Day One at Mae La Refugee Camp near Mae Sot - North Thailand/Burma Border.
(We are proud to have given gifts and happiness to almost 2000 children this week!)
This four day project in Mae Sot included visits to Mae La refugee Camp, Karen Handicap Welfare Association, Mae Tao Clinic, CDC High School for Migrant Children, Agapay Orphanage, One Dream One World shelter for Street Children and an HIV/AIDS Health Centre for men.
All these people are living in very poor or desperately poor situations. As usual, we used the Director’s own truck to transport donations and volunteers on this trip and we borrowed another truck from a good friend of the foundation.We spent the first day loading the two vehicles with donations and show equipment for the Clown Shows to be given at all locations. Then we drove the seven hour journey to Mae Sot and booked into the cheap but very comfortable Poonnagunn Hotel where we to spend the next three nights.
Monday 03/09/12:
After leaving Bangkok we arrived at the hotel to freshen-up and went to a local restaurant for dinner. Then relaxed back at the hotel until bedtime and an early start next day.
Tuesday 04/09/12:
We left the hotel early to go directly to Mae La refugee camp, (zone one). This is the biggest refugee camp in Thailand and has three zones with a current population of more than 50,000 refugees living in all three zones. We arrived there by about 10.00.am after negotiating three military check-points along the road. Upon our arrival at the camp we were not allowed past the gate until we were seen by the camp Commandant who needed to be sure that our papers were in order. He was satisfied with our credentials and finally allowed us into the camp about an hour later than we had planned. We unload all the warm clothing donations toys, other goodies and the show equipment ready for our first Clown Show that was held one of the many amp schools. Almost 700 children were in attendance for the performance and they all had a truly fantastic time seeing another side of what NGO people are capable of doing when they are not just walking round with clip-boards and serious looks on their faces? -- After the show we gave some great gifts of clothing and toys to the camp officials and some of the children. Then we were supposed to see the the blind amputee war veteran A Cappella singers who are housed near the school at the Karen Handicap Welfare Association shelter. But were unable to experience the planned treat of hearing their traditional songs because most of the group were attending the camp clinic for important medical treatment.
Lunch at a small place on the road to Mae Hong Son outside the camp.
Then we drove back to Mae Sot to drop-off some donated books for the volunteers and the children they support at our good friends organisation "Help Without Frontiers" and then into the City for some essential shopping ready for the next day.
We arrived back at the hotel after dinner at one of the many good local restaurants in Mae Sot. Then relaxed back at the hotel until bedtime.
Monday 03/09/12:
After leaving Bangkok we arrived at the hotel to freshen-up and went to a local restaurant for dinner. Then relaxed back at the hotel until bedtime and an early start next day.
Tuesday 04/09/12:
We left the hotel early to go directly to Mae La refugee camp, (zone one). This is the biggest refugee camp in Thailand and has three zones with a current population of more than 50,000 refugees living in all three zones. We arrived there by about 10.00.am after negotiating three military check-points along the road. Upon our arrival at the camp we were not allowed past the gate until we were seen by the camp Commandant who needed to be sure that our papers were in order. He was satisfied with our credentials and finally allowed us into the camp about an hour later than we had planned. We unload all the warm clothing donations toys, other goodies and the show equipment ready for our first Clown Show that was held one of the many amp schools. Almost 700 children were in attendance for the performance and they all had a truly fantastic time seeing another side of what NGO people are capable of doing when they are not just walking round with clip-boards and serious looks on their faces? -- After the show we gave some great gifts of clothing and toys to the camp officials and some of the children. Then we were supposed to see the the blind amputee war veteran A Cappella singers who are housed near the school at the Karen Handicap Welfare Association shelter. But were unable to experience the planned treat of hearing their traditional songs because most of the group were attending the camp clinic for important medical treatment.
Lunch at a small place on the road to Mae Hong Son outside the camp.
Then we drove back to Mae Sot to drop-off some donated books for the volunteers and the children they support at our good friends organisation "Help Without Frontiers" and then into the City for some essential shopping ready for the next day.
We arrived back at the hotel after dinner at one of the many good local restaurants in Mae Sot. Then relaxed back at the hotel until bedtime.
Street Kids Get Some Happiness and Goodies!
NEXT UP-DATE...Of our Mae Sot project at Migrant Schools, Agapay Orphanage, Mae Tao Clinic, Street Kids Shelter, Men's Health/HIV/Aids Centre and More coming very soon...
Stay Tuned to this News Page!
Stay Tuned to this News Page!
Gift of Happiness Foundation - A non profit organisation under the Royal patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Dedicated to helping poor children in Bangkok and throughout Thailand.
A registered charity in the Kingdom of Thailand Registration number: Kor Tor 1914 -- VAT: 3-0337-6259-4 We still need funding for this important delivery of essential goods.
Dedicated to helping poor children in Bangkok and throughout Thailand.
A registered charity in the Kingdom of Thailand Registration number: Kor Tor 1914 -- VAT: 3-0337-6259-4 We still need funding for this important delivery of essential goods.
We are planning to go there again very soon...With your help we can do much more!
Donate with confidence knowing that every penny goes to the poor people in Thailand.
Donate in your currency on-line PayPal, direct transfer or cheque.
Donate in your currency on-line PayPal, direct transfer or cheque.
