We shall learn from one another what has been taking place in various corners of the earth where our Brothers are working. It is time that we make sincere efforts to help Jesus establish the just and peaceful kingdom where all will live as brothers and sisters-as children of God.

THE PROVINCE OF THAILAND

The option for the poor or in our Montfortian terminology "Open to Jesus Christ" has been active in the province since its conception. Right in the beginning the Brothers were asked to take in one orphan for every hundred paid students. Therefore, a school of two thousand in strength should look after twenty orphans for free.
In addition, at different times the province took up some projects for the poor. Bro. Vincent Mary together with his Legionaries of Mary started working with the poor children of Din Daeng on Sundays. In 1966 Bro. Arom Phulphokphol volunteered to teach full time at this center. Stationing at the Provincialate, he would leave daily to the place. After having collected the children in a room-offered by Fr. Bonninque, a Jesuit priest, he would teach them how to read and write and the elementary principles of hygiene. He was helped by a lady teacher. However, after some time he was asked to take care of adult students of 15 years old and above only. Mornings were devoted to learning; afternoons for handicrafts like making paper bags, plastic covers for books, typing, and sewing that could bring in money.
After two years of apostolate among the poor of Din Daeng (commonly called Deva Center), the province decided to move the center to Assumption College Thonburi (ACT) where there was still much unused land. Originally two blocks-one for boys and another for girls, would be put up. But the Province was advised to open the boys' section first. The building would take in some 20-30 boys of Prathom 7 upward (Grade 7). The studies would last two years.
Thus was the birth of Assumption Vocational School (AVS) which was officially opened on 20th May 1968. It counted 23 boys, two lay teachers and Bro. Arom Pulpokpol as the manager. A month later Bro. Sommoh was added to the teaching team. The centre concentrated on course in electronics (radio and television). Discussion was up in the air to have the school accredited by the Ministry of Education. That would mean a three-year course instead of the existing two years. Meanwhile Bro. Arom left the Congregation to enter a secular priesthood. Bro. Summoh took over the responsibility. He was assisted by Bro. Chuchart in 1971. When Bro. Sommoh left to France for higher studies, Bro. Cuchart took the helm till 1975. It was then closed temporarily, but in reality it was for ever.

The Assumption Technical School Ranong (ATSR)
Bro. Francois was appointed to take charge of this school in 1972. The manager of the Ranong Province of the Siamese Tin Company, an alumnus of AC, invited the Brothers to open a technical school to train qualified mechanics for his workshop in the area. As a good-will gesture he offered us unused machinery at a bargain price and some old buildings since the company was moving to a new site.
The new site was on a 40 rai's of land. Fr. Rocco, a Stigmatine priest, was our good faithful friend. In 1973 Bro. Achin came to help the center. The only problem was that we could not get students to fill our classrooms. It was so acute that the Provincial Council of November 1974 was in the favour of closing it down. Two years later the same Council decided to move the centre to Khonkaen. Reasons given were: a) students of Ranong took little interest, b) it was too expensive to run, c) there were no volunteers to form a stable community life. Moving the school to Khonkaen was more in line with our charism. There we would be serving one the most neglected strata of society, i.e., the lepers. It was definitively closed in 1979.

With the Khon Kaen Lepers
Having been treated and pronounced 'clean' by the doctors from leprosy the plight of these pople still lives on. Rejected and humiliated by society and without any resources, the process of rehibilitation is hard to come by. Moved by such a pitiful situation, three French Brothers (Emmanuel Gris, René Boursin-1968, and Urbain-1970) came to their rescue. They were later joined by Bro. Suradej Visuthivan (Thai), Bro. John Mary (Spaniard), and Bro. François Braguier (French). They set out to help these miserable poor by digging artesian wells, setting up dam, purchasing buffaloes, and pieces of arable land for some one hundred families living in the six surrounding villages.
For their children the Brothers set up "Viriyanuchonsatan" Boys' Home. They were given free food, lodging, clothing, and education. To help them support themselves they were given training in mechanics and electronics when the students had finished their primary education. Consequently "Emmanuel Workshop" in hounour of Bro. Emmanuel, who accidentally died in 1976 while repairing a well, was built by Bro. Fraçois in 1978.
With the arrival of Bro. Philip Neri in 1980, the efforts to help the poor of the place took a step forward. He got help from the CCF to ameliorate the condition of the children (for example, the free lunch program). He also bought big jars for the villagers to collect rain water, organized buffalo and rice banks, and got some 40 houses built for the poor.
Besides, there were many other things introduced into the villages: the amelioration of sanitation, integrated and cooperative farming, and finally the Credit Union.
When the province saw there was no longer any real need to take care of the rehabilitative lepers and there children in that area it directed its attention to Nakornpanom province in 1998.

