Gift of Happiness Foundation team brings a "Massive Bundle of Joy"
to poor people in Thailand again.
This news up-date is a little longer than our usual reports, but well worth reading right to the end, and of course the pictures also tell a great story all about this most wonderful week of "Happiness Giving"!
Founder/Director at Gift of Happiness Foundation, Eddie Haworth (AKA Clown Eckie) became the official Clown Doctor at a home for children with HIV and the well known NGO, Operation Smile in 2002. He's been administering the 'Happiness Drug' to hundreds of thousands ever since and this week he and his team gave a massive overdose of happiness to yet another 1,000 plus poor people in Thailand!
Enchanted by the Gift of Happiness!
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Aid and Show Giving Project 21st to 28th August 2016.
Gift of Happiness foundation were back in the Northern border city of Mae Sot, Tak province, Thailand to serve another 1,000-Plus poor people with three truck loads of essential goods and a great deal of HAPPINESS. The Clown Doctor and a great team of volunteers presented Clown Eckie's Famous "Big Fat Buffoonery show" and interactive lessons in English given by a top class professional International School teacher to hundreds of children, teachers and parents during this week long project. -- BIG FAT BUFFOONERY SHOW VIDEO>> |
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Gift of Happiness Volunteer Reporting the Good News!
Mae Sot Revisited. Report by volunteer Mr. Terry Sherwood, honorable ex-British military serviceman
Once again we intrepid few embarked upon a mission to deliver happiness and gifts to the children and communities of northern Thailand.
Once again we intrepid few embarked upon a mission to deliver happiness and gifts to the children and communities of northern Thailand.
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This time, supporting the GOH Founder and Director Eddie Haworth (AKA “Clown Eckie”) were also Martin and Ailsa Neath and their excellent support driver and all round ‘go to guy’ khun Prachak.
Monday started as always with the drive up north from Bangers, all of us having loaded and prepped the vehicles the previous Saturday after GOHF’s first ever Open/Fun Day at the HQ off On Nut Soi 36. |
Unusual School Mascot or maybe school lunch one day?
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Ears successfully de-popped after the final mountain road climb, we all decamped to our rooms at the usual reliable, good value, and excellently staffed, Poonagunn hotel. A relaxing meal at one of Mae Sot’s restaurants/diners prepared us all for our first night’s stay.
All five shows, two per day except Thursday which saw us deliver and tour the newly re-located Mae Sot Health Clinic, were delivered to fantastic receptions by incredibly fresh-faced children of various ages. Indeed, the hilarity was so infectious at New Wave school that even some of the staff were victims of unrestrained ‘belly laughs’ – possibly only slightly usurped by the incredible uncontrollable laughter of a couple of particularly young (but very loud!) spectators/participants.
All five shows, two per day except Thursday which saw us deliver and tour the newly re-located Mae Sot Health Clinic, were delivered to fantastic receptions by incredibly fresh-faced children of various ages. Indeed, the hilarity was so infectious at New Wave school that even some of the staff were victims of unrestrained ‘belly laughs’ – possibly only slightly usurped by the incredible uncontrollable laughter of a couple of particularly young (but very loud!) spectators/participants.
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It has to be said that the even photo’s, brilliantly taken by Martin “David Bailey” Neath, cannot capture the physical feeling – immensely cathartic and soul-uplifting – of being in the presence of kids doing what they all should be doing all around the world. That is laughing their toes off!
I am supposed to be a life-hardened former Serviceman but I am absolutely proud to have had to frequently wipe tears of laughter from my face whenever Clown Eckie reels the audience in and draws forth such gut-felt laughter and face-wide smiles – this, dear reader, you MUST (pretty please with bells on!) come and experience. 
Children can't help steping out of their classroom to say hello when Gift of Happiness arrives!
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Children at an Orphanage in Mae Sot always love to see the Go Happiness team arrive!
The drive back to Bangers on Friday was surprisingly quick – but “powder room” stops were of course made – considering it is the beginning of the weekend but, fortunately for my refrigerator, there were no giant spring onions available for me to buy from Doi Muser Market!
Thanks so much to Martin, Ailsa (now Eddie’s de-facto warm-up act?!) and khun Prachak whom were all indispensable. Many thanks again Eddie for letting me once more into this world where laughter really is an absolute filip – both in hearing it from all those kids and for those lucky enough to help you in your ongoing mission. |
Note to Eddie Haworth; "See you soon mate – I am now confirming my youngest daughter’s next school holiday and she will be coming with us for sure".
Gift of Happiness Foundation had a mega week in the lead-up to the August 2016 main Aid and Show Giving Project to north Thailand...Just take a look at these pictures and our last news post to see the whole story for yourself...
Gift of Happiness Foundation Project to Mae Sot 21st to 28th August 2016.
