Daniel spent nine years at House of Hope. He now volunteers there to help other children who were forced to flee from their homes.

MAE HONG SON, Thailand – A game of hide-and-seek is appropriate for a 10-year-old child. But hiding for days in the jungle to save your own life isn’t the kind of game children should be playing.

For Daniel and his family, hiding in the deep jungles of Thailand meant staying alive.

Daniel’s mother and father would seek refuge from Burma Army soldiers, who would repeatedly attack their village as well as forcibly remove young boys from their families and require their participation for training and combat situations.

Desiring a better life for their son, Daniel’s parents helped him escape. Leaving with only what he could carry, the 10-year-old said goodbye to his parents.

For two months, he and a group of 15 other boys spent their days running from the Burma Army and traveling under the cover of night.

Eventually, Daniel, and the other children arrived at a temple in Thailand, where they found help. The group was eventually taken to House of Hope, a children's home supported by Operation Blessing.

The home provides a safe haven where children can find security and hope for a better future. In addition, the children are given an education and taught valuable life skills.

Recently, OBI helped upgrade the building by installing new water storage tanks, which are used for bathing and cleaning purposes. Other monthly assistance enables the school to buy rice and cooking oil for the 45 children who call House of Hope their permanent home.

"If I didn't come here, I don't know where I would be or if I would even be alive," Daniel said. "Thanks for taking me in."

Daniel spent nine years at the House and now attends adult study classes at a local school. During the week, he returns to House of Hope and helps the staff with school and other chores.

The House of Hope is a children's home supported by OBI. The home has 45 children who live there.

Daniel said he hopes to one day become a teacher and return to his village to help educate the people who still live there. Ultimately, he would like to be reunited with his family.

Another boy who arrived in a similar fashion to Daniel is Andrew. After living at the home for eight years, the 16-year-old says he can look back and see how the House changed his life.

"This place helped me become a better person," he said. "I am one of the few blessed people that have had the chance to be here so I hope I can one day return the blessing to my own people."

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Operation Blessing is helping to transform the futures of children like these by providing clean water, education assistance, nutritional feeding programs, medical care and more. Please make an online contribution toward OBI's Orphan's Promise today and help us continue to reach those in need.