2 or 12 Children?

If you ask the Post-10 students at Mae Ra Moe if they want to have children in their future, “yes” will be the common reply. If you ask how many children they would like to have – imagine 2 or 12 – the overwhelming answer would be “12 children”. The students explain that if you have many children, not all of them will die. Some will, and as in many economically poor farming communities in the world, children not only a help in the field, but are their parents’ only ‘social security’ during old age. It is no surprise that a common thanksgiving service is held when a child reaches its first birthday. Family and friends gather at the house. The pastor comes and leads a worship service. The parents give their blessing to all. At the end, a big meal is celebrated for all. A “First Birthday Service” is an expensive affair, but all is given in gratitude for what is most important: one’s child still lives.