Go Happiness Go Back to Mae Sot, Thailand
Founder of The Gift of Happiness Foundation, Eddie Haworth has been visiting Mae Sot to give free "Edutainment Performances" and tons of essential aid to needy people since the year 2002.
It's been a while since the Gift of Happiness Foundation has produced an aid giving project in Mae Sot because the Charity has been concentrating on supporting some very needy people living on Garbage Dumps and Slum Communities in or near Bangkok.
In response to a request for some educational materials, new underwear, school uniforms, other clothing, toys, bedding and toiletries. Eddie has produced a 5 day aid and show giving project to serve around 1,500 children in need who are studying at 3 Migrant Schools in the region of Mae Sot, Tak Province.
The lucky children receiving so much joy and essential goods on 28,29,30th October 2019 are all students who live in very harsh environments way off the beaten tracks within 50 kilometres of Mae Sot City, Tak Province, Thailand.
Report by regular GoHF Volunteer, Mrs. Ailsa Kneath;
On Sunday 26th October ‘Project Tour’ to Mae Sot began, a little late in leaving due to my handbag being left behind, and the fact that the entrance to The Gift of Happiness Foundation was blocked with huge machines digging up the road. An only in Thailand moment!
We had a clear run and arrived as the sun was setting behind the mountains. We quickly decamped for dinner, beginning with the prerequisite french fries and garlic bread (neat crushed garlic on warm bread). A beer or two was followed by a deep sleep until morning, when we woke to a blue blue sky.
A short journey to the first school, the Nya Li Ah Hta Learning Centre, which is to be found deep in amongst the sugar cane plantations, surrounded by stunning mountains; this, however, does not hide the real poverty and deprivation in which these cheerful and respectful people live. It was wonderful to see the same teacher who has been there for the last 3 years, and all the amazingly well-behaved children. The 94 children were so grateful for all the clothes, toys, educational equipment, soap and, best of all, the sets of new underwear that were given. Needless to say, Eckie the Clown’s show went down a storm.
Day two dawned with the same blue sky, and we were off to visit Parahita Learning Centre, set in the mountains with a small monastery at its core. Yet again these children were so poor that not each child had some lunch to eat, having to wander amongst their friends hoping for a small gift. Even living like this does not seem to quash their innate happiness and ability to be extremely responsive to the show, squeals of delight were heard throughout, and eager to volunteer to help Clown Eckie. We were delighted to deliver 150 plus uniforms for the whole school along with the 15 bags of clothes for all ages, educational equipment, soap and the coveted sets of new underwear. To round-off the day, a wonderful elderly gentleman was so concerned for Clown Eckie’s skin, that he brought him an avocado to rub all over - we are still wondering what difference it will make!
Day three and we were off to drop one of the volunteers at the bus station to return to Chiang Mai. We continued to NamTok learning centre. This school has been supported for many years by The Gift of Happiness Foundation and it is a fabulously self supporting establishment as they grow their own vegetables and the head master has won awards for spearheading this sustainability. However, on this visit it was very noticeable that Mae Sot seems to have lost many of its NGO supporters, and the children at this school appear to be very much more needy than they were on previous visits. It is very difficult to describe the poverty that is so visible, but what is always evident is the never ending cheerfulness of the children, always charming and ready with a smile. Again we were able to deliver new underwear to all, many clothes, soap and educational equipment. If we were in any doubt about how our delivery was enjoyed, you just had to watch the children as they left clutching their new underwear and clothes close to their chests. The sight melted all our hearts.
I recommend travelling with the Gift of Happiness Foundation if you wish to see first hand how 100% of donations that people give, can make a real difference and bring such simple happiness to so many children. A week of fantastic experiences and a great leveller, thank you Eddie.
Unpaid volunteers attending this Gift of Happiness Foundation Aid Giving Project;
Eddie Haworth Ailsa Kneath and Sandra Bias.
