When you visit a shack where poor children live, you'll find that they have next to nothing they can call their own: no toys, no books, not even a mattress to sleep on. Worst of all for the poorest of these children, they have no chance to go to school. No hope. No future.

These children cannot afford school fees, books, uniforms, daily lunch or transportation. Their parents have no dependable income, and often collect recyclable garbage for daily rent and a few bowls of rice. In many cases, their parents have abandoned them to aging grandparents.We send these kids to school.We dig deep into our own pockets and find kind sponsors from around the world to make sure these children have a chance in life. Last week over 300 of the poorest of these Bangkok slum children held their annual party at our Mercy Centre. The older kids organized the party themselves; chose the gifts to give out to the younger children (most popular item – a bedroll); cooked and served the food; gave inspired speeches; and rallied their friends in a grand celebration of life – a celebration of going to school!