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Celebrating Success: Awarding Ceremony of the First Batch of the Integrated Mentoring Program 2024

On December 17, 2024, the Christian Outreach Centre Foundation Head Office was abuzz with excitement and pride as Mr. Wichai Yakham, the Chairman of the Foundation, hosted a momentous occasion—the awarding ceremony for the first batch of the Integrated Mentoring Program. This event marked the culmination of a comprehensive 10-week training initiative aimed at fostering growth and empowerment among participants.

A Program with Purpose

The Integrated Mentoring Program stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. Designed with a focus on Business English, Leadership, and Social Entrepreneurship, this unique initiative seeks to empower youth, single mothers, and employees by equipping them with vital skills. These skills are not just theoretical but practical, opening pathways to career advancement, entrepreneurial success, and effective leadership within various organizational contexts.

The program’s primary goal is to enable participants to harness their potential, build confidence, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and workplaces. Over the course of 10 weeks, attendees engaged in interactive workshops, real-world projects, and dynamic learning sessions tailored to their specific needs.

The Recognition Ceremony

The awarding ceremony was a heartfelt celebration of dedication, perseverance, and achievement. Held at the Christian Outreach Centre Foundation Head Office, the event gathered graduates, their families, foundation staff, and special guests. Each participant received a certificate of completion, symbolizing not just the end of their training but the beginning of new opportunities.

In his keynote address, Mr. Wichai Yakham commended the graduates for their commitment and resilience. “This program is more than just training. It’s about transforming lives and building a brighter future for individuals and communities,” he remarked. He also emphasized the importance of continuing to apply the lessons learned, encouraging graduates to serve as catalysts for positive change.

Stories of Growth and Transformation

The ceremony featured inspiring testimonials from participants, who shared how the program had impacted their lives. For many, mastering Business English had opened doors to better job prospects, while the leadership training sessions had instilled a newfound confidence to take on challenges. Others highlighted how the social entrepreneurship component had sparked ideas for community-based projects, reflecting the program’s broader vision of societal impact.

Looking Ahead

As the first batch of the Integrated Mentoring Program graduates, these individuals now stand as trailblazers for future participants. The foundation aims to expand the program, reaching more people across diverse demographics and ensuring its transformative impact resonates far and wide.

The success of this initial cohort underscores the value of well-rounded, purpose-driven training initiatives. It also serves as a testament to the Christian Outreach Centre Foundation’s commitment to fostering growth, empowerment, and community development.

Christmas Party Celebration with Elders and PWD

Date: December 13, 2024

Location: Community Health Center, Nongprakang Area

Join us for a heartwarming celebration of the Christmas season with the elders and persons with disabilities (PWD) at the Nongprakang Community Health Center. This special event will foster community spirit through meaningful activities, including:

Feeding Program: Share a warm, nourishing meal and spread love and care.

Christmas Card Creation: Craft personalized holiday cards to brighten hearts and spread cheer.

Singing Christmas Songs: Join in joyful caroling to celebrate the season together.

Celebrate the joy of giving, strengthen bonds between generations, and make lasting memories this Christmas!

From December 2 to 4, 2024, we embarked on a heartfelt mission of love and faith across three villages in Maesot, Tak Province, Thailand, bringing Christ’s hope and essential support to 300 refugee families affected by the devastating impacts of war. Guided by God’s grace, this meaningful initiative was made possible through the prayers, dedication, and generosity of our volunteers and sponsors.

What We Delivered:

Essential Supplies: As an act of Christian service, we provided blankets, rice packs, cooking oil, beans, noodles, sardines, and solar lamps, bringing comfort and light into the lives of these families.

For the Children: Reflecting Jesus’ love for little ones, we shared coloring books, colored pencils, and toys, filling their hearts with joy and their faces with smiles.

This program was more than just meeting immediate needs; it was a reflection of Christ’s compassion and a testament to His unending love. Through these acts of kindness, we sought to empower families to face their challenges with dignity and renewed faith. Moments of prayer, connection, and shared joy reminded us of the resilience God instills in the human spirit.

