Street Kids – Compasio

This week we are spending time with some people from Compasio in the border town of Mae Sot. Mae Sot is a very unique town. It is located directly on the Thai/Burma border. The town is quite diverse in culture and religions. You have the migrant community with the Karen and Burmese, you also have the Muslim district and then you have the Thai community. There is also this other community of people working to help the cause in Burma. Because of it’s proximity to the border people have been able to get directly involved here.

One organization that is making a huge impact is Compasio. They are a group with very big hearts. “We never say no to anyone” is a quote I’ve heard over and over again. They have taken in a few kids and committed to raising them. They also spend time with local street kids who beg in the markets. There are also a few families that they’ve begun spending time with and have invested in helping them and their kids.

Here is a brief description of who Compasio and what their organization does from their website:

Seeing a need, feeling compassion and acting with practical love on behalf of those who are poor, needy and at risk, this is the heart of Compasio. See.Feel.Act

When Allan & Joane, the founders of Compasio, first came to Thailand in 2001 while leading a Youth With A Mission (YWAM) outreach, they bumped into the issues of girls-at-risk, poverty and vulnerability, and the displaced peoples of Burma. They were shocked to hear that one of their sweet, smiling, female English students — barely in her teens — was being pressured by her mother and at immediate risk of being sent to work into prostitution.

Compasio was formed in 2006 to focus the issue of women and children at risk in Thailand. Most ministry is focussed on the migrant community and tribal groups living along the Thai-Burmese border, who are among the poorest and highest at-risk people groups of Thailand.

I personally enjoy these kids and I love what their organization is doing. I have thoroughly enjoyed our time hanging with them, their staff and the people they serve. Check out their site at http://compasio.org and find out even more about their team. They’re doing a lot and if you can donate ya should.