Q and A’s
Who is IFA? IFA stands for International Festival of the Arts. It is the parent organization for the Isaiah 61 Project. Dr. Colin Harbinson is the founder, director, and creator of International Arts Festivals worldwide. To know more about this organization, visit the website www.ifa-na.ca.
What is the Isaiah 61 Project? This refers to the Ministry founded by Carolyn and Albert Hudson in 2004 in Northern Thailand. It is a ministry will charitable status under the International Festival of the Arts. Please refer to the History section of this web-site for more details. In Thailand, this ministry, known as “The Mighty Oak Tree Foundation” was formed in 2010 under the leadership of Sumit Wapapo, Pam Wapapo, Gan Griffith, and David Griffith.
What is the education sponsorship program all about? Each year Ab and Carolyn Hudson return from Northern Thailand with 10-20 names and profiles of children who are in need of sponsorship in order for them to continue in school. Education has been researched as the #1 way to help change the cycle of poverty in Northern Thailand and is the main goal of the Isaiah 61 Project. Please visit “History” or “Archives” to find out more. Sponsors are found mostly in Canada who have committed to paying $25. monthly toward the educational needs of a child for as long as he/she continues in school. In return, each sponsor will receive yearly; two personal letters in Thai/English, two report cards, a video of their child and family when they are visited and interviewed, and up-dated pictures of the child, family, and community. Sponsors are encouraged to pray for their child and family and may communicate or send small packets to the child yearly or as desired. Communication can be arranged by sending a letter/card with the team when they visit annually, or by sending an email to Carolyn and Ab which will be forwarded, translated and delivered by Gan and David Griffith in Thailand.
What does my monthly fee pay for? The monthly fee pays for your child’s school tuition or a portion of it at the higher grades, school uniforms, shoes, books and supplies and transportation costs. Additional funds must be obtained through fund raising for emergency health care needs, medicine or food allowance, special guardianship arrangements, and tutoring classes.
Do you provide any other opportunities for the children? Yes, we feel it is very important to connect them to a Christian church and community to give them an opportunity to know and understand the answers to the following questions. Who is God? Who is Jesus Christ? Who am I in relationship to God? Transportation is provided for the children to attend church weekly, participate in youth camps, children’s camps, and other special events. We also provide a large Christmas party and Mother’s Day celebration yearly. Every child receives a $10 gift from their sponsor at Christmas time. To receive up-dated information on all these events and opportunities please go to “Front line” or “Picture Galleries”.
How is money raised for the projects? Along with the sponsorship program, people may contribute to the ministry through personal or corporate donations made to IFA and sent to the Isaiah 61 Project office. We also have three main fund-raisers yearly. We have native Thai articles which we bring back from Thailand and sell. All proceeds go directly into the project. We have a yearly community Garage Sale and a Gospel Celebration Evening. We are always open to more fundraisers. If you have an idea for one and would like to contribute to the ministry by leading one, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Ab and Carolyn at 519-7544203 or by email – albert_hudson@hotmail.com. We would love to receive your ideas and leadership.
What are the development projects and why do you promote them? Our ministry started by providing for the educational needs of high risk children but quickly realized that we must try to minister to the whole family. The development projects have evolved because of need to help some families have better nutrition, health care, and have their emergency medical needs covered. When asked how we could be helpful, they suggested agricultural projects such as the provision of vegetable gardens, the raising of fish and frogs, pigs, and cows. A special building project was provided for one family who desperately needed a safe home. Again, micro development has happened as parents and grandparents have come to us as asked us to help them get started with an alternate means of earning money because of illness or lack of citizenship, or death/divorce of a spouse. We see a need for an expansion of this program with a possible funding of a re-training program for some parents. By doing these projects, our families receive hope and a better future.
Do you take Mission teams to Thailand? Yes, yearly, for 2-3 weeks in January. Our work there depends on the talents and expertise of the people travelling but always includes visits to Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, but the majority of the time is in Fang- Northern Thailand. You will learn about Thai Culture, enjoy Thai Cuisine, and spend much time with the children and families we serve in Northern Thailand. It is a Christian Mission Trip and a life changing experience for all who attend. Much more information can be obtained by reading the Home Front sention where the Chronicles outline many of the yearly activities of the various teams. Carolyn and Ab Hudson lead these teams and remain in Thailand for two months each year. More information can be received by calling Carolyn and Ab Hudson at 519-7544203 or emailing us at albert_hudson@hotmail.com .
I may want to give a donation. How do I get more information about this ministry? We are always so grateful to receive donations as our needs in Thailand are growing yearly. If you wish more information than what is provided on this web-site, please contact the IFA office and speak to Carolyn and Albert Hudson. All cheques must be made out to IFA ( International Festival of the Arts) and Charitable receipts are acknowledged at the end of each tax year. Corporate donations are also gratefully received. Any person or corporation may receive a free 5 minute video of our ministry and a packet of literature outlining our work by making a request by phone, email or by writing the IFA office at International Festival of the Arts, 321 Governor’s Rd., R.R.#21, Paris, Ontario. N3L3E1