Does anyone else give as much happiness as often as we do?
Suddenly we are half way through the year and just realised how much joy and happiness we have already given in 2016!
Just take a quick look at our archives and tell us who else gives so much to so many?
January - February - March - April - May - June
Send us your feedback here
Just take a quick look at our archives and tell us who else gives so much to so many?
January - February - March - April - May - June
Send us your feedback here
Here's our latest Aid & Show Giving Project...
Gift of Happiness Foundation is proud to be collaborating again with UNICEF and the Burmese Migrant Workers' Education Committee, working together to help thousands of poor people in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Gift of Happiness Foundation is proud to be collaborating again with UNICEF and the Burmese Migrant Workers' Education Committee, working together to help thousands of poor people in the Kingdom of Thailand.
1,000's of children like these are educated in very harsh conditions.
Gift of Happiness Foundation simply gives them a little happiness to cherish!
Project dates including preparation and revamp; 25/06/16 to 30/06/16
Volunteers: Mr. Eddie Haworth, Clown Eckie Corporation & Founder/Director GoHF. - Mr. Terry Sherwood. Paid staff: None
25 June 2016: Aid giving to poor families in Bangkok - 26 June 2016: Preparation and loading at Go Happiness Centre, Bangkok.
27 June 2016: Driving all day to Mae Sot, Tak province, Thailand - 28 June 2016: Morning, Thoom Wmwe Htee Gar and Afternoon, Ni and Parhita Migrant Learning Centres/Schools - 29 June, 2016: Morning, Parahita Htoo. - Afternoon, Future Garden and Mae Tao Clinic, Mae Sot.
Saturday 25 June 2016.
Gift of Happiness Foundation gave toys, clothing and baby supplies to poor families and single parents at the Go Happiness Centre in downtown Bangkok. All coming from the very caring children, parents and staff at Charter International School, Bromsgrove Early Years International School, members of the Bangkok St Georges Society, Selective Asia via Exo Travel Thailand, Allied Pickfords, Santa Fe and many individual families in Bangkok and worldwide.
Gift of Happiness Foundation gave toys, clothing and baby supplies to poor families and single parents at the Go Happiness Centre in downtown Bangkok. All coming from the very caring children, parents and staff at Charter International School, Bromsgrove Early Years International School, members of the Bangkok St Georges Society, Selective Asia via Exo Travel Thailand, Allied Pickfords, Santa Fe and many individual families in Bangkok and worldwide.
|
This months regular collections of goods from Len Penn Music Academy, Park Lane British Suit & Shirt Designers, DTC Travel in Bangkok. Most of the goods were collected and taken to the new Go happiness Centre by Eddie Haworth Founder/Director at Gift of Happiness Foundation, in our wonderful "Happy Trucks" given by Monroe Consulting Group and Clown Eckie Corporation.
"Thank You!" |
|
|
Sunday 26 June 2016.
This was the Gift of Happiness Foundation loading and preparation day at the new Go Happiness Centre. Our great volunteer Terry Sherwood came over to give a much needed help in hand in readiness for the big June 2016 Aid and Show Giving Project starting next day. |
The following report is an absolute "Must Read" right to the end article!
It's written from the heart by our much respected volunteer who joined this months project...
27 to 30 June 2016.
Gift of happiness Foundation June 2016 Project report by Mr Terry Sherwood.
I first met Eddie Haworth, Founder/Director at Gift of Happiness Foundation in…. – Oh well, more grey cells gone – I am of that age! -- Most of you reading this will know of Eddie’s long standing, enduring and ongoing work to help children achieve at least a little window of happiness as they start their own climb on the ubiquitous “ladder of life”. To some degree, a number of you will also know some of Eddie’s own past and his driving ambition to ensure that he can assist children, educators and volunteers (et al) to know the greatest gift of all – that of having unfettered and unconditional moments of happiness as well as (hopefully) being noticed and cared for.
Gift of happiness Foundation June 2016 Project report by Mr Terry Sherwood.
I first met Eddie Haworth, Founder/Director at Gift of Happiness Foundation in…. – Oh well, more grey cells gone – I am of that age! -- Most of you reading this will know of Eddie’s long standing, enduring and ongoing work to help children achieve at least a little window of happiness as they start their own climb on the ubiquitous “ladder of life”. To some degree, a number of you will also know some of Eddie’s own past and his driving ambition to ensure that he can assist children, educators and volunteers (et al) to know the greatest gift of all – that of having unfettered and unconditional moments of happiness as well as (hopefully) being noticed and cared for.
I personally make no bones or apologies for being eternally grateful for the gifts of kindness that I received as a Barnardo’s “Old Boy” – from anonymous public donations in the famous Dr. Barnardo’s collections boxes to toys (or even the boxes that toys came in) to eventually being fostered. Thank you to everyone. Additionally, I have just recently (semi?) retired after spending the last five years as the first ever Asia Regional Security Adviser for a leading and long established global child rights INGO.
This meant that I have only been able to support Eddie’s efforts with donations every now and then, so I grabbed this opportunity to physically get involved again.
