thailand - house of refuge

ZOE Network is partnering with Francoise & Yves Michaud to build a refuge house with a local Thai church for Karen women and their children.  Among the Karen in this area, child marriage is prevalent. Generally, children are married between 14 and 16. Alcoholism and drug use are common among the male population, leading to violence against their families. Women who are new converts are the most vulnerable as they are often rejected by their paternal families because of their faith and for fear of reprisals from angry husbands and their entourage. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, these factors contributed to a severe domestic abuse problem in this community, but the pandemic has exacerbated these issues.  The goal is to create a shelter with 4 rooms, with 2 beds in each.  Five to ten  women with their children will receive temporary shelter each year.