The Assumption Technical School, Nakornpanom (ATSN)
The Assumption Technical School (ATS), replacing the old name of Assumption Vocational Center (AVC), came to existence in 1998. Bro. Vicharn Songsiengchai, the pioneer of this project, transported both materials and persons (teachers and students) of Khon Kaen community to Nakornpanom in 1997. By November two groups of boys about twenty each started their training in auto mechanic, welding, and machine. After some time Bro. Vicharn was advised by well-wishers to upgrade it to Technical School officially approved by the education ministry. The official recognition came in 2001. The school aims at training technicians for factories: machine, welding and sheet metal, and auto mechanics. At present it is administered by Mr. Tepouichai Sraikit and his wife who have been at the center since 2000. An alumnus of ACS, Mr. Tepouichai plays an indispensable role in getting the school recognized, and is subsequently its first director. However, the supervisor is under the care of Bro. Suradej Visuthivan.
Forty percent of the boys are from the hill tribes while twenty percent is allotted to the Laotians. (The center could in the years to come be a springboard to mission in Laos). The maximum number of students is limited to one hundred and twenty. The school can therefore admit only 40 boys per year. All of them must finish secondary education (Grade 9). The course lasts for three years.
At present there are two groups under training: 28 in the first year, 22 in the second year, and 7 in one-year auto mechanics course. These 57 young students are from 10 provinces of Thailand and 6 of them are from Laos.
The expenses per boy annually is around 100, 000 baht (ca. 2225 $US). The director wants to trim it down by half in the near future. The boys will be trained to help themselves by putting the land into good use and their skills into productivity. Eighty percent of the produce of the land (vegetables, fish, and poultry) and the earning from the workshop will be given back to them, while the school retains the rest as security fund.

The Orphanages
Taking care of the orphans has been the constant concern of the province. The Assumption College Sriracha (ACS) was initially meant for the orphans of AC (The Assumption College, Bangkok). In 1989 Bro. Philip Amnuay Pinratana started an orphanage in Nonthaburi. Later it was moved to Khao Cha-ang and the management was under the guidance of Bro. Prasit Chaiyaphuak. After a few years it was closed down. Thereafter, the help given to poor students in all our institutions, mainly from the hill tribes and the rural areas, would be in the form of scholarships.

Social Development Projects
In 1967 Bro. Vicharn Songsiengchai formed a group of volunteers (students and teachers) for social service at AC. Initially the group visited the slums, the deaf, the blind, and the handicapped of the neighbourhood. Later the group raised fund for the construction of school-buildings, multipurpose halls, canteens, libraries, toilets, roads, and basketball courts or soccer fields, and artisian wells in the rural areas. In addition, basic necessities were distributed to villagers.
Now "Social Development Projects" of such type are being arranged in all our schools.
Some activities organized to inculcate a sense of sharing in the students are:
1. Food and drinks, games, sports and entertainments for the poor children in the nearby or faraway places on Children's Day, Christmas' Eve, and New Year's Day.
2. Teaching computer, English, and typing to the less privileged children.
3. Free lunch program.
4. Blood donation.
5. Fund raising during Lent.
6. Seeking the help and working in cooperation with Social Welfare Centers.

"Covenant of Love" Center (CLC)
The centenary landmark project initiated by the Montfort College, Chiangmai, on behalf of St. Gabriel's Foundation, in collaboration with Chiangmai Diocese and the Betharam Fathers, will see its completion by the end of the year 2002. This multipurpose complex serves as lodging and learning center for the northern hill-tribe students who go down to the plain for their regular studies, exposure center for the hill-tribe culture and heritage, and the handicraft center for the hill-tribe girls.

