Center in Thailand Shelters Orphaned, Abandoned, and Destitute Children

Nestled in the hills near Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand, the Kirsten Jade Rescue Centre (KJRC) is a haven for orphaned, abandoned, and destitute children.

Operating for more than 25 years, the center provides a nurturing Christian environment where children can thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Named in memory of Kirsten Jade, a young Australian girl who tragically died in a farming accident, the center operates under the banner of Adventist Rescued Children’s Care (ARCC) in Thailand. In Australia, ARCC sits under the banner of Projects of Promise (PoP), which is a voluntary organization providing a support network to Adventist charities. ARCC also oversees a children’s home at the Berklo refugee camp on the Thailand/Myanmar border. It houses 13 children who attend Eden Valley School, which is run by Helen Hall.

Australian Althea Thomson, KJRC’s administrator, first visited the center in 2009 on a medical building trip and fell in love with the children. “By the grace of God, we are still here,” she said during a recent visit with members of the South Pacific Division Executive Committee who attended the 2024 year-end meetings.

Currently home to 42 children, the youngest just eight years old, KJRC cares for those from heartbreaking backgrounds — whether through illness, family breakdown, or abandonment.

The children attend nearby Chiang Mai Adventist Academy and continue to be supported through vocational training, college, and university education. “We sponsor them right through until they join the workforce,” Thomson said. “Other orphanages stop at the age of 18, which is when many children are most vulnerable. We choose to sponsor them until they gain employment and can be self-sufficient.”

Currently nine former KJRC children are attending university — seven of them are enrolled at Asia-Pacific International University (APIU), an Adventist tertiary institution. “I love our children going to APIU because if they go there, it is so much easier for their Christian growth,” Thomson explained. “If they leave here and go out into the big world, there’s not much Christianity out there. This is a Buddhist country. It’s very difficult to hold onto God — we pray hard for them.”

At KJRC, daily life fosters independence and responsibility. Children rise at 5 a.m., rotating through chores such as cooking, cleaning, and tending to gardens. “It is lovely to hear the singing, laughter, and chatter as they make chores fun,” Thomson said. They also lead out in daily worships.

“Seeing them achieve, knowing where they’ve come from — that’s what keeps us going. We are introducing them to Jesus and are helping to change lives.”

Despite ongoing financial challenges, the center remains operational through donations and sponsorships. It costs approximately $2400 Australian dollars (around US$1,520) annually per child to cover food, education, and living expenses. The AU$2400 is split into four affordable sponsorship opportunities, with each sponsor paying AU$600 (about US$380) per year or AU$50 (about US$32) per month.

For those seeking to make a difference, the center welcomes volunteers including school groups and church groups. “Anyone who comes here to help says they take away more than they bring,” Thomson said. “It’s rewarding for everyone involved.”

The original version of this story was posted on Adventist Record.