MaeNaChorn, Chiang Mai

MaeNaChorn Children`s Home takes care of 50 children mainly from the Karen hill tribe. It is located a ways outside of MaeNaChorn, surrounded by hills and beside a flowing river where the children can go swimming.

The MaeNaChorn Children’s Home started out in early 1995 as a hostel project in a rented house. Soon after MaeNaChorn Children’s Home was started, we were able to buy a piece of land and build simple bamboo buildings which were replaced bit by bit. At the moment we have sustainable buildings connected to the main electrical supply with running water and a small library with 5 computers.

The nearby main road has improved a lot over the years from a mud track to a decent road. Therefore tourists are passing by daily and we decided to open a small guest house (B&B): Hot Coffee. It includes a few rooms for rent and a restaurant. 100 % of the profit Hot Coffee generates is being used to finance our Children’s Home. Our intended goal is for the Children’s Home to become financially self supporting.

About the Children at Mae NaChorn

Most of the children from the children home at Mae NaChorn come from difficult family backgrounds. For example some children are orphans, are not wanted, have been abused, raised by a single parent or grand parents, have parents that are terminally ill or have parents with addiction problems like alcohol or drugs.

The children are looked after by two couples. They help to look after the children’s needs, helping them to do home work, showing them how to raise livestock and grow vegetables. They attend a local government school with grades up to high school. After they graduate we encourage them to either go for further studies or vocational training.

The Children’s Homes is a greater responsibility for us and our staff, but we trust that we can provide the children with a good environment so that they can grow well in body, spirit and mind.