Reported by Mr. Martin Kneath, Retired Principal at Regents International School Bangkok
Our preparation for this particular project started some while back, sorting through all the donations received from organisations, international schools and individuals. Bags of adult clothes, children’s clothes sorted by age, toys, toiletries, shoes – men’s, women’s and children’s, educational equipment, bedding, candies and drinks are arranged and loaded into the Monroe sponsored van and the Kneath’s Fortuner along with boxes of pasta donated by Eurofood, Bangkok. Loading took place the previous Thursday as we were delighted to be busy receiving a cheque from Regus Thailand on Friday and we were also preparing for the first Yard Sale in the grounds of the new GoHF offices on Saturday 20th August.
The convoy of Eddies’ car, the van and the Kneath’s car left at about 09-30 am on Monday 22nd August and after an uneventful journey, we duly arrived at the usual accommodation – the Poonagunn Hotel in good time for an early dinner at a favoured restaurant in the Thai/Burma Border City of Mae Sot.
Tuesday 23rd August included a visit to the SAW Secondary School where educational books and equipment, shoes, children’s clothes, toys, toiletries, pasta and candies were handed over. There followed a very well received Eckie The Bumbling Clown Show, which was preceded by a highly professional audience ‘warm-up’ by Ailsa Kneath!
A short trip to a very muddy and wet location, P’yang Dang Learning Center of the Ray of Hope Schools, where the GoHF had previously donated a water pump, water tanks and toilet facilities, gave us an update on the progress of the Center. As this was a flying visit, there was a donation of pasta, particularly as cooking had been recently included in the curriculum. GoHF hopes to visit in the near future with more donations and a Show.
On to the Social Action for Women (SAW) women’s and children refuge, where we were greeted warmly by Dr. Htin Zaw. A number of the little ones recognised Ailsa in particular and latched themselves on to her pretty quickly. Here donations of pasta, shoes, clothes, baby stuff, toiletries, toys, uniforms, educational books and materials and bedding were made. Always a pleasure to see the grateful expressions of women and children alike, though as always an all too short a visit.
Wednesday saw us visit the Hope Migrant Learning Centre, Phop Phra (Pakham Mai). Donations of pasta, adult and children’s clothes, toiletries, toys, educational books and materials were made. Ailsa’s warm up programme included interactive songs such as ‘Fly away Peter, Fly away Paul’, Old MacDonald’s Farm and ‘Mother and her five ducks swimming over the mountain’! All positively responded to by children and teachers alike! Balloons, Baby Baby and general clowning around were also all enjoyed during Eckie’s programme.
In the afternoon, we visited Nam Hok Learning Centre and again donations of pasta, adult and children’s clothes, toiletries, toys, educational books and materials were made. The children and teachers all appreciated the fun of the show, with many children rising to the occasion if brought up on stage by interacting very well!
The convoy of Eddies’ car, the van and the Kneath’s car left at about 09-30 am on Monday 22nd August and after an uneventful journey, we duly arrived at the usual accommodation – the Poonagunn Hotel in good time for an early dinner at a favoured restaurant in the Thai/Burma Border City of Mae Sot.
Tuesday 23rd August included a visit to the SAW Secondary School where educational books and equipment, shoes, children’s clothes, toys, toiletries, pasta and candies were handed over. There followed a very well received Eckie The Bumbling Clown Show, which was preceded by a highly professional audience ‘warm-up’ by Ailsa Kneath!
A short trip to a very muddy and wet location, P’yang Dang Learning Center of the Ray of Hope Schools, where the GoHF had previously donated a water pump, water tanks and toilet facilities, gave us an update on the progress of the Center. As this was a flying visit, there was a donation of pasta, particularly as cooking had been recently included in the curriculum. GoHF hopes to visit in the near future with more donations and a Show.
On to the Social Action for Women (SAW) women’s and children refuge, where we were greeted warmly by Dr. Htin Zaw. A number of the little ones recognised Ailsa in particular and latched themselves on to her pretty quickly. Here donations of pasta, shoes, clothes, baby stuff, toiletries, toys, uniforms, educational books and materials and bedding were made. Always a pleasure to see the grateful expressions of women and children alike, though as always an all too short a visit.
Wednesday saw us visit the Hope Migrant Learning Centre, Phop Phra (Pakham Mai). Donations of pasta, adult and children’s clothes, toiletries, toys, educational books and materials were made. Ailsa’s warm up programme included interactive songs such as ‘Fly away Peter, Fly away Paul’, Old MacDonald’s Farm and ‘Mother and her five ducks swimming over the mountain’! All positively responded to by children and teachers alike! Balloons, Baby Baby and general clowning around were also all enjoyed during Eckie’s programme.
In the afternoon, we visited Nam Hok Learning Centre and again donations of pasta, adult and children’s clothes, toiletries, toys, educational books and materials were made. The children and teachers all appreciated the fun of the show, with many children rising to the occasion if brought up on stage by interacting very well!
Be sure to see these great pictures taken at Hope Migrant Learning Centre and Nam Tok Migrant Learning Centre
Thursday brought about our visit to the Mao Tao Clinic, Tak Province, Thailand.
