A graduation ceremony on Saturday, September 1st, 2007, celebrated the accomplishment of 14 tribal women who successfully completed the sewing course at Ban Praphan tribal children’s home. All the students are poor with little education. Without job skills they are at high risk of being lost to drugs or prostitution.

“God gave us this vision to help Thai society and Thai people—especially young women and girls,” says Jip Nopsiri, manager and houseparent at Ban Praphan together with her husband Rachen. The couple want to see all the young people at the home have the opportunity of a brighter future.

A gift from Operation Blessing International founder, Pat Robertson, made it possible to build a classroom and purchase sewing machines. Eight young women graduated in the first class in May 2004. Fifteen more graduated in summer 2005. 

This year’s class was supported by a grant from the New Zealand Embassy, obtained and administered by Operation Blessing Foundation (Thai).

The sewing course is taught by Khun Kanchana Sopa, an accomplished seamstress and teacher who brings a wealth of experience to this project. The course includes everything from designing patterns to cutting and stitching material into shirts, skirts, trousers and even the suits worn by the girls at their graduation. 

House parents--Rachen and Jip--provide an environment where the girls can learn other important skills as they help care for the 100+ younger children at Ban Praphorn and perform daily household chores. 

Here are some words of thanks from two of this year’s graduates:

Kwan Saeweu is a 29-year-old Hmong woman with a three year old daughter. She says, “I was abandoned by my husband when my daughter was 9 months old. I have never been to school so it is very difficult to get a job to feed my daughter. …Right now I have graduated from the sewing class and I can sew now. I already have a job in a local sewing factory. With this job I can get enough money to take care of myself and my daughter.”

Piyaporn Puuluu is a 25-year-old Karen woman. She says, “Thank God for the opportunity to come and learn with the sewing project at Ban Praphan. …after I finished the sewing course I could find a job in this field. This job can help me earn enough income to support my family financially. I am very thankful for those who sponsored this project and for Ban Praphan. Your generosity has opened a new opportunity for uneducated, jobless people like me…”