We are proud to publish this report from one of our volunteers
who helped on our last project in Mae Sot, Thailand.
Mrs. Jan Davies and Husband Oscar...
who helped on our last project in Mae Sot, Thailand.
Mrs. Jan Davies and Husband Oscar...
AGAPE Birthday Party 2012.
I’ve recently had the opportunity to visit the Agape Orphanage and Learning Centre in Mae Sot on a couple of occasions with the Gift of Happiness Foundation and my husband Oscar has heard so much about them he said he’d love to come with us on the next trip. So when we heard Agape was holding its annual birthday party for over 300 children on 27th October we decided it was something we just couldn’t miss. David, the Headmaster, greeted us when we arrived at 10:30 and the children were already full of smiles and there was great excitement and expectation in the air. Balloons were hanging everywhere, party frocks and flip flops were donned and as the music started playing the dancing and laughter began - we even had a little break dancer showing us his best moves!
Teachers from one of the local schools helped organise the games. I joined the 12 year olds and we had fantastic fun with team games - the old orange under the chin, rubber bands passed along the line on straws, a ping pong ball on a spoon held between the teeth - and a new one to me, a candle tied around the waist on string had to be dangled into a bottle – really squatty! Followed by singing and more dancing, and we’d brought bubbles along with us for the kids to blow and Oscar entertained with a couple of tricks his Grandpa had taught him.
And with everyone hot and bothered the ice cream arrived right on time.
Agape has 8 large fish tanks and the fish – catfish – had been kept in a well while the new tanks were prepared. David had promised the kids they could swim in the tanks before the fish were transferred and he was true to his word. The children leapt in - surprising the toads which had already taken up residence. They were so excited (the kids, not the toads!) and splashed so hard we all got absolutely soaked – I’m surprised there was enough water left in the tanks! Then the human chain formed and the catfish were hauled out of the well in buckets and dropped into their new home.
Shower time - while the kids were cleaning up and changing the volunteers laid out the tables with presents and birthday cake. And the lanterns were painted with wishes and hopes and prayers before release into the starlit sky. It was fantastic to see 300 children wearing their bright sunshine yellow t-shirts saying ‘It’s My Birthday’. Places taken – time for piñata!! A few near misses followed by a great hitter taking two out of three in one shot! Total chaos while the kids rushed to collect the sweets - even the chicken had to run for cover.
And then after the birthday songs the ceremonial candles were lit. And one or two of the little ones where so exhausted after a day of great excitement they literally fell asleep at the table. And sadly we had to say goodbye and leave the celebrations. And how humbled we felt to be able to join their celebrations and to experience the joy and happiness and hope and laughter and fun and love and the gift David brings to this wonderful orphanage which truly needs all our help and support. We will never forget the smiles on the faces of these beautiful children and are privileged to have had the opportunity to share their special day. Particularly special to us as the 27th is also our wedding anniversary – 31 years. This is a bond we will have for ever. Please help The Gift of Happiness Foundation and support David’s fantastic work at Agape.
I’ve recently had the opportunity to visit the Agape Orphanage and Learning Centre in Mae Sot on a couple of occasions with the Gift of Happiness Foundation and my husband Oscar has heard so much about them he said he’d love to come with us on the next trip. So when we heard Agape was holding its annual birthday party for over 300 children on 27th October we decided it was something we just couldn’t miss. David, the Headmaster, greeted us when we arrived at 10:30 and the children were already full of smiles and there was great excitement and expectation in the air. Balloons were hanging everywhere, party frocks and flip flops were donned and as the music started playing the dancing and laughter began - we even had a little break dancer showing us his best moves!
Teachers from one of the local schools helped organise the games. I joined the 12 year olds and we had fantastic fun with team games - the old orange under the chin, rubber bands passed along the line on straws, a ping pong ball on a spoon held between the teeth - and a new one to me, a candle tied around the waist on string had to be dangled into a bottle – really squatty! Followed by singing and more dancing, and we’d brought bubbles along with us for the kids to blow and Oscar entertained with a couple of tricks his Grandpa had taught him.
And with everyone hot and bothered the ice cream arrived right on time.
Agape has 8 large fish tanks and the fish – catfish – had been kept in a well while the new tanks were prepared. David had promised the kids they could swim in the tanks before the fish were transferred and he was true to his word. The children leapt in - surprising the toads which had already taken up residence. They were so excited (the kids, not the toads!) and splashed so hard we all got absolutely soaked – I’m surprised there was enough water left in the tanks! Then the human chain formed and the catfish were hauled out of the well in buckets and dropped into their new home.
Shower time - while the kids were cleaning up and changing the volunteers laid out the tables with presents and birthday cake. And the lanterns were painted with wishes and hopes and prayers before release into the starlit sky. It was fantastic to see 300 children wearing their bright sunshine yellow t-shirts saying ‘It’s My Birthday’. Places taken – time for piñata!! A few near misses followed by a great hitter taking two out of three in one shot! Total chaos while the kids rushed to collect the sweets - even the chicken had to run for cover.
And then after the birthday songs the ceremonial candles were lit. And one or two of the little ones where so exhausted after a day of great excitement they literally fell asleep at the table. And sadly we had to say goodbye and leave the celebrations. And how humbled we felt to be able to join their celebrations and to experience the joy and happiness and hope and laughter and fun and love and the gift David brings to this wonderful orphanage which truly needs all our help and support. We will never forget the smiles on the faces of these beautiful children and are privileged to have had the opportunity to share their special day. Particularly special to us as the 27th is also our wedding anniversary – 31 years. This is a bond we will have for ever. Please help The Gift of Happiness Foundation and support David’s fantastic work at Agape.
Quite Simply - We make children happy!
We are a small but very effective and properly registered charity in Thailand.
Our aim is to help some of the people who are often overlooked by some of the larger NGO's and non-registered or non-accountable groups that exist in this country.
If you need any further information about how to help the children that we regularly serve in Thailand. Please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Gift of Happiness Foundation Registration number: Kor Tor 1914 - VAT: 3-0337-6259-4.
If you need any further information about how to help the children that we regularly serve in Thailand. Please contact us and we will be happy to help.
Gift of Happiness Foundation Registration number: Kor Tor 1914 - VAT: 3-0337-6259-4.