A Note of Gratitude:

We give all glory to God and extend our heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and volunteers who answered His call to serve. Your contributions have touched lives and created a safe haven of Christ’s love for those in need. Together, we are His hands and feet, shining His light in dark places.

Stay Connected:

Join us in being the salt and light of the earth! Follow our journey and discover how you can be part of future outreach programs. Together, we can fulfill Christ’s mission of love, bringing hope and healing to the world.

On November 7, 2024, we gathered for our Volunteers Quarterly Meeting to assess the impact of our humanitarian projects and plan future initiatives. These meetings are essential for ensuring mission-driven, consistent, and lawful engagement.

Highlights:

Impact Review: Success stories and key lessons from recent projects were shared, reinforcing the difference we’re making.

Future Planning: Volunteers contributed ideas and strategies for upcoming initiatives to maximize our reach and effectiveness.

Open Forum: A collaborative session clarified roles, addressed concerns, and strengthened team support.

Together, we’re building a stronger, united team committed to bringing hope and compassion to those in need.

Building Effective Leaders

• Objective: Develop leadership skills to manage teams and inspire change.

• Key Areas of Focus:

  • Leadership styles and principles.

  • Emotional intelligence and conflict resolution.

  • Decision-making and strategic thinking.

  • Building and managing effective teams.

• Relevance to Business English and Social Entrepreneurship:

  • Leadership training enables better articulation of ideas and directives in business English.

  • Strong leaders can drive social impact initiatives through entrepreneurship.

  • Enhances the ability to influence and motivate others within a business or social enterprise.

TRAINER: Jeremy Janzen

Business English: Language as a Tool for Success

• Objective: Improve English communication skills for the business environment.

• Key Areas of Focus:

  • Business vocabulary and terminology.

  • Writing professional emails, reports, and proposals.

  • Presentation and negotiation skills.

  • Cross-cultural communication.

• Relevance to Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship:

  • Strong communication is essential for leading teams and pitching business ideas.

  • Enables effective collaboration with international partners or investors.

  • Improves ability to convey vision and mission to stakeholders.

TRAINER: Mr. Jackson Anderson

Creating Business Solutions for Social Change

Objective: Equip participants with the skills to launch businesses with a social impact.

• Key Areas of Focus:

  • Identifying social issues and business opportunities.

  • Building a sustainable business model with a social purpose.

  • Impact measurement and scaling social initiatives.

  • Fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement.

• Relevance to Business English and Leadership:

  • Social entrepreneurs must communicate effectively in English to attract investors and partnerships.

  • Strong leadership is essential for managing social enterprises and leading teams in challenging environments.

  • Ability to influence and lead is critical for mobilizing resources and creating change.

Ms. K. Bartolo

Safe Haven Project: Relief Distribution for Burmese Refugees

Date: October 8-9, 2024

Locations: IDP Community Baptist Church, Mae Pa, Mae Sot, Tak Province, and MEC – Maesot Evangelical Church, 770 Intrakiri Street, Mae Sot, Tak

Through the Safe Haven Project, we organized a two-day relief distribution for Burmese refugees, bringing hope and assistance to those in need. With the collaborative efforts of our dedicated volunteers and generous sponsors, we reached approximately 300 families with relief packs.

Additionally, 200 children were nourished through a feeding program, and the Gospel was shared, offering spiritual encouragement alongside physical support. This mission exemplifies our faith in action, providing not only material aid but also the love and hope of Christ to those in dire circumstances.

Supporting Agape Home: Essential Supplies for Children with HIV

Date: October 7, 2024

Location: Agape Home, Baan Famui 224 Moo 1, Nongchom, San Sai District, Chiang Mai 50210

As part of our ongoing Christian humanitarian mission, we visited Agape Home to donate essential supplies in support of their noble work caring for over 100 children living with HIV. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to providing hope, love, and resources to children in need.

The donated supplies aim to address immediate needs and contribute to the Agape Home’s efforts to create a safe, nurturing environment where these children can thrive. This collaboration reflects the power of compassion in transforming lives and inspiring a future filled with possibilities.