Anyway, to the trip. A few hours of pre-packing the vehicles, confirming the logistics and administration of the trip ensued on Sunday followed by “lastminute.com” bits and bobs on Monday morning as we set off – naturally, we still forgot a couple of key items which we only discovered about later. The drive up to Mae Sot from Bangkok was pretty good – only a couple of rain showers and short stretches of poor road surfaces slowed things down but of course always within the legal limits – however my Army experience of convoy driving was definitely most useful on several occasions. Once we hit the mountains near our destination, my manual gear selection and road position skills were quite strongly put to the test but it certainly ensured that I wouldn’t suffer from “nodding dog” syndrome! I was certainly ready for my sleep that night once we had checked in to the excellent Poonnagunn hotel and a hearty evening meal nearby.
Our first activity day up north commenced with a hearty buffet breakfast then a stop to collect our local guide and interpreter from the offices of the Burmese Migrant Workers Education Committee (BMWEC) – Walisha (hopefully I’ve spelled his name correctly). A lovely man currently engaged in studying for his Master’s, we chatted so much that we almost missed both school road/entrance turnings that day (and with our vehicle leading, luckily Eddie’s reactions and brakes were up the task).
The first school initially appeared to harbour and display a rather somewhat sombre individual attitude, judging by the behaviour of both adults and children. However, smiles and excitement are very difficult to keep under wraps when the various educational materials, toys, clothes, shoes and other goods were ready for transferring from the vehicles to the school hall – cue first photo opportunity.
Having suffered a small gardening accident a few days before we departed, Eddie’s very badly injured leg precluded him from making a show here but this also strengthened his resolve to try to do some kind of performance at the next school.
To reach this school I had to negotiate driving the high-top Go Happiness truck under some low trees along a rough track, but after failing to sufficiently protect the hanging unripe Avocados and Mangoes from being knocked to the ground by the top of the vehicle, I safely led (under Walisha’s directions) our two part convoy into the school grounds where we were eagerly helped to transfer everything to the show set-up area.
The first school initially appeared to harbour and display a rather somewhat sombre individual attitude, judging by the behaviour of both adults and children. However, smiles and excitement are very difficult to keep under wraps when the various educational materials, toys, clothes, shoes and other goods were ready for transferring from the vehicles to the school hall – cue first photo opportunity.
Having suffered a small gardening accident a few days before we departed, Eddie’s very badly injured leg precluded him from making a show here but this also strengthened his resolve to try to do some kind of performance at the next school.
To reach this school I had to negotiate driving the high-top Go Happiness truck under some low trees along a rough track, but after failing to sufficiently protect the hanging unripe Avocados and Mangoes from being knocked to the ground by the top of the vehicle, I safely led (under Walisha’s directions) our two part convoy into the school grounds where we were eagerly helped to transfer everything to the show set-up area.
All the donated goods and Eddie’s performance materials were duly carried to the platform in front of a giant Buddha statue and although limited by his injury, Eddies show was hugely entertaining as can be seen by the many photo’s well snapped by Walisha on Eddies Android phone.
On the way back to returning Walisha to the BMWEC, we stopped off at a brand new-built school called Nam Tok Migrant Learning Centre (Waterfall school) that had been moved from a prior location where the headmaster, “Owen” was delighted to see his old friend Eddie who's been supporting the school since 2005 and they arrange something appropriate for the next GOHF project to Mae Sot.
On the way back to returning Walisha to the BMWEC, we stopped off at a brand new-built school called Nam Tok Migrant Learning Centre (Waterfall school) that had been moved from a prior location where the headmaster, “Owen” was delighted to see his old friend Eddie who's been supporting the school since 2005 and they arrange something appropriate for the next GOHF project to Mae Sot.
|
Then on the way back to town, Eddie also spotted a clown statue outside an almost newly completed Thai resort so a great photo opp took place as well as potentially very useful networking details exchanged. A leisurely drive back to the hotel with spectacular mountain and valley views and the dropping off of Walisha took place followed by a visit to a local pharmacy for Eddie to buy much needed medical supplies for his leg wounds, then back at the hotel the uploading/downloading of a couple of hundred of today’s photo’s by Eddie. A super, hearty but tasty and cheap, meal at a local restaurant followed later that evening with at least me remembering to be sensible enough not to eat anything too spicy – as per my wife’s (and doctor’s) instructions, despite the temptation.
|
Wednesday started with collecting both Walisha and another volunteer, Meedob, from the BMWEC office and off we all went again in the two vehicles. The first tiny school we visited was about 50 kilometres from Mae Sot and it turned out to be a wonderful experience – loads of smiling, daubed faces ready for the clown show so Eddie stepped up to the plate once again, despite his well concealed uncomfortable leg wounds, then the childrens laughter and smiles soon grew from nervous beginnings to unfettered and unbridled laughter and inclusive happiness from all who bore witness.
After a delicious lunch at a local eatery, it was finally too much for Eddie to perform a second show at our next, and last, school (Future Garden) but Walisha and Meedob superbly rallied the children and staff, after offloading and positioning everything from both vehicles, so that some wonderful photo’ opportunities were not just participated in but thoroughly “owned” by everyone. We next dropped of Walisha and Meedob back at the BMWEC office (either my driving is brilliant or I am so incredibly boring – moot point! - but Walisha managed to sleep almost all of the way back!).
