LATEST NEWS!
Up-Dated 05/11/2012
Up-Dated 05/11/2012
We want you to know...Up-Dated 05/11/2012
We are now planning our next trip to Mae Sot again on December 17th
with a bus load of doctors and nurses
(Hospital personnel including Dr. Pripat from the Muang Samut hospital group)
to help at Mae Tao Clinic, Children living on the garbage dump and Agape Orphanage!
Please stay tuned to these Latest News articles for up-dates...
with a bus load of doctors and nurses
(Hospital personnel including Dr. Pripat from the Muang Samut hospital group)
to help at Mae Tao Clinic, Children living on the garbage dump and Agape Orphanage!
Please stay tuned to these Latest News articles for up-dates...
Report on our Mae Sot project 15 to 18 October 2012
Happiness in a basket for this child living on the garbage dump!
We just delivered loads of happiness and great clothing, toys medical supplies, new computers and other goodies for hundreds of children in and around Mae Sot, Thailand.
Thank you to all those wonderful people who have made this trip possible by giving generously at the recent WCT, Co, Ltd.com Scottish Comedy Night at the Rembrandt Hotel in Bangkok.
And another big thank you to all those great people who gave generously at the grand opening of Asia World Travel's new offices.
Another Great Big Thank You to Mulberry House International Pre-School, Rasami British International School,
Debbie Singh for computers and more, Khun Yak Pongsak for loaning his brand new truck, Srisuvit School for loaning their minivan,
Change Group Brighton UK and many other contributors to our recent appeal for clothing and goods.
Thank you to all those wonderful people who have made this trip possible by giving generously at the recent WCT, Co, Ltd.com Scottish Comedy Night at the Rembrandt Hotel in Bangkok.
And another big thank you to all those great people who gave generously at the grand opening of Asia World Travel's new offices.
Another Great Big Thank You to Mulberry House International Pre-School, Rasami British International School,
Debbie Singh for computers and more, Khun Yak Pongsak for loaning his brand new truck, Srisuvit School for loaning their minivan,
Change Group Brighton UK and many other contributors to our recent appeal for clothing and goods.
First stop Mae Tao Clinic to deliver essential medical supplies and a couple of computers.
Report by (Attending volunteer) Mrs. Gale Bailey.
After an early breakfast, the 15 volunteers in 3 vehicles set off to the Mae Tao Clinic to deliver medical supplies, two new computer brought from Australia by Mrs. Debbie Singh and toiletries to Mrs. Eh Thwa Bor who oversees the running of the Clinic and also baby clothes were given directly to the mothers in the maternity unit. This was an eye-opener for those who had not been before as very different to western maternity units however the mothers there are the lucky ones to have such a wonderful place as Mae Tao Clinic available to them. After a brief tour of the prosthetic department (we forget how many limbs are still being lost due to land mines) and operating room (I feel uncomfortable at times as would not want to be seen as a voyeur to those in need of medical assistance), we went to AGAPE Orphanage which is right near to a border checkpoint.
After an early breakfast, the 15 volunteers in 3 vehicles set off to the Mae Tao Clinic to deliver medical supplies, two new computer brought from Australia by Mrs. Debbie Singh and toiletries to Mrs. Eh Thwa Bor who oversees the running of the Clinic and also baby clothes were given directly to the mothers in the maternity unit. This was an eye-opener for those who had not been before as very different to western maternity units however the mothers there are the lucky ones to have such a wonderful place as Mae Tao Clinic available to them. After a brief tour of the prosthetic department (we forget how many limbs are still being lost due to land mines) and operating room (I feel uncomfortable at times as would not want to be seen as a voyeur to those in need of medical assistance), we went to AGAPE Orphanage which is right near to a border checkpoint.
Next stop - AGAPE Orphanage...
A crowd of happy children greeted our arrival and many bags of donated goods were delivered as well as some fabulous musical instruments including a keyboard, guitars and recorders donated by a volunteer who had been to the orphanage with GOH in September. The lovely Baptist minister, David Min Naing who runs the orphanage had arranged for the children to sing to us and I must admit being rather misty eyed as he sang and played his guitar along with them. It was a very special moment and the feel-good factor was on HIGH! Two lovely volunteer teachers, Polly and Bella from Srisuvit School in Pattaya performed a mime show which was well received by the children. After a zillion photos and lots of hugs and cuddles, we bade farewell and had an early lunch at the Ayiva Restaurant which is owned by Mr. Aiya Ekkanasing who runs One Dream One World school for street children.
Next stop - One Dream One World for Street Kids...
As Clown Eckie had performed here recently, the two girls put on another show which enraptured the children who were all wearing their Gift of Happiness tops. Donations of clothing and toys were left as well as elephants from the Bangkok British Women's Group Trunk Project which made for some very happy little ones and a great photo shot! We also checked out the samlor (Three wheeled vehicle) which had received essential maintenance, paid for by the some very generous volunteers who visited in September. This vehicle is used to collect the children each day to bring them to and take them from school.
We need to buy them a small pick-up truck? You can help here.
We need to buy them a small pick-up truck? You can help here.
Next stop - Irrawaddy Flower Garden Center...
We had to return to Mae Tao to collect our Karen guide who was to show us the way to the Irrawaddy Flower Garden School as Gift of Happiness Foundation had not visited before. This migrant school was founded in 2005 and has 178 children with 9 teachers. We had to delay the show until all the children had finished their exams but this gave Eddie time to set up for his clown performance. Whilst some of the younger children were waiting, Helen Bowen a teacher from Amnuay Silpa Bilingual School in Bangkok sang songs with visual movements to which they soon joined in, despite their limited English – music and mime crosses all boundaries! There was much laughter and squeals of delight when Clown Eckie appeared and this went on for the duration of the show after which donations of clothes, one more new computer brought from Australia by Mrs. Debbie Singh and toys were left.
Next stop - Pyi Chit Learning Centre...
Wednesday morning we had to collect our Karen guide again from Mae Tao clinic as we were going to another ‘new’ school – Pyi Chit which has 124 children and 7 teachers. Again the girls did their act which improved every time whilst Eddie set up. It is a very poor school but the children were given a lot of happiness especially when Clown Eckie appeared, laughter ensued until the last minute and delighted teachers were happy to distribute the donations of clothes and toys.
Next stop - Sky Blue School for kids living on the garbage dump...
After a delicious lunch of BBQ chicken, we made our way to the Sky Blue School which is situated right next door to a huge rubbish dump – where the children and parents scavenge for a living! We were well received and Helen once again did her magic with the children followed by the girls’ performance which received loud applause! Clown Eckie did his show which brought forth much laughter and merriment from the children and also some mothers and teachers who also watched. After the show, the children posed outside with the logos of the sponsors at the recent Scottish Comedy night organized by the Scottish Business Group in Bangkok. Some of the profits from that event had helped to sponsor this great day of giving happiness and also much needed clothing, one more new computer brought from Australia by Mrs. Debbie Singh and toys to those who have very little joy in their lives.
Last stop - Men's HIV/AIDS Health Centre...
Men's Health Centre for men with HIV/Aids
Before heading back to Bangkok, we shopped for food and supplies for the Men’s Health Centre (about 10-12 men live in a wooden hut as they have been ostracised due to them being HIV positive) They were happy to receive the gifts from the Gift of Happiness and gave us a cheery wave and smiled as we left for our return to the big metropolis – A whole world away from ‘up country’.
We did it because of all these wonderful volunteers and all the great sponsors who helped. Thank You All!
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.
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.
