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The Family International South Asia

Overviewof our work in South Asia

The South Asia region is unique in its diversity, being that each country has its own culture, religion, and political and socio-economic structure. The majority of the populations in the region are Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist, and religion is closely integrated into each country’s cultural and social mores. Our mission is to reach out to all people—including the needy and the underprivileged—with a message of love and hope, to promote the importance of the family unit and childhood training, and to offer opportunities for personal growth and development. We believe that if each person were to reach out to others in need, it would inevitably help to make the world a better place.

Country Pages

Project Highlights

Anti-Drug Programs | Drug abuse is a widespread problem in Thailand, especially targets the youth and laborers. Over the last fifteen years, the Family has participated in numerous drug-awareness and prevention programs, seminars, concerts, and therapeutic group activities in schools, colleges, rehabilitation and juvenile detention centers, reaching hundreds of thousands. Combining a drug-awareness/anti-narcotic theme with music and drama has proven to be a most effective approach in reaching the youth. We also provide classes and activities that can assist these youngsters in their struggle to integrate back into society and lead productive lives after undergoing rehabilitation.

Free health service--Indonesia | In Pasi, an Indonesian village in Lhoong District, Greater Aceh, the northwest of the island of Sumatra, the people of the village have come to rely on the services of the doctors, nurses, and free medicines that Family volunteers have been able to coordinate and supply. This initiative also includes a program of ongoing health and nutrition education, which is conducted in the district for parents, who also receive nutritional supplements in the course of this instruction. Stories & articles

Child Protection Shelter | Family International volunteers have worked closely for the past three years with a child protection shelter that is home to 35 children, mostly girls, between the ages of 5 and 17, who have been rescued from abusive situations or sexual exploitation. We've donated five computer set ups, a set of children's educational videos, and other school equipment. We've also painted bright murals on the garden wall and coordinated the construction of a second story for the shelter to provide bedrooms for the children and staff, a study room, recreation room, and toilets. The new rooms have enabled us to set up an English classroom and an IT room where the girls receive daily language and computer classes. Stories & articles | Photo album

NGO assistance -- Indonesia | In Jakarta, Indonesia, FCI has been involved in supporting and encouraging the work of Himmata, a local NGO run by Mr. and Mrs. Siswandi. From its humble beginnings in one of the poorest slums in Jakarta, the program has grown tremendously--from living with up to 50 street kids in their own small shack, to their present day lovely and spacious house that the children can call home. Stories & articles | Photo album

Empowering the Hearing Impaired | The Family’s work with India’s hearing impaired began nearly 20 years ago. Today, we work with over 3,000 deaf youth in 100 cities all over India and conduct weekly personality development programmes for them. The Family has opened Deaf Clubs in 64 cities. These clubs provide deaf youth the opportunity to learn sign language, as well as practical life skills. We provide entrepreneurial skill training, health workshops, pre- and post-marital counseling for the deaf, computer training, job placements, and legal aid. The Family also organizes sports events, quiz competitions, and other cultural events for the hearing impaired. Stories & articles | Photo album

Rural School Assistance | We regularly visit a large public primary school for children from impoverished families in the province of Siem Riep, bringing school supplies, food, clothing, and other necessities. We've been able to build a teacher's room, a lavatory for the students, we've sponsored the salary for two English teachers, and hosted an English camp for 100 students, which included five different workshops. In partnership with sponsors, we've also set up a computer lab with 20 computers, as well as furnished electricity, desks, and educational materials for the students. At the end of 2007, thanks to a generous donation, we organized the removal of a dilapidated school building and replaced it with a new brick structure that will accommodate three classrooms.

Tsunami Relief Work | The tsunami that hit the Southeast Asian region in December 2004, resulted in the worst disaster ever in Thailand’s history. As was witnessed worldwide, in a matter of minutes, an idyllic holiday paradise was thrown into a maelstrom of devastation, death, confusion, grief, loss, and pain of body and spirit. The need for assistance was dire and immediate. Government action was swift, yet the needs seemed to be endless. A two-pronged relief plan enabled a team of Family members to arrive within a day after the disaster hit, while some teams stayed back to collect donated goods for the survivors. Family members served in various ways, from acting as translators, to helping foreigners who were seeking their missing loved ones, to serving as cooks and caregivers. However, perhaps the most important service of all was our role as grief counselors to the traumatized survivors, both adults and children alike. Stories & articles | Photo album

Educational Supplies to Needy Schools | For over 15 years, there has been close cooperation between the Family, members of the business community, and the local education office of many provinces. This very successful endeavor has improved the quality of education for thousands of underprivileged students who have benefited from donated books, audio-visual aids, school supplies, and food. Qualified members also assist in conducting motivational seminars and English camps for the teachers, school staff, and students.

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