Camillian Social Center Chiangrai

About

• Based In Thailand

When more than 400 years ago, Camillus de Lellis formed a community of brothers to serve the sick out of love, he was living out his charism – his gift of the Spirit for the good of God’s people. Camillus took this special gift and nourished it with sacrifice, vision and charity. Its success led to the charism being developed into a passionate Catholic force – the Camillian charism – one that has, and continues to, touch the lives of millions.

It has been just over 60 years since the first three missionaries of the Camillian Order arrived in Thailand in 1952 with this same mission – to provide services to the poor, sick and elderly, through the support of God, and a sense of love and compassion.

Move forward 20 years and in 1973 Saint Camillus Foundation of Thailand was established and expanded the help to needing people to the North of Thailand. Run by the Camillian monastic order, the charity's objectives are to promote and support the activities of its 10 centers that continue to serve its Order mission. The Camillian Social Center Chiangrai is one of these.

Our center’s mission also began in 1973. It was at this time that victims of leprosy began migrating from Laos and China to what is now known as the village Ban Sriwichian in the Chiang Rai province. With so many sick, the missionaries of the Camillian Order began caring, nursing and providing spiritual guidance to these patients – and with so many other villagers poor, elderly and in need, this then expanded to developing the entire community. As well as health care; drinking water, farmland, a community church and kindergarten were also established – and 40 years on, our center is now situated in the heart of this village and our support remains strong.

In 1992, the Camillian Social Center Chiangrai officially became registered and as the years have progressed, our initial support for the victims of leprosy and the Sriwichian community has broadened. Our original work highlighted just how many disadvantaged remote communities and children there are in need around Northern Thailand and through our dedication to the Order, we have expanded our support to include the children of leprosy patients and hill tribe children that are poor, orphaned or living with physical and learning difficulties.

Our aim is to ensure that all hill tribe children throughout Northern Thailand and their communities are given the opportunity to build a better life. Our hope is that one day, all disadvantaged children and the hill tribe communities we serve will have free access to social care, health care and education, regardless of wealth, nationality and religion.

The founder of the Camillian Social Center Chiangrai, Br. Giovanni Dalla Rizza had visited children’s villages many times where he found that many children living with disabilities were left unattended at their houses while their parents worked in the fields. Many disabled children had no access to medical treatment as their parents are hill tribes people living in remote area on the mountain.

The Home of Charity was officially inaugurated on November 15, 2009 and provides free on-site care, rehabilitation and education for children with physical and learning difficulties. Our aim is to provide our children with an opportunity for future independence. The majority of our residents are hill tribe children from Northern Thailand. Most of them are from the Akha tribe, others are from Karen, Yao, Hmong and Lahu. Many children come from poor and broken families.

Project objectives
1. To provide children with disabilities in Northern Thailand with free health care and physical rehabilitation
2. To ensure children with disabilities have equal access to a good education
3. To train and empower children with disabilities to become self-reliant in the future

Target
Poor local and hill tribe children living with physical, learning difficulties and hearing disability

Project approach

Health care and rehabilitation

Health care and physical rehabilitation is the main focus of the Home of Charity and the needs of our children are varied. Each child has neurological complications and many of our children’s medical issues are from birth or from their early years. Children may be born at home with their mothers not receiving any pre or postnatal care; others have long-term side effects from illnesses that occur in early childhood.

Each child has a tailored physical therapy program which often includes the use of our aquatic therapy pool and all staff have been trained to conduct each child’s program of care. Most of our children have difficulties ambulating, so the Home of Charity requires sufficient staff members in order to help our children achieve their goals. At present, each staff member is responsible for a maximum of three children. It is incredibly rewarding for the staff to see how many months of repetitive stimulation improves the children's physical ability.

Skills development

In addition to the physical therapy program, we provide a well-rounded program to stimulate and educate the children. The Home of Charity is registered as a Home School, and follows a general teaching curriculum that has been tailored to suit the children's abilities.

The Home of Charity relies on the enthusiasm, expertise and education of its volunteers and care providers to teach and share knowledge with the children. In addition to teaching Thai, English, mathematics, computing and social studies, our children take part in a number of activities designed to challenge them to think and play constructively using cognitive and physical skills. Research shows that all of our children are happy and enjoy current the schedule.

Further Education

After the children reach grade 6 and graduate at our Home School, they will further their education at the Sri Sangwan, School for Children with Disability in Chiang Mai. The school offers education for children and young people with a wide variety of disabilities; it operates from kindergarten to grade 12 with about 250 students. The students suffer from Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Bifida, Spinal Cord Injury, Congenital Anomaly, Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenital, Muscular Dystrophy, Polio, Loss of Limbs and Autism.

Children who have hearing disability will be sent to study at the Anusan Sunthon School for the Deaf, Chiang Mai.

Children who have learning and intellectual disability will be sent to study at the Chiang Rai Panyanukun School, Chiang Rai.