Three Scots A Thai & An English-guy
PLUS
2,000++ Happy Children!
Gift of Happiness Foundation "Aid & Show Giving Project" to Thai Government schools and Migrant Learning Centres located within 50 kilometres from Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand.
Volunteers; Margo & Alpen McGregor, Stirling, Scotland - Abbie Thompson, Dumfriesshire, Scotland - Eddie Haworth Expat from Bolton Lancashire, England - Paid staff; Bobanuchit, GoHF Driver/Handyman, Thailand.
Main Sponsors: Monroe Consulting Group, Bangkok. Charter International School, Bangkok, Regents International School, Bangkok. Maitong Soap Company, Bangkok. Clown Eckie Corporation, Bangkok.
Volunteers; Margo & Alpen McGregor, Stirling, Scotland - Abbie Thompson, Dumfriesshire, Scotland - Eddie Haworth Expat from Bolton Lancashire, England - Paid staff; Bobanuchit, GoHF Driver/Handyman, Thailand.
Main Sponsors: Monroe Consulting Group, Bangkok. Charter International School, Bangkok, Regents International School, Bangkok. Maitong Soap Company, Bangkok. Clown Eckie Corporation, Bangkok.
NEW UNDERWEAR AND UNIFORMS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED
Report by Abbie Thompson, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
Trip to Mae Sot
27th November
Arrived at the Gift of Happiness foundation to find Eckie, Bob and Karn busy preparing for the trip away. Books, food, toys, uniforms, clothes and underwear were all being packed away in the truck for the children we were serving. The trailer was hitched onto the truck and vans full and we were ready for the days ahead!
28th November
We met up with Margo and Alpen, two volunteers who would be joining us for the days ahead, and left the foundation at around 9.30am to begin the 8 hour drive to Mae Sot. Eventually we got to the beginning of the hill pass and the jungle, the end of the journey was in sight. It was an amazing drive as we got to learn a lot about the country and culture. We arrived around 6pm and went straight for dinner and then bed to recuperate after a long day.
Trip to Mae Sot
27th November
Arrived at the Gift of Happiness foundation to find Eckie, Bob and Karn busy preparing for the trip away. Books, food, toys, uniforms, clothes and underwear were all being packed away in the truck for the children we were serving. The trailer was hitched onto the truck and vans full and we were ready for the days ahead!
28th November
We met up with Margo and Alpen, two volunteers who would be joining us for the days ahead, and left the foundation at around 9.30am to begin the 8 hour drive to Mae Sot. Eventually we got to the beginning of the hill pass and the jungle, the end of the journey was in sight. It was an amazing drive as we got to learn a lot about the country and culture. We arrived around 6pm and went straight for dinner and then bed to recuperate after a long day.
29th November
Woke up well rested and met Eckie, Margo and Alpen for a quick breakfast, then set off to the first school in the Pho Pla district, Mar Oak Hoo school. The kids were excited to see us and Margo and I set up a big table of clothes and toys while Alpen, Bob and Eckie set up for the show. The kids were eager to see what was going to happen. The teachers sat them all down and the show began. Seeing Clown Eckie perform lit up everyone’s faces, the kids couldn’t stop themselves from creeping closer and closer to the stage, a recurring theme over the next couple of days. He brought some kids up to the audience to participate and the smiles on the children’s face were contagious. It felt so rewarding seeing the smiley happy kids! After some big balloons were inflated and some water sprayed at an unsuspecting audience, we packed up and moved onto the next school.
Ya Por school was our next stop, a large school with hundreds of young children. We once again set up, this time in a large hall. Another show had begun and the kids were loving it! A balloon went into the audience and they chased it around the hall, even the teachers got involved in hitting it around, and it looked as if it were going to fly away but it returned eventually along with the students attention. By the time Clown Eckie was finished his show the kids had come right up to the stage surrounding him on all sides. They just couldn’t get close enough! We once again packed up, took loads of photos with the kids and teachers, and made our way back to Mae Sot.
