An ‘Abundant Life’ for Thai orphans

Karen observed Jinthanna rocking in her crib to soothe herself. Nurses did not pick her up, feed her or bathe her. Karen learned that, if the baby cried, she was hit to silence her.

Staff expected the HIV-positive baby to die, and did not feel the need to focus their strained resources on her.

“Go pick her up,” a voice inside Karen’s head insisted.

She tried to ignore the message, but it persisted. Finally, Karen gave in. The baby grabbed Karen’s hand and rubbed it along her cheek.

That was it.

This interaction led to the fulfilment of Karen’s lifelong dream – to open an orphanage. Now, she – with her husband and four daughters – runs the Abundant Life Home (ALH) in Chonburi, Thailand, an area southeast of Bangkok. The ALH, which first opened in spring 2006, has since grown to two homes – one for boys and one for girls – with a total of 14 children.

An even bigger project is underway. Three acres of land were purchased in November for the construction of seven four-bedroom homes, a park, office buildings and conference centre. The Sanchez family was assisted in this project by Abbotsford’s Dan Ratzlaff, who formed the Thailand Development Team to offer ongoing support.

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