LEGACY INSTITUTE

Legacy Institute Gives Thanksgiving Treats to Local Chiang Mai Orphans

Last year (2006), Legacy Institute decided to do something different for Thanksgiving. Instead of having a big Thanksgiving dinner at the Legacy Institute Leadership Training Center, we decided to take the money we would have spent on the meal and use it to provide a special treat for

local orphans. It was so successful last year that we decided to do it again this year.

The orphanage that was chosen was a nearby boy’s orphanage with over 300 orphans. Legacy staff brought a large container of ice cream and cartons of cookies. After dinner that day, Legacy students passed out ice cream and cookies to all the orphans.

There was enough for many to come back two and three times. We even had some left over for the Legacy students!

This kind of program teaches our students the way of GIVE. Rather than feed themselves on turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes, they sacrificed and gave to others less fortunate.

The experience was even more emotional for our

Legacy students because they come from poor families and over half the students have lost parents to war and disease. One young co-ed burst into tears at seeing so many parentless children. Many of the children there had lost parents to drugs, disease, prison and some were even abandoned. They are provided food, clothing and an education by the Thai government.

We spoke with the staff there and discovered that many had volunteered their time to take care of the orphans. It was clear that they really cared and it was not just a job that they had to do. They do what they can to provide warmth and role models to the parentless children.

We have decided to make this an annual Legacy program every Thanksgiving. It is rewarding to

give to the unfortunate, especially when they are children who are at the mercy of unkind circumstances. It also makes us more thankful for our own families and the blessings God has given us.

For more Information on Legacy International Leadership Training Center please visit www.legacyleader.org

Legacy Institute Leadership Center Starts Sixth Year

By Leon Sexton

I thought it would be informative to show photos and provide you with a brief sketch of our students studying at Legacy International Leadership Training Center. This year we have 15 students studying at the center. They come from the mountains of Thailand and Burma. Some have not finished high school because their families are poor and cannot afford it. Some are fatherless because of disease and warfare. They come to Legacy for different reasons. Some are from the Churches of God in Burma. Some are from traditional Christian backgrounds. This year we have 2 Buddhists sent from Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s highland projects. They all are seeking an education to better their lives.

Legacy’s training program lasts for 3 years. Students are taught English, Computer, Bible-based Ethics and Morality, Music, Health and Hygiene, Organic gardening, Public Speaking, Leadership and Sports. This is all done in an atmosphere of high moral and ethical standards. We strive for excellence. Room, board, uniforms and medical attention are paid for by scholarships provided by donors to Legacy Institute.

Arun and Naley

Arun and Naley are second year married students. They are from the Black Lahu Tribe and have two small girls who attend the local elementary school nearby. Arun is formerly a lay pastor among his people and came to Legacy to study the Bible.

The Motto of Legacy School is

“Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today”

Arun and Nalay’s little girls.

Malulee & Malulah

Third Year student Amorrat

Amorrat is from the Karen tribal group. She came to Thailand as a refugee along with her mother and family. Her father has been dead for many years now. Amorrat came to Legacy to study English and Bible. She was baptized last year.

Legacy Institute is a Liberal Arts Leadership Training project located near the northern capital of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Our goal is to train young men and women in the path of life that brings happiness, success and lasting fulfillment. Some may receive a calling to serve God. Others will use their Legacy education to go on for more education or seek employment. Some may return to serve their own people as teachers and young village leaders. All are treated equally, regardless of tribe, nationality or religious convictions.

Volunteer Teacher Erika Pedersen teaching
English parts of speech.

Buut (left) and Arthit are Karen tribal students sent by
Queen Sirikit to study at Legacy

Buut and Arthit are second year students from the mountains of Northwestern Thailand near the Burma border. They are interested in learning the English language well. Arthit already is being used as an interpreter in both the Thai language as well as his native Karen language.

Arun prepares soil for planting organic vegetables in Legacy’s demonstration garden

Students learn to grow fruits and vegetables organically. Learning organic methods will help them in the future to produce food for their families and help them become self-sufficient.

Volunteer teacher Stacey Seelig shows students how to create graphic designs on the computer

The world is rapidly changing. Computers are now used everywhere. Students learn to type in English and are instructed in basic programs. Some do so well they can learn more complicated graphic design programs.

