PROJECTS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
Olaf & Manuela Brellenthin founded Bethany Homes and a drop-in centre for children of slumdwellers in 2001. After a 15-year stay in South East Asia, the Brellenthins handed over the management of the house to local staff under the supervision of a local Christian foundation. Olaf and Manuela are in regular contact with the staff and children through social networks and through 1 or 2 visits a year. In September 2017 they founded the association "DOULOS christliche Dienste e.V." together with some companions. The aim of the association is to continue to support the works in South East Asia and to expand them where possible.
MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL FUNDS
As there is no public health insurance in Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, we have to dig into our own pockets when visiting a doctor or hospital. You can easily imagine how much a doctor and medicine costs. Thanks to our doctor and hospital fund we have often been able to halve the costs for the patient or, as in the case of ChaPi from Laos, to cover them completely. ChaPi arrived in Thailand with his father after a three-day journey. We organised the transport to a hospital and then accommodated father and son in the hospital. After a successful operation with a one week stay, ChaPi was discharged. ChaPi would not have seen another year of life if the operation had not taken place. Many thanks to all supporters.
BIBLE SCHOOL AND LITERATURE FUNDS
In the north and south of Thailand we support Bible schools run by local pastors, teachers and missionaries. Since most of the Bible students come from poor backgrounds, they cannot afford textbooks. In many cases, the students are also dependent on the support of sponsors to live on the school grounds or campus during the three-year training. With your financial help we can provide teaching materials, support Bible students or help the Bible School with maintenance and equipment.
BETHANY HOMES AND MAE HAE BOARDING SCHOOL
When in 2001 some children from a slum came to us in the newly founded Bethany Homes in Chiang Mai, nobody guessed that in June 2017 already more than 330 children would be living in different homes in the north of Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). Bethany Homes is now home to up to 30 children who go to a nearby school or attend a secondary school in Chiang Mai after the 9th grade. Staff, some of whom grew up in Bethany Homes, look after the daily routine and the welfare of the children entrusted to them. In addition, the children take part in activities offered by Christian communities. In this way, local churches are involved in the children's leisure activities. In a mountain village we support the boarding school Mae Hae Nüa, which is run by a Christian congregation. Thanks to the boarding school, pupils who live in remote villages and whose access and departure routes are too far away can take part in school lessons. Since 2002 we have been working in partnership with the local leaders to develop this ministry. We want to continue supporting this important branch of work.
HOMES IN MYANMNAR (BURMA)
Myanmar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Children from ethnic minorities are especially affected by poverty. The population there suffered for 50 years under a military government. Since 2005 we have been supporting homes in this country run by Christian communities. Pastors and church workers are caring for the children who have been admitted to the homes for various reasons: Street children and children who have been saved from prostitution or human trafficking find a home here and receive a school education. At the moment there are over 300 children living in 4 homes. Their help and prayers give the children a good start in life. This changes the life of every single child! We are also in personal contact with the leaders here and are regularly informed about the development of the children and homes. During our visits we ask about the well-being of the children.