GIFT OF HAPPINESS FOUNDATION UNIFORMS
FOR CHILDREN WHO REALLY APPRECIATE SUCH IMPORTANT GIFTS

This important project gave even more than usual to around 1,000 children.

Packing of 500 complete uniform sets started on Sunday 14th, then loading more essential goods into two of the three trucks first thing Monday 15th was completed before starting the long drive to Mae Sot. Truck number three was lined-up to bring another full load of goods later and we were delighted to have yet another truck and driver waiting to help us re-distribute several tons of essential supplies when we reached Mae Sot.

1,000 kids get something important during one week

Delivering so much happiness to so many people is hard, but rewarding work!

Quote from Project volunteer,  Mr. Gary White.  First stop was the Hope Learning Center. We had visited Hope on a previous project trip in June, and Clown Eckie had performed his show and given a truck load of educational supplies, clothing and toys then. So it was a bit soon to do all that again, and the objective here was simply to distribute uniforms to the children.

Volunteer Mr, Gary White Doing Important Work!

These Learning Centers are not formal schools under the Thai Education Ministry, but rather semi-independent institutions set up to cater for the educational needs of children whose parents come from Burma (although they are listed with the Thai Education Ministry). A number come under the umbrellas of organizations like the Migrant Education Group. This means they are inherently poor, but there are “poor” and “POOR”. In the case, Hope LC, poor means dirt grounds and (in some areas, floors), thatched roofs, woven rattan walls, very sparse equipment, and children in cast-off clothes that have often deteriorated to little more than rags. Are the kids happy? Yes, they generally are, but they have no sense of community, no school spirit, no real sense that they belong to anything, which inhibits their ability to learn and their own social interactions. It was quite amazing to see how this aspect changed once they donned their brand spanking new uniforms with their bright orange shirts and black pants.

Siblings feel great when they have the same clothes

“It reminds me of Eddie’s philosophy that if children in a school all have the same uniform then there is a reduced risk of bullying. When I saw the kids first lining up in their well worn and grubby clothes, and then saw the transformation in their looks and attitude once they had their new uniforms on, it came home to me that the reason for all this effort really pays off!”

Now sit back and see these fantastic project photos by Mr. Simon Balmer
(All rights reserved [email protected])

Volunteers attending this project * Founder/Director, Eddie Haworth (aka Clown Eckie); * Project photographer, Simon Balmer; * Translator and driver, Khun Amarin Nissasoka; * Project Treasurer, Gary White; * Sponsored driver, Khun Berm. * Mr. & Mrs. Kit and Mae Youngsuwan * Mrs. Ma Lay, Migrant Education

Volunteering to help the children

Hundreds of children feeling good in their new uniforms More uniforms came from Bangkok St. Georges Society and Bangkok's British Women's Group. Toys, clothing, educational equipment and medical supplies were also donated by individuals and families in Bangkok and other cities worldwide. Larger individual donations of toys and educational supplies came from Len Penn Music Academy, and Harrow International School.

Uniform Project A new initiative this year, the aim of this project is to secure sponsors for uniform sets (an easy clean, hard wearing polo shirt and long track suit style unisex pants), with these to be distributed to the children at various Learning Centers scattered around the Mae Sot area (and perhaps later to children in other areas). The uniforms come in two sizes, small and large, and each has a Gift of Happiness logo sewn on it. Major sponsors can also have their own corporate logos on them if they wish for a small additional fee. Sponsors for 500 sets were obtained, and all the uniforms were given out at the Learning Centers. The average cost of each uniform set is around ฿.400.00 ($.13.50)

Download the full detailed project report and accounts of aid given to around 1,000 children during this project. By Volunteer, Mr. Gary White

gary_white_gift_of_happiness_foundation_report_sept_2014.pdf File Size: 287 kb File Type: pdf Download File

September 15 to 19 2014 Aid, Uniforms & Show Giving Project.

Gift of Happiness Foundations is totally committed to “Giving Happiness”.

Note to volunteers;
All the people we visit are living in very poor or desperately poor situations and volunteers assisting on this project must be prepared to experience some sights that may be uncomfortable.  Since 2005, we have learned that dealing with migrant communities and refugee camps, nothing ever goes strictly according to plan, but it usually ends-up OK at the end of the day. Therefore, volunteers must be prepared for last minute changes.

Gift of Happiness Foundation supporting this School at Wat Sam Makan, near Ayutthaya, Thailand since 2005.

First event of September at Gift of Happiness Foundation. 

Next big event is 15 to 19 September 'Aid, Uniforms & Show Giving Project. HERE

Basic but essential goods for baby

Gift of Happiness Foundation probably entertained this young mother when she was a pupil at the school just a few short years ago. Now she has been abandoned by the father of her child and she's been unable work since giving birth. Mother and baby are now living with granny and they really need a help-in-hand to get through this difficult period.

Mother & Baby have a good day as well!

All this and more for one lucky baby

Thank you from Granny

MUST READ!
There's still time to support the 'Uniforms for Needy Kids Appeal' before we give 500 new uniforms to children living in Northern Thailand from 15 to 19 September 2014.