After a delicious lunch at a local eatery, it was finally too much for Eddie to perform a second show at our next, and last, school (Future Garden) but Walisha and Meedob superbly rallied the children and staff, after offloading and positioning everything from both vehicles, so that some wonderful photo’ opportunities were not just participated in but thoroughly “owned” by everyone. We next dropped of Walisha and Meedob back at the BMWEC office (either my driving is brilliant or I am so incredibly boring – moot point! - but Walisha managed to sleep almost all of the way back!).
Our last scheduled stop for Eddie and I was at the newly built and new location of the Mae Tao Clinic. Miss Winny Htoo is the GOHF contact person here and her atypical Karen smile and positive “can-do” approach meant that we and all the important medical and baby supplies we gave were efficiently, gratefully and appreciatively received.
Back we went to our base, the Poonnagunn hotel, for an unwind so that Eddie could upload today’s photos and catch up properly while I soaked under a hot shower in my own room and then texted with my wife and daughter back in Bangkok. An evening meal, again at the very good Casa Mia restaurant in town, followed where Eddie also managed to find time to use his networking skills to potentially help the ongoing and future plans for the organisation.
Back we went to our base, the Poonnagunn hotel, for an unwind so that Eddie could upload today’s photos and catch up properly while I soaked under a hot shower in my own room and then texted with my wife and daughter back in Bangkok. An evening meal, again at the very good Casa Mia restaurant in town, followed where Eddie also managed to find time to use his networking skills to potentially help the ongoing and future plans for the organisation.
Thursday morning breakfast was followed by our long drive back to Bangers but a great break at the famous Muser market meant we could both fill up on vegetable purchases for our respective homes at exceptionally good value. We arrived back at The Go Happiness Centre on On Nut Soi 36 early enough to beat the infamous rush hour traffic and I said my goodbyes to Eddie so I could dash back home (luckily just up the road).
|
Eddie might edit this out (I hope that he doesn’t but will understand if he does) but he is currently quite ill and in a lot of pain however he has that indomitable, intrinsically charitable and unselfish spirit of “the show must go on” and he has, once again, not just risen to the occasion but exceeded same.
I am a former soldier and I take my hat off to this man who not only leads by example but also doesn’t try to play the shame or guilt card that many other charities or NGOs exert – whether they do so implicitly or otherwise. Eddie is a true entertainer; a gentleman, a man of the people, an empathetic soul, a light in the dark, a great storyteller but most importantly – for me – a friend. Please, I implore and encourage you, if you can at least try once, come on one of Eddie’s show and gift giving trips and see the effect that your own actual presence has on these kids who (in my humble opinion) want only one thing in life – a bit of a laugh and a chance. |
Eddie Haworth is humbled by these comments. "Thank You Terry"!
|
If you can’t do that, please could you ask around and recommend a Thai maid and also a handyman to help Eddie at the foundation offices – it would be even better if you could perhaps sponsor either of those two appointments for the charity.
At the end of this trip, I am tired and aching in places probably atypical for a man of my age but I mostly feel both proud to have been a part of Eddie’s monthly gift giving trips and humbled by the kids and those who support them.
Thanks Eddie, I not only thoroughly enjoyed my time again as a volunteer and spectator (and I also thankfully lost some weight!) but I also remembered, and was able to put into practice again, one of my own life tenets of “service before self”.
To all potential volunteers, donors and sponsors out there – “please form an orderly queue to Gift of Happiness”. Seeing the smiling faces and hearing wonderful, infectious laughter is not only good for the kids but great for all who are lucky enough to experience it.
See you soon Eddie, Thanks again! Terry.
At the end of this trip, I am tired and aching in places probably atypical for a man of my age but I mostly feel both proud to have been a part of Eddie’s monthly gift giving trips and humbled by the kids and those who support them.
Thanks Eddie, I not only thoroughly enjoyed my time again as a volunteer and spectator (and I also thankfully lost some weight!) but I also remembered, and was able to put into practice again, one of my own life tenets of “service before self”.
To all potential volunteers, donors and sponsors out there – “please form an orderly queue to Gift of Happiness”. Seeing the smiling faces and hearing wonderful, infectious laughter is not only good for the kids but great for all who are lucky enough to experience it.
See you soon Eddie, Thanks again! Terry.
We know there's lots of people who believe in what we are doing.
This is where you can act on those thoughts!
This is where you can act on those thoughts!
|
Wish List
*Clothing - Adult and Children’s / New or Used. *Toys - "No toy weapons please". *School equipment - Paper, pencils etc *Playground equipment - Always very welcome *Medical supplies - anything available at your local pharmacy. *Bedding - Essential for most northern locations. *Toweling - Can also be used for bedding. *Personal hygiene - Soap, toothpaste/brushes etc. *Mosquito nets - Helps prevent Malaria and Dengue. READ MORE>>> |
Please consider buying at least a few sets of new underwear for the kids. "You know it's important!" Only 140-THB ($4-00 USD) per set! Please Give to This Cause by C/Card or PayPal...
Thank You.
