Fearful to Flourishing
July 2024
At just four years old, Akaya’s life was uprooted by war.
The war in Myanmar has shattered so many families, forced millions to flee, and left countless children at risk of trafficking and exploitation. Like so many others, Akaya’s family fled Myanmar after the military coup, escaping violence and instability, and arrived in Thailand with nothing but a desperate hope for safety.
But survival came at a cost: both parents needed to work immediately in order to put food on the table, leaving 4-year-old Akaya alone at home all day.
With no community connections and no childcare, she spent her days isolated, glued to a phone screen, making her an easy target for abuse, trafficking, and exploitation by unsafe neighbors.
But thankfully, GCA exists to protect kids, like Akaya.
As a trusted presence in the community, our local teams quickly connected Akaya’s family to GCA’s Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP). Akaya immediately began attending GCA’s preschool, which served as a safe, nurturing space where she could thrive.
At first, Akaya was withdrawn and fearful. But with the patience, care, and trauma-informed support of GCA’s teachers, she began to trust again. Slowly, she blossomed - learning to play, share, and thrive.
Today, Akaya is full of life. She loves learning, leads her classmates with confidence, and is preparing to enter Thai school. Her parents, equipped through GCA’s parenting workshops, now have the tools to support her success.
Most importantly, Akaya was never trafficked or exploited.
This is GCA’s greatest success—preventing harm before it happens.
By God’s grace and through your generosity, GCA is standing in the gap for children like Akaya, ensuring vulnerable families stay together, stay safe, and build a future filled with hope. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus, walking alongside these families in their time of greatest need.