After all of the challenges brought on by the pandemic, Angels’ Place is filled once again with learning and activities and the sound of children’s laughter!

Vocational Training Expands

Last year we launched a program called “Building Digital Natives.” Its name is curious, we know, but it describes an effort to make all interested children “native speakers” of computer language. This initiative is, by far, the most popular of all vocational offerings! Early in 2022, the vocational coordinator of Angels’ Place, Ms. Sangi, formed a group of students to participate in the pilot program. Resources limited the number of students, so Ms. Sangi used a lottery system in order to select the first 40 students. Mr. Siam and Mr. Lian lead the classes, which began with ten contact hours. The goal is to provide computer training to support life and work skills that can help the children after they leave Angels’ Place.

Thanks to the success of the pilot program and the award of two significant grants, we have since purchased 15 additional computers and invested in space modifications to best accommodate the Building Digital Natives program and the increasing number of children who want to learn computer skills. We expect to offer the program throughout the coming years in addition to our other vocational programs.

The second most successful vocational offering is the Tailoring Class. Many girls have taken to designing and constructing clothing for themselves and others. Their teacher is impressed with the skills and talent of several girls! She is confident that there are jobs for them in Churachandpur dress shops when they are finished with school.

doTerra visits Angels’ Place

In early June, representatives of the doTerra company visited Angels’ Place to observe the lemongrass production in the fields and to explore other ways to expand our partnership. doTerra is an American essential oils company that does business throughout the world. It has a unique mission of partnering with the communities where they buy essential oils. They are the major buyer of all the lemongrass oil that the James Connection produces.

Under discussion is the new possibility of growing ginger for doTerra’s use. doTerra also wants to improve the medical services in the town of Churachandpur by donating much-needed diagnositc equipment such as MRI’s and training technicians to operate it. During their visit, the Angels’ Place children performed traditional songs and dances to entertain their guests. Our partnership with doTerra continues to be a valuable opportunity for generating earned revenue to support the orphanage and an increasingly valuable opportunity for the surrounding community.

Students Move Up and Move On

Congratulations are due at Angels’ Place! Nine students who passed the state exam following grade 10 have matriculated into Level 11 of the local Rayburn College High School. Another ten students have completed Level 12 at Rayburn and are now departing Angels’ Place. We are proud of their outstanding achievement. Because of the mission of Angels’ Place and your support, these children can look forward to a much more promising future.

The generosity of James Connection supporters has made possible all of these activities: the Building Digital Natives program, the vocational training in sewing, the cultivation of lemongrass, and the continuing education of the children. We thank you for your support!

To learn more about other ways you can support the James Connection and the work we do, visit our Ways to Help page.