Monfortian Associates
Its conception took place in December 1997. The purpose was to gather together all those had been enchanted by Montfortain spirituality. They could be students, teachers, parents, alumni, alumnae, ex-Brothers, and candidates that had gone through any stage of formation. They were united to serve the poor, the marginalized, and the Church, and last of all to support the members of the Montfortian family.
The "Montfortian Associates" for the ex-Brothers and for one-time candidates was set up in July 2000, with the name: "Monftfortian Associates Third Group". The objectives of the group were spelled out as follows:

1. To know Montfort and his vision better.
2. To promote the spiritual life of members.
3. To concertedly serve the society, the poor, the marginalized, and the Church.
4. To practice fraternal sharing.
5. To promote harmonious relationship among the members and the Brothers.
6. To promote vocation and support the members of Montfortian family.

Membership is extended to family members, and friends.

Structure:

1. "The Montfortian Associates Third Group" is one among the many of Montfortian Associates.

2. The members compose of
a) advisors who are:
Bro. Provincial Superior
Councillors
Superiors/ Directors of Schools or Formation Houses
An animator (Brother)
Some senior Brothers

b) The executive members are the chairman, the vice chairman, the secretary, the assistant secretary, the bursar, and other necessary positions. They are all elected by the members and have a two-year mandate.
c) the ordinary members.

3. Goals/ Strategies
Biannual meetings (January, July) and others as indicated in no. 4.
Quarterly meetings for the executive members.
Publication of "Nok Noi" as means of communication among members and the Brothers.
Common activities:
a) prayers, Mass, the study of the life and charism of Montfort
b) common projects for the poor and the marginalized
c) to carry out the work entrusted by the Brothers within its capacity and competence.

4. Fund. The Association has its own fund contributed by the members.

5. "The Montfortian Associates Third Group" as well as all the "Montfortian Associates" is under the supervision of St. Gabriel Foundation, Thailand.

The Montfortian Associates for Students
The Province has been organizing many Montfortian pilgrimages for our teachers, and collaborators. After some time an idea transpired of setting up an association of like-minded people. It took shape in 1998. The objectives were to follow in the steps of Montfort by praying together, visiting the sick, the poor, the marginalized, and to pass on Montfortian spirituality. In consultation with Bro. Sirichai Fonseka, the then Provincial Superior, a staunch supporter of this initiative, and with Bro. Thinaratana Komkris (the Campus director), the representatives of the campus ministry of various institutes came to the conclusion that instilling in the students the Gospel values as lived out by Montfort would take them out from the snares of present day consumerism, materialism, and amoralism.
Thus took place the first "Montfortian Camp" for the students in July 1999 at Assumption Paradise.

Objectives: 1) to acquaint them with Montfort's life, 2) to build up "Montfortian Associates" among the students, c) to partake of Montfortian charism.

Selection: Each school was asked to send five pupils from the primary level and ten form the secondary. Teachers as guardians and/or speakers were to be included.
In all there were 160 boys and 33 girls, 21 men teachers, and 24 women teachers. The activities of each day comprised Mass, group prayers, inputs on Montfort's life and his charism, sports, entertainments, group dynamics, social interaction, exposure (visiting the handicapped or the sick or the aged). On the eve of the closure there was "Family Night" program. The camp lasted five days and the total expenses amounted to 180, 000 baht ($US 4000.00).
The 2nd "Montfortian Camp" (18-21 December 2000) counted 171 students (130 boys and 41 girls) and 52 teachers (26 men and 26 women). The total expenses were 181, 660 baht ($US 4036).
After these two camps there was a general evaluation. The results were thus stated:

1. Montfortian Associates for students have been set up in schools. This helps leadership training.
2. Self-confidence and decision making is evident in students joining the associates.
3. Students have learned to share with the less fortunate and set good examples.
4. They take active participation in religious activities.
5. They know more the life of Montfort.
6. There are noticeable changes in the behaviour of some students.
7. The participating teachers have learned to sacrifice their time and share their talents with the students. In spite of fatigue and difficulty, they were all happy to be able to form the future youth of the country.

More Montfortian Camps for students are being prepared for the coming years.