For the past three years, we have been working together with a poor community of ethnic Mokan (sea gypsies) living on Koh Lao, an island in Ranong Province. This traditionally seafaring community must now make their homes on the land, where they struggle for most necessities, including food, water, basic health care, and the education of their children.

Over 500 Bangkok children are currently enrolled in our Education Sponsorship Program. These are among the poorest children in Bangkok – children who could never afford the most basic school necessities without the support they receive from our education sponsors. These children are also at a very high risk of HIV, starting in their teenage years.

During a world tour sponsored by the International Peace Foundation, the renowned Clown Reinhard visited Mercy last Saturday and performed in front of a tough and demanding crowd of 100 Mercy children. Yet as tough and demanding as our kids normally are, it didn’t take Clown Reinhard long to win them over. In fact, the moment he appeared, introduced himself, sat down on a chair, and fell on his behind, he had our children in stitches. Several young boys and girls were rolling on the floor with laughter (see photo below). After the show, Clown Reinhard gave a playful clown workshop for our kids. 

Last week, five hundred and five slum children received their diplomas during the annual Mercy Preschool graduation ceremonies. Moms, dads, grandmoms, brothers, sisters, aunties, community leaders, and many of our local school sponsors joined in the celebration, a balance of traditional pomp and riotous fun. Fr. Joe, wearing his doctoral robes for the occasion, presented a diploma to each graduating student; and at the end of the ceremony, in a thunderous “call and response” speech, Fr. Joe encouraged the children in no uncertain terms to stay in school. “If your mom plays cards and your dad is drunk, what do you do?” he shouted out.

There is at least one wonderful advantage to life in a large family like ours.

We (my Mercy Centre family and I) stumble through life… never knowing the lyrics nor the music to the songs that every new day brings to each of us… never knowing the storyline of each sunrise or sunset.