Project Sponsors; Clown Eckie - Main Sponsor for GoHG; Monroe Consulting Group
Eddie Haworth Ailsa Kneath and Sandra Bias.
Project Sponsors; Clown Eckie - Main Sponsor for GoHG; Monroe Consulting Group
A few facts about funding for the Gift of Happiness Foundation...
In 2005, our Founder, Mr Eddie Haworth (AKA Clown Eckie Corporation) provided more than 500,000-THB ($15,964-USD) as required in legal fees and Government registration fees to set-up the Thai registered charity, Gift of Happiness Foundation. Eddie also provided the main 4x4 off-road capable vehicle needed for the charity to bring essential goods to remote parts of Thailand. He still covers repayments and maintenance costs for the latest 4x4 vehicle, purchased in 2018 at a cost of ฿1.2 million-THB ($38,300-USD). The money for all this came and still comes from Eddie's earnings as a professional Entertainer and since 2018, from Eddie's British state pension.
Eddie is a Volunteer at the Gift of happiness Foundation and he has never received a salary. He is not allowed access to the Charity Bank Account which is governed by the Gift of Happiness Foundation's, all Thai Citizens Board of Trustees.
This is where our 100% pledge comes in.
In 2014, our inspirational gold sponsor, Monroe Consulting Group gave Gift of Happiness Foundation the gift of a brand-new truck and a pledge to provide monthly cash donations to cover the Gift of Happiness Foundation’s core running costs.
100% pledge; The following core running costs are covered by Monroe Consulting Group and the Clown Eckie Corporation; All administration costs - staff salaries - Office/Warehouse rent and utilities - insurance - telephones - Office stationery services and expenses - IT services - Bank charges - Audit, payroll and accountancy fees and Government charity-registration fees.
So it's Thanks to the generous support of Monroe Consulting Group, 100% of the money you give to Gift of Happiness Foundation does go directly to Gift of Happiness Foundation projects and not to overhead or administrative costs.
In 2005, our Founder, Mr Eddie Haworth (AKA Clown Eckie Corporation) provided more than 500,000-THB ($15,964-USD) as required in legal fees and Government registration fees to set-up the Thai registered charity, Gift of Happiness Foundation. Eddie also provided the main 4x4 off-road capable vehicle needed for the charity to bring essential goods to remote parts of Thailand. He still covers repayments and maintenance costs for the latest 4x4 vehicle, purchased in 2018 at a cost of ฿1.2 million-THB ($38,300-USD). The money for all this came and still comes from Eddie's earnings as a professional Entertainer and since 2018, from Eddie's British state pension.
Eddie is a Volunteer at the Gift of happiness Foundation and he has never received a salary. He is not allowed access to the Charity Bank Account which is governed by the Gift of Happiness Foundation's, all Thai Citizens Board of Trustees.
This is where our 100% pledge comes in.
In 2014, our inspirational gold sponsor, Monroe Consulting Group gave Gift of Happiness Foundation the gift of a brand-new truck and a pledge to provide monthly cash donations to cover the Gift of Happiness Foundation’s core running costs.
100% pledge; The following core running costs are covered by Monroe Consulting Group and the Clown Eckie Corporation; All administration costs - staff salaries - Office/Warehouse rent and utilities - insurance - telephones - Office stationery services and expenses - IT services - Bank charges - Audit, payroll and accountancy fees and Government charity-registration fees.
So it's Thanks to the generous support of Monroe Consulting Group, 100% of the money you give to Gift of Happiness Foundation does go directly to Gift of Happiness Foundation projects and not to overhead or administrative costs.
We always need support from individuals or companies to help pay for the monthly aid giving project tours throughout Thailand.
Please send whatever you can afford or ask any questions here...
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Support this Cause Here
and
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Thank You
Questions about the Gift of Happiness Foundation activities; [email protected]
Please send whatever you can afford or ask any questions here...
Credit Cards
Support this Cause Here
and
PayPal Here
Thank You
Questions about the Gift of Happiness Foundation activities; [email protected]