Narirat

Narirat (right) is a first year student from the Lahu tribe. Her home is in a mountainous region that borders Burma. Narirat has already graduated a Bible school run by missionaries but wants to learn more about the Bible as well as English and computer.

Until the 1970s the Lahu practiced a nomadic way of life and many grew opium as a cash crop. Thailand’s King Bhumibol settled them in his project areas and taught them how to grow vegetables and fruit trees as cash crops. The Lahu are still considered the greatest hunters of Southeast Asia.

Fon

First year student Fon is also a Lahu from the far north. She is eager to learn English and Bible at Legacy. She lost her father 3 years ago.

First year student Malat

Malat is a Kachin from the China border region of the Shan States in Burma. He speaks a Chinese dialect as well as his native Kachin and Burmese. Malat is excited to learn the Bible and computer.

Chai

Chai is a Lahu tribesman from the far north. This is his first year at Legacy and he wants to learn the English language and computer.

Naung Naung

Naung Naung is a Third year Kachin student and will be graduating this Spring. He is the brother of graduate Seng Aung. He is one of Legacy’s top students and has learned English well enough to tutor other students and interpret for Sabbath services.

Seng Hpa with her son Surachai and daughter
Seng Moon Aung (held)

Legacy graduate Seng Hpa will be returning this year to Legacy with her husband Seng Aung and family for further studies. Seng Hpa’s husband was principal of Legacy Branch School in Kachinland. He will return to receive further training in school administration.

First year student Andrew Na Chiangtung prepares lunch for
student body

Andrew is a Shan from Rangoon. His grandfather was the ruling “Saobwah” or hereditary ruling prince of Chiang Tung in northeastern Burma. Andrew came to Legacy to study English and Bible. He acts as kitchen supervisor; creates the weekly menu and oversees student kitchen crews.

Lal Beka

Lal Beka is a Second year student. He is Mizo Chin from the Chin Hills of Western Burma. He came to Legacy in Chiangmai after studying for one year at Legacy Branch School in Kachinland. He likes to study Bible and English and play football (soccer). Lal Beka waited patiently at the border over one year before he was accepted to Legacy.

Ja See Fu

Ja See Fu (above) is a second year Lahu student from the border. He is studying at Legacy School because he wants to be an evangelist among the animistic tribal peoples living in the southern border areas of China.

2nd year student Seng Mai and 1^st year Hkawn Din

Seng Mai (L) is the niece of Kachin Evangelist Lazum Brang. She also studied one year at Legacy Branch School in Kachinland. Her goal is to speak fluent English and learn the true teaching of the Bible.

Hkawn Din (R) is also from the Lake Indawgyi region of Kachinland. Her goal is to serve God in whatever way He chooses for her.

All Legacy students must learn to swim. This not only is a good sport for improving health but is also a great confidence builder.

Gloria Sexton (far right) teaches swimming and water safety

For further information or if you are interested in helping with a scholarship for one or more students studying at Legacy Institute in Chiang Mai, please contact Anita Showers at: Anita_Showers@LegacyInstitute.org or call 330-852-2709.

Legacy Institute, USA fully sponsors the Legacy Institute International Leadership Training Center located in Chiangmai, Thailand.

The primary mission of Legacy Institute ILTC is to teach young men and women the True Way of Life that leads to happiness and success in family life, the workplace, and society; and to become future leaders among their own peoples. The secondary mission is to teach skills that will help them successfully acquire employment or opportunities for higher education. Students are primarily selected from the hill tribe groups of northern Thailand, but there are also a limited number of students from other Asian countries that can be accepted. All costs of tuition, uniforms, room and board are provided by charitable scholarships. Students attend for three years.

Qualified volunteer teachers are recruited from Church of God families and serve for one year at their own expense. Courses at Legacy Institute ILTC include English, Computer, Bible, Music and Voice, Public Speaking, Health and Hygiene and Vocational Organic Agriculture. The Swords to Plowshares Foundation provides technical support for the ILTC vocational organic agriculture program.

For more Information on Legacy International Leadership Training Center please visit www.legacyleader.org

Following are the forms needed for teacher applicants. You can download the form by clicking on the links below and then clicking "Save" in the pop-up box.

Application 1

Application 2

Application 3

Release Form

Please send all completed forms to:

P.O. Box 7, Dundee, Ohio 44624

If there are any questions concerning the application, please direct them to:

anita_showers@legacyinstitute.org

Thank you