7 disadvantaged children have joined us for our STREETKIDS! Songkran outing in Chiang Mai. We are also using this opportunity to assess the needs of these 7 children and determine their suitability to join the streetkids! programme.

Left to Right (Mean, Nung, Wan, Yong,  Jer,  Kig, Kuak)

Nong Mean – 6 year old girl – Mother is suffering a terminal brain infection and cannot afford to take care of her children anymore. Family relies on alms to get by day to day

Nong Nung – 9 year old girl – Father died in a car crash last year and her family cannot afford to raise their children. Nung hangs around with street gangs and the mother has problems controlling her.

Nong Wan – 7 year old girl – Younger sister of Nung. Same problems.

Nong Yong – 9 year old boy – Suffered family neglect and his father remarried. Known for petty theft within the village. Family does not have enough to make ends meet.

Nong Jer – 8 year old boy – Was beaten and suffered a head injury when he was sent to a monastery as such his responses are slower than most. Jer is also involved in substance abuse.

Nong Kig – 12 year old boy – Involved in street gangs and has a history of vice and glue sniffing. Little interest in studies.

Nong Kuak – 13 year old boy – Current Glue gang leader and serious history of street vice. Was brought in by another child on our streetkids programme.

If the children are assessed to be suitable for the programme,  child sponsors will needed quickly to enrol these children to school and stay on our STREETKIDS! programme. Each sponsorship covers full board for the child at  SGD98/month with a minimum commitment for 1 year.

We’d like to invite our readers and potential children sponsors to  indicate their interest in supporting and making a difference in the lives of these children. To indicate your interest and receive more details, please email Ms Minwei at minwei@radion-international.org

Notes : UN Department Of Economic and Social Affairs defines disadvantaged youth as : “[young people] without adequate access to education and health services; adolescents who have dropped out of school; pregnant adolescents; young single parents; young people who are HIV positive or at particular risk of HIV/AIDS; young refugees or displaced persons; racial, linguistic and ethnic minorities; homeless youth; young people with disabilities; girls and young women affected by gender inequalities”.