Here are Ailsa’s impressions:
Our first visit to Mao Tao Clinic in January 2016 ‘blew our minds’ away. We could not believe that so much health care could be provided in such dire conditions; however, we were truly ‘blown away’ again when we shown around the brand new, purpose built Clinic this week. We handed over donations of 14 bags of adult clothes, 6 bags of adult ‘nappies’, 1 bag of men’s shoes, 1 of children’s shoes and a pack of spectacles after which we were given a guided tour of the Clinic by a great employee at the clinic, Ms Winnie Htoo.
The best thing about the new Clinic is that it has been built upon land that the Clinic owns and each new purpose built department is clean, bright, safe and ready to give the best of medical care. The doctors are volunteers from around the world, usually newly trained. They each do a 6-week stint. Many of the patients have had to walk from Myanmar across the border and the Clinic can now provide dormitories for the family to stay whilst treatment is given. They have also constructed an orphanage to accommodate the children and babies who are just left at the Clinic. Work is still in progress, but the surrounding pathways are now mud free and international architect volunteers are continuing to landscape and designing training centres. I am sure that the work will continue for years, as they have also been able to purchase the surrounding land. To visit the amazing Mao Tao Clinic is humbling and uplifting, when you see the good work that is achieved. A truly life changing experience!
Our first visit to Mao Tao Clinic in January 2016 ‘blew our minds’ away. We could not believe that so much health care could be provided in such dire conditions; however, we were truly ‘blown away’ again when we shown around the brand new, purpose built Clinic this week. We handed over donations of 14 bags of adult clothes, 6 bags of adult ‘nappies’, 1 bag of men’s shoes, 1 of children’s shoes and a pack of spectacles after which we were given a guided tour of the Clinic by a great employee at the clinic, Ms Winnie Htoo.
The best thing about the new Clinic is that it has been built upon land that the Clinic owns and each new purpose built department is clean, bright, safe and ready to give the best of medical care. The doctors are volunteers from around the world, usually newly trained. They each do a 6-week stint. Many of the patients have had to walk from Myanmar across the border and the Clinic can now provide dormitories for the family to stay whilst treatment is given. They have also constructed an orphanage to accommodate the children and babies who are just left at the Clinic. Work is still in progress, but the surrounding pathways are now mud free and international architect volunteers are continuing to landscape and designing training centres. I am sure that the work will continue for years, as they have also been able to purchase the surrounding land. To visit the amazing Mao Tao Clinic is humbling and uplifting, when you see the good work that is achieved. A truly life changing experience!
Our final visit on this trip was to the New Wave Learning Centre
This is where we experienced probably the most appreciative of all our audiences. There had been children who had us laughing with their infectious laughter at other Centres; but here, tears of joy were running down our cheeks at two or three children whose peals of laughter were just wonderful. Even the teachers were in ‘stitches’!! Eckie was resplendent in a very fetching blue suit and excelled himself once again, with Ailsa heightening the children’s awareness with her interactive songs. Donations of pasta, adult and children’s clothes, toiletries, toys, educational books and materials were also made and gratefully received.
Our trip back was as uneventful as the trip out on Monday; though, it is certainly true to say that we were all cognisant of the poor conditions in which the adults and children we had visited live, how little they had in the way of possessions and the lack of quality of the infrastructure in which they live, work and learn, but how much care and loving support they are given by their immediate carers and the ‘Give of Happiness’ we hope we gave them during our all too short visit.
Our trip back was as uneventful as the trip out on Monday; though, it is certainly true to say that we were all cognisant of the poor conditions in which the adults and children we had visited live, how little they had in the way of possessions and the lack of quality of the infrastructure in which they live, work and learn, but how much care and loving support they are given by their immediate carers and the ‘Give of Happiness’ we hope we gave them during our all too short visit.
This is where we experienced probably the most appreciative of all our audiences.
Check-out the pictures!
Project Volunteers: Mr. Eddie Haworth, Clown Eckie Corporation & Founder/Director GoHF. - The honorable ex-British military serviceman Mr. Terry Sherwood, Bangkok. - International School Principal and Teacher Mr. & Mrs. Martin & Ailsa Kneath.
All photos by Mr. Martin Kneath.
Paid staff: Driver Khun Prajak
Sponsors: (Warehouse/office rent, Transport and some project costs) - Clown Eckie Corporation - The Commercial Company of Siam Ltd (Eurofood) - Exo Travel Bangkok - Monroe Consulting group, Bangkok
We know there's lots of people who believe in what we are doing, but we still get very few essential cash donations through our donate button or by bank transfer.
This is where you can really make a difference by simply giving whatever you can afford to help us keep giving so much happiness to the poor!
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GOODS 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>> |
Transfer money from anywhere on this planet.
Send a bank transfer via ATM or Android to: Account Name: Gift of Happiness Foundation Address: Kasikorn Bank PCL. Branch, BIG-C Rama 4, Bangkok. 10110. Account No: 7702101594. Account Type: Savings. Sort Code: 0004. Outside Thailand. Swift Code: KASITHBK |
