Thailand Foster Care Transition Homes

This year, we have cared for two foster children. 

Nam was diagnosed with Reactive Attachment Disorder and decided she wanted to try living on her own instead of being in a family structure. She is 17, and will be 18 in June, so she moved out and is working to support herself. Since she was in 7th grade, she has wanted to drop out of school, but her previous placement was able to enforce her staying in school to finish her 9th grade diploma, which is the legal education minimum in Thailand to be able to get a job. She had been attending 10th grade, but decided to give up on her education and work instead. She has financial resources from the legal settlement of the driver who killed her sister, so she is able to rent an apartment and provide for herself as she looks for a good job. While it is disappointing that she chose this path instead of finishing high school and staying in a family environment, we are always ready to support her if she needs our assistance in the future. We wish her a healthy and happy life. 

Focus made it to 9th grade graduation! When he was in the government orphanage they didn't think he would be able to adjust his behavior to keep from getting kicked out of school, but living with a stable and encouraging foster family transformed his life. He was consistent in attending school and will be going on to study to be an electrician at vocational school. Sadly, there are no vocational schools within an hour of where Jay and Butsaba live, so he has transitioned into a foster home that is walking distance from his new school. He will spend the summer with his mom and then move to the new foster home. His mother has intellectual disabilities so is unable to care for him long term, full time, but wants him to stay in school. Focus has been a joy to watch develop and mature and we are so proud of the progress he has made in the past 3 years!