Called to Make a Difference

Myrna Magno-Akaraskul, San Lorenzo Ruiz Awardee 2010

God calls each of His children to carry out His purpose every day. To possess a humble heart that chooses to respond to His calls willingly and unconditionally is indeed a precious gift. And such is the heart of a woman named Myrna Magno-Akaraskul.

Myrna was born on October 1, 1951 in Caloocan City, Manila, Philippines. She graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from the College of the Holy Spirit, Mendiola, Manila in 1973. After graduation, she was hired as a chemist at the Research Development Center of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Then, she got married to a Thai national and moved to Thailand in 1976.

Her new life in Thailand led her to a series of services. In 1988 to 1996, she assisted Bishop Duhart, a Redemptorist, and now a retired bishop, at the Holy Redeemer Church in Ruamrudee, Bangkok. In 1996 to 2004, she became active in the Two Hearts Enthronement project, visiting different places in Thailand for the daily house-to-house prayer as well as encouraging people to join.

These made Myrna realize that she was indeed called for service, and was being prepared by God for a special mission. So in March of 2004, she submitted herself in the pursuit of her calling by visiting the Vicar General of the Diocese of Ratchburi. She was then advised to go to Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Huay Klum, Suanpueng where she met out-of-school children who were eager to learn but lacked financial resources.

The children belong to the Karen tribe, and are called “Karens” (Karueang). They live within the borders of Burma and Thailand after escaping the military regime in Burma. They found their way to Thailand, hoping for new hope and new beginning. Priests working in and around the area gathered the Karens to build a village to be identified as members of the Suanpueng community. This provided the Karens not only a sense of identity, but also a sense of belongingness and security.

Unfortunately, the legalization of their stay in Thailand is a very slow process. Their mobility is restricted and specified, resulting to their very limited source of income. Most Karens have menial jobs and are underpaid. The money they earn is just enough for food, and therefore have no means to afford proper education for their kids.

After learning about the Karens’ history and present conditions, Myrna believed she needed to help these poor people by sending Karen kids to school. In September of 2004, she traveled to Chonbueng, Ratchaburi to find a place she could rent for some Karen kids to live in. While roaming around the area, one of the catechists told her that life was not easy there due to lack of water supply. But that did not stop her. She went on until she finally found a perfect place near the school, market and the church. She called the place Ban Prabida, which means “a religious contemplative community dedicated to God the Father, father of all mankind”.

Myrna had Ban Prabida blessed on September 8, 2004. She was eager and motivated to help and send the Karens to school. She came up with the following objectives:

• To give glory to God by loving thy neighbor
• To provide an opportunity to the orphans and impoverished for a better future through quality life and education, which would eventually diminish poverty and ignorance
• To share values, skills and proper behavior acceptable to the society to create peaceful and harmonious life and dignified future
• To create a chain of love by creating awareness and responding to each other’s needs, especially for the poor, the hungry and the lonely
• To provide a living family to both young and old
• To provide solace to the abandoned and needy
• To invigorate the helpless, especially the aged, and give hope and security
• To feed the hungry and clothe the unclothed

Myrna’s act of goodwill started with two kids. Two girls approached her and asked for shelter, and she took them in. 65 kids later, she was blessed with help and support from charity groups and individuals and was able to send these kids to school. The AIC (Association of International Charities) sponsored nine children by paying their tuition fees and providing lunch money. Mr. Chris Hui, the owner of Taipen Hotel, also sponsored food for five kids for one whole year. Although these aides ended unexpectedly due to economic crises, Myrna did not stop helping the kids. With God’s love and guidance, she carried on and became their second mother. Currently, 30 of the 65 kids are staying with her in Ban Prabida.

Myrna Magno-Akaraskul truly believes that this is God’s mission for her. Her faith grows stronger every day, in spite of trials and obstacles. She is not rich, but she chooses to help and love unconditionally. Myrna has created something valuable, worth remembering and sharing, and continues to share her life for the glory of God.