Luck (left) and a friend enjoy their time at Step Ahead.

Classes in English, computer skills and hospitality will help equip tsunami survivors for the future.

A young Thai woman named Luck came to the training center after the hotel she worked at was destroyed by the tsunamis. She lost her best friend and much more in the catastrophe, but at Step Ahead, Luck has discovered friendship and healing while taking part in English classes. Now, she shares her story of its impact.

"When I’d been working for some time, there was the tsunami. My hotel had to close down, but this was not as traumatic as actually losing your loved ones and many of your precious things.

In the midst of all the bad things, there came some good in it. One day, I heard that the Step Ahead Training Center was offering language teaching free of charge. Personally, I was delighted and very touched that there are actually people out there that care for victims of the Tsunami like us.

We are not left alone after all. We’ve been given good chances that you don’t normally get. I’m sure that other students at the center have felt the same way as I did. Being at the Step Ahead from the beginning until now, we – the students – have improved in our understanding, our speaking and writing abilities tremendously.

I know of some people who did not have the courage to face with foreigners before but they have turned to be so bold to talk to foreigners! Most of my friends are also attending classes at the Step Ahead.

The Step Ahead is not only the place of learning, it’s also a place where you find the warmth of friendships and smiles. I always feel the wonderful feelings being exchanged whenever I walk into the door.

I cannot imagine what other means there would have been to heal our hearts and to give us strength to go on if it had not been the Step Ahead being there for us.

I have grown fond and feeling bonded with this place and the people here. The crisis that happened has led me to such wonderful opportunity in my life, including the beautiful friendships I have at the Step Ahead training center.

Thank you so much, Operation Blessing, for giving us the best opportunity we could ever have."

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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