEACHER’S QUALIFICATION:

Khun Mae Kanchana is the Home’s dressmaking teacher. She received her diploma from Rapee Cloth Making School in Bangkok and for the next 10 years she managed the school. Later on, she opened her own boutique house, which she ran successfully for 20 years. Khun Kanchana is now 66 years old and would like to devote her “golden years” to helping underprivileged girls to learn the craft of sewing.

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