Daniel 1 Leadership Project, The
WELCOME TO THE DANIEL 1 LEADERSHIP PROJECT, WHERE STUDENTS:
- Don’t pay tuition
- Work for an education
- Graduate without debt
- Develop Christian character
- Value God, country and tribal heritage
- Learn what it takes to serve and succeed in Thailand
VISION: The vision of the Daniel 1 Leadership Project is to develop citizens of Christ-like character who are well-educated and hard-working with a love of country and tribal heritage. No student enrolled in the program is charged tuition, all students work in the community, debt is openly discouraged and no government or private loans are used. Students may attend the college or university of their choice in Chiang Mai. Since the jobs in Thailand do not pay what is needed, $1,800 or $150 a month for each student must be raised to subsidize the expenses of the program so that no student will have debt when they graduate and will have the education, funds and transportation to begin their new careers.
THE DANIEL 1 LEADERSHIP PROJECT: The program is based on Daniel chapter 1, which details the commitment of four Hebrew youth who chose to live God’s way in the middle of a pagan society. Not only were they physically stronger than their peers, but “to these four … God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.” “At the end of their time, when they were brought before the king …In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchangers that were in all his kingdom.”
All students that are a part of the program will participate in the Work Education Program. Students work 15 hours a week in the community while in the program. The first 10 hours help pay for their education, room and board and the last 5 hours are for their personal expenses.
Students work rather than pay and they graduate without debt.
Requirements also include:
- Maintain a life plan that covers educational goals, service activities, leadership training and spiritual development classes attended while in the academy.
- Meet with a leadership academy staff member once each month to discuss life plan and personal growth goals.
- Attend community Sunday evening worship service when possible.
- Turn in grades within one month after the completion of each semester or term.
- Work on English skills during the course of study.
- Provide at least 10 hours of charitable service each month under the supervision of Joy To The World Foundation Thailand.
- Attend leadership training and spiritual development classes by Joy To The World Foundation as programs are offered and as schedule allows.
- Attend a Christian church of your choice regularly.
- A Biblical worldview
- Godly relationships
- Work ethic development
- Character development
- Leadership development
Each student in the Program is given a computer to begin her studies and is assigned by the project to a work station in the community or to a cooperating business that will provide internships for the academy. After the first year, students may request a work assignment to an area related to their field of study and the project will try to place them in an internship.
During the summer term, students can work 40 hours a week for 10 weeks and will earn a scooter in the first summer and be paid for their work. After the first summer, part of the funds from the summer will be put into a saving account for when they graduate in addition to their wages, so they will have funds to start their new life.
There are five main goals of the Daniel 1 Leadership Project:
ACADEMIC GOAL: To provide students with the opportunity to develop their God-given knowledge & wisdom to their fullest potential so that they might become producers and influencers in Thailand. Daniel 1:17
VOCATIONAL GOAL: To promote a strong work ethic and to demonstrate a servant’s heart in the workplace whether as an employer or employee. Phil. 2:3-5
CULTURAL GOAL: To cultivate Christian leaders who will influence the culture at large because of their pursuit of excellence, determination to stand for truth, and willingness to live out their faith. Daniel 3:28-30, Matt 7:24
CHRISTIAN GOAL: To foster a deeper knowledge of Christ and a desire to be conformed to his image and the desire to live a life that reflects a Christian worldview. Phil 3:7-14, Rom 8:29, Proverbs 3:5-6
HERITAGE GOAL: To encourage an understanding of tribal and Thai heritage, the value and responsibility of living in Thailand, love of country and people group and the desire to make a difference in the world. Psalm 33:10-12
Amy Stroup
