The majority of the visitors to the Drop-In Center are older children, teenagers and young adults. Many of these children and young adults travel to Pattaya from all corners of Thailand for different reasons. Many have run away from their homes due to abuse, neglect or poverty. Many think they will have a better chance of getting work in Pattaya. Unfortunately for these children, they have difficulty in getting work due to their age.
Many end up being exploited by both Thais and foreigners, having to work in the sex industry, leading a life of criminality, addicted to drugs or begging on the streets.
The Center aims to be a place where street children who are in need can come for help offering:
1. A safe environment, a safe place to sleep.
2. Medical help and advice as most children who come to the Center cannot afford hospital treatment.
3. Food. No child should ever have to go to sleep hungry, and we provide three nutritious meals a day.
4. Short vocational courses so the older children and young adults can be trained and be better prepared to find employment.
5.Advice on many subjects, from law, to health, hygiene and employment.
How long do the children stay at the Center?
The Drop-In Center is not a long term home for children; it is a safe haven where they can stay on a temporary basis. If someone wants to return to their home, after living rough in Pattaya, arrangements will be made for them to return home whilst they stay at the Center.
It can take a long time for a young person to trust adult workers, and even longer for a young person to want to move to a more stable environment. Young children will go to live at our Children’s Home or at the new Father Ray Village.
Health Many of the visitors to the Center may have lived for long period on the streets, and have been unable to afford medical help. Skin and chest infections are common, as are sexually transmitted diseases. Many of the young people who visit the Center have lived without medical assistance for long periods of time, and many of them live with infections and diseases. They may have very little knowledge on basic hygiene so advice to help them lead a healthy life is also offered.