Woke up well rested and met Eckie, Margo and Alpen for a quick breakfast, then set off to the first school in the Pho Pla district, Mar Oak Hoo school. The kids were excited to see us and Margo and I set up a big table of clothes and toys while Alpen, Bob and Eckie set up for the show. The kids were eager to see what was going to happen. The teachers sat them all down and the show began. Seeing Clown Eckie perform lit up everyone’s faces, the kids couldn’t stop themselves from creeping closer and closer to the stage, a recurring theme over the next couple of days. He brought some kids up to the audience to participate and the smiles on the children’s face were contagious. It felt so rewarding seeing the smiley happy kids! After some big balloons were inflated and some water sprayed at an unsuspecting audience, we packed up and moved onto the next school.
Ya Por school was our next stop, a large school with hundreds of young children. We once again set up, this time in a large hall. Another show had begun and the kids were loving it! A balloon went into the audience and they chased it around the hall, even the teachers got involved in hitting it around, and it looked as if it were going to fly away but it returned eventually along with the students attention. By the time Clown Eckie was finished his show the kids had come right up to the stage surrounding him on all sides. They just couldn’t get close enough! We once again packed up, took loads of photos with the kids and teachers, and made our way back to Mae Sot.
30th November
Woke up a bit earlier on this day as we had a long busy day and were hoping to get some oxygen tanks to the clinic before it closed at 4pm. Set off to Hope school, a beautiful school filled with lovely kids. A big team effort was had to move all the equipment and resources down to the school grounds. Margo and I handed out uniforms and underwear to the kids, while Eckie and Bob set up the show, and Alpen took photos (he had been appointed the photographer of the group the day prior and was very much stepping into this role). The kids were ecstatic to receive some well fitting uniforms and underwear they couldn’t wait to get them on over their ragged, worn out clothes. They all thanked us and were very polite and smiley. We set out food and books and toys and clothes on some tables inside the building and the show began yet again. The kids were amazed when Clown Eckies wallet went on fire, they laughed when he was shocked by his own reflection, and they got made lots of noise at the end of the show with some musical instruments. Once again we left some very happy kids, and moved onto the final school of the trip.
Woke up a bit earlier on this day as we had a long busy day and were hoping to get some oxygen tanks to the clinic before it closed at 4pm. Set off to Hope school, a beautiful school filled with lovely kids. A big team effort was had to move all the equipment and resources down to the school grounds. Margo and I handed out uniforms and underwear to the kids, while Eckie and Bob set up the show, and Alpen took photos (he had been appointed the photographer of the group the day prior and was very much stepping into this role). The kids were ecstatic to receive some well fitting uniforms and underwear they couldn’t wait to get them on over their ragged, worn out clothes. They all thanked us and were very polite and smiley. We set out food and books and toys and clothes on some tables inside the building and the show began yet again. The kids were amazed when Clown Eckies wallet went on fire, they laughed when he was shocked by his own reflection, and they got made lots of noise at the end of the show with some musical instruments. Once again we left some very happy kids, and moved onto the final school of the trip.
Para Hi Ta Htoo school was very small and seemed to be lacking resources, but the kids were happy with what they had nevertheless, and even happier due to the arrival of some entertainment, books, toys and food. Margo and I were once again on uniform and underwear duty, the kids were very thankful when we handed them out and couldn’t contain their excitement or wait to get their new clothes on! Then for the final time, the show began. Some beautiful smiley faces were brought up, laughs were shared and more music was enjoyed by the children. We were waved off by many happy faces and our trip was almost at an end. The only thing left to do now was head to Mae Sot clinic to drop off some oxygen tanks. These were graciously received and we arranged to go back on Boxing Day to perform for the children who were staying in the hospital and nearby.
Finally our trip was at an end, and feeling like we helped a great deal of children and adults, and brought smiles to thousands of faces over our time in Mae Sot, we went out for a celebratory dinner, each one of us so thankful to be able to have made a difference!
Report by Abbie Thompson, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
Report by Abbie Thompson, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
"DIGNITY FOR CHILDREN IN NEED"
(Buy new sets of underwear for children in need - ONLY ฿100-THB ($3.00-USD) per set)
Individuals, Small Businesses, Social Groups and Corporates can all support this project;
(Buy new sets of underwear for children in need - ONLY ฿100-THB ($3.00-USD) per set)
Individuals, Small Businesses, Social Groups and Corporates can all support this project;
