WOW! Here we go again!-The ever changing goal posts 2026
Hi Friends
Well, 2026 started great, thanks to your support. The girls led an awesome outreach to a Chiang Rai school for Thailand’s Children’s Day! Gift packs, lots of treats, and English games, plenty of fun for all!
Then, yet again, enter the ever -changing goal posts. Many of you are already aware of the changes imposed by the Thai Government over the last couple of years, several new restrictions and regulatory changes related to foundation projects and Visa renewals, amongst other things.
Those of you who have been following us for a while know our hearts for helping these beautiful girls in every way possible. For many years, we’ve been praying and working toward applying for the Thai National ID card for Olivia, Mercy and Grace. In June of 2025, the Thai Government announcements inferred this process would happen for all stateless people and would be simplified. Sadly, that is not the case, and we have been told flat out that these girls’ only chance of getting a Thai ID is to apply again once they have a Bachelor’s Degree from a Thai University. One official from the district office told them, “I had no documents whatsoever and no stateless ID, but I was granted citizenship after I got my University degree.” A friend who has been working in the education system here for 20 years, said he thinks this is because the government and elites that support it have control over, and earn financial gain from Thai Universities.
Olivia, Mercy, and Lida have already graduated from the Thai High School program, with the honours of the top three students in Chiang Rai from a pool of two thousand students in the program. Grace just completed her final exams for this program, and her graduation is on April 8, 2026.
So, the next year will be full of changes with the intention to fast-track Olivia, Mercy, and Lida to attend University for the 2027-2028 academic year and Grace for the 2028-2029 academic year. They would prefer to study in English, and there are Thai Universities that offer programs in English.
By the end of June, they will have completed their 5th year of studying the A.C.E. English curriculum! For the 2026-2027 academic year, they will transition into intense online studies, with a major focus on English proficiency to prepare them to take the IELTS exam. Without the past five years of studying a minimum of 6 subjects per year in English, this wouldn’t be a possible alternative for them. It will not be easy, but with the English foundation they now have in reading, writing, and their bilingualism, with intense study, they have the potential to pass with flying colours.
IELTS stands for International English Language Proficiency Testing System. This is the most recognised English Proficiency Certification in the world, globally recognised by 150 Nations and 12,000 Institutions. The IELTS certification will gain them entry to an English program at any university and will hold more value for their future goals in combination with a degree in English. This certification globally is the most recognised proof of English Proficiency for non-native speakers. Other benefits may include aiding with scholarships, qualification to teach English, document translation, and opportunities to work as interpreters.
The estimated costs for all the girls’ continued education this next school year are 99,600 THB (CAD$4500 to $5000, depending on exchange rate fluctuations). That’s $1125 to $1200 CAD per girl for a year of continued education.
But wait, there’s more! We have decided to downsize our project/office space to a smaller house/office as our current building lease ends on April 3rd. We are moving to a location nearby that will serve as our English tutoring centre and eventually as the World Wide Life Thailand foundation office. Olivia and Lida have taken ownership of organizing the move, and in time, they will take over this house as their first place to live on their own. It will also be used for studying, their sideline businesses, and English tutoring, and the girls will help pay for some small expenses at first, eventually fully taking over. The move hasn’t been without many challenges, especially unexpected expenses because of Air Conditioners being installed and malfunctioning and power lines being “mysteriously” cut. This added up to an additional 27,000 THB (approx $1200 CAD) we hadn’t budgeted for.
Lastly, we have been affected by the fuel crisis in Southeast Asia due to the conflict in the Middle East. In Chiang Rai, we are seeing long line-ups at gas stations, and the biggest shortage is diesel fuel right now, although some stations are running out of all types of gas each afternoon. So, it’s hit and miss for us to fill the family SUV right now, as it runs on diesel. When diesel is available, as with all fuel, amounts are being rationed.
We just want to say THANK YOU to you all for your support, and we are so eternally grateful for your continued prayers, encouragement, and financial support as we navigate this difficult season.