Hi everybody.  It’s back to school.  Fabulous for our kids. More food than you get at home & two helpings if you want, plus more friends to play with. Every kid you know in the slum goes to school.  It’s the cool thing to do.

Didn’t used to be that way. In  the beginning – when we began teaching kids in the slaughter house 50 years ago no one went to school.  Yes, now everyone goes to school, without even a second thought.  Even the poor say:  we’ve always gone to school. 

  That’s what Mercy Centre has done.  A Revolution.  Not supposed to happen.  The Poor not supposed to go to school.  “”But they did, and have and do…     
–to our nine hundred slum best –finest in Thailand -  first timers:  tears, sorrow & fear  leaving home the first time (without mum or grannie ) five year old  juniors (been here before) / and  noisy self confident  seniors –- 3rd year kindergarten /top of the line: six year olds,  getting ready to face that huge leap after this third and final full year of kindergarten – graduate to the first grade  -    
We at Mercy Centre are “iron fisted’ in education.  Even one kid who can not go to school is a terrible wrong. Every kid we meet on the street must go to school  It’s been tht way for over 50 years and always shall be. Thank you for walking in our parade of 900 kids  this year and 50,000 of years gone by.  All kids go to school. We have gobs of older kids in primary & secondary schools, around the city. Lots of sponsored kids – kids with Hiv Aids – kids with problems.  All in our family.  Thank you for helping.  Thank you for you also being part of our family.
Blessings 
Happy First Day of School.  Fr. Joe & our Teachers & children