Here are our volunteers project reports and some great pictures following the recent show & aid giving tour for around 1,500 needy children living near Sangkhlaburi, Northern Thailand. We gave two large truck loads of clothing, toys, educational equipment and 200 new school uniforms at two of the five very poor migrant community schools and one safe house for children at risk.
Places we gave all this happiness:
Places we gave all this happiness:
- Children of the Forest Free School.
- La Salle Foundation - preparation class, kindergarten and primary school.
- Pailan Japan Village School, nursery and primary school.
- Gu Bow Village School - approx 60 children, nursery and primary.
- Children at risk in the community group.
These pictures tell a great story of happiness given to a few hundred children in Northern Thailand
Copyright all images: Si Balmer Images & Gift of Happiness Foundation
The uniforms were sponsored by our great friends Len Penn Music Academy, Bangkok and The St. Georges Society of Bangkok. Other donations came from students at Harrow International School, Traill International School, The British Women's Group, Bangkok and many individuals who gave used clothing and other goods.
We had the support of two great volunteers from Belgium, a British entertainer and a British cameraman. Our wonderful guide and organizer was Mr. Andy Lillicrap from One Sky Foundation. The Gift of Happiness Foundation Director gave the main shows and his own truck to transport some of the goods and people on the 8 hour drive each way to this remote part of Thailand. Our second truck was loaned to us by another great friend and supporter, Mr. Anukorn Puvacharoen of jirakorn.com. We employed our great friend and regular volunteer Mr. Amarin Nissasoka to drive the second truck and help with loading around two tons of goodies for the children. Thank you all for your kind support!
We had the support of two great volunteers from Belgium, a British entertainer and a British cameraman. Our wonderful guide and organizer was Mr. Andy Lillicrap from One Sky Foundation. The Gift of Happiness Foundation Director gave the main shows and his own truck to transport some of the goods and people on the 8 hour drive each way to this remote part of Thailand. Our second truck was loaned to us by another great friend and supporter, Mr. Anukorn Puvacharoen of jirakorn.com. We employed our great friend and regular volunteer Mr. Amarin Nissasoka to drive the second truck and help with loading around two tons of goodies for the children. Thank you all for your kind support!
Volunteer, Sophie Archer's project report.
Volunteer, Sophie Archer's project report...
Mission of Happiness to Sangkhlaburi.
On the 11th November 2013 we loaded the Gift of Happiness convoy and departed Bangkok, heading west towards Sangkhlaburi. What began as a wide, concrete highway, gradually altered to the wet tarmac of mountain road. The fresh jungle air was a welcome change to the humid smog of the busy city. Twisting round the picturesque lakes and viewing the veils of mist that clung to the towering trees, I was truly astounded by the beauty of this relatively untouched region.
Early the next morning we arrived at the first school, which was a series of well constructed bamboo huts and a bauxite coloured football pitch among neatly lined rubber trees. On meeting the Principal he informed us that the children were eagerly waiting for us. They were sat in ordered rows, quiet and disciplined, in a hut that appeared larger than the others. This must have been the equivalent of an English assembly hall. I proceeded to put on a large red and yellow spotted shirt that I had been requested to wear for the duration of my 'juggling act', which was to entertain the children in the time that Eddie needed to prepare. At first the children were quiet, but the noise grew with the increasing curiosity that the act brought and before long children were keen to get involved. After half an hour or so, Eddie appeared in his carefully selected clown outfit. One that is not typical of the Americanised image of today's modern clown, but still possessing the characteristic features of large buttons and over-sized shoes. Children at first giggled with little bursts of guilty laughter and as the show progressed this transformed into waves of uncontrollable delight. The teachers gave us bottles of chilled water at the back, as watching Eddie swelter is thirsty work. The show ended with a big round of applause and the children brought their hands together in gratitude before they were dismissed and broke out into playful frenzy.
We departed to smiles of joy in the happiness wagon and promised to return again next year.
Mission of Happiness to Sangkhlaburi.
On the 11th November 2013 we loaded the Gift of Happiness convoy and departed Bangkok, heading west towards Sangkhlaburi. What began as a wide, concrete highway, gradually altered to the wet tarmac of mountain road. The fresh jungle air was a welcome change to the humid smog of the busy city. Twisting round the picturesque lakes and viewing the veils of mist that clung to the towering trees, I was truly astounded by the beauty of this relatively untouched region.
Early the next morning we arrived at the first school, which was a series of well constructed bamboo huts and a bauxite coloured football pitch among neatly lined rubber trees. On meeting the Principal he informed us that the children were eagerly waiting for us. They were sat in ordered rows, quiet and disciplined, in a hut that appeared larger than the others. This must have been the equivalent of an English assembly hall. I proceeded to put on a large red and yellow spotted shirt that I had been requested to wear for the duration of my 'juggling act', which was to entertain the children in the time that Eddie needed to prepare. At first the children were quiet, but the noise grew with the increasing curiosity that the act brought and before long children were keen to get involved. After half an hour or so, Eddie appeared in his carefully selected clown outfit. One that is not typical of the Americanised image of today's modern clown, but still possessing the characteristic features of large buttons and over-sized shoes. Children at first giggled with little bursts of guilty laughter and as the show progressed this transformed into waves of uncontrollable delight. The teachers gave us bottles of chilled water at the back, as watching Eddie swelter is thirsty work. The show ended with a big round of applause and the children brought their hands together in gratitude before they were dismissed and broke out into playful frenzy.
We departed to smiles of joy in the happiness wagon and promised to return again next year.
Copyright all images: Si Balmer Images & Gift of Happiness Foundation
Further down the road we entered through the gateway of the next school which hung the heartfelt sign 'no child left behind'. This school, at the foot of a majestic, misted mountain, appeared to have well-used resources and appeared idyllic. The bamboo classrooms arranged in a circle around a larger, sheltered assembly hall had bushes of blooming, colourful wild flowers. Some of the children cried with happiness and excitement when sighting the orange van and ran wildly towards it. I got out and immediately two small girls seized my hands with their little fingers and pulled me round, proudly showing me the sights. We had come at lunchtime and boys were playing football among the clouds of dust they were kicking up with their feet, girls were twirling hula-hoops around their waists and others played joyfully around. We were going to perform in the main central hut, however the elements had other plans as the heavens opened . A torrential downpour, comparable with that of an actual shower, although it was actually warmer than our hotel showers. The idea of the central hall had to be abandoned due to the inadequate sheltering above, however there was no doubt that the show would go on. We swiftly moved all sodden equipment to a smaller dual-roofed hut that was separated by a small set of stairs. The Principal ordered the movement of a series of benches and older boys ran promptly to obey. Children from surrounding schools arrived in mini trucks to join the fun and they just kept coming and coming. There was fear that they would not be able to see the show from the distance of the back but as the show continued they crept further and further forward. The back rows giggling and laughed away just as much as the front. When the show was over it was home-time for the little ones and they bound out like excited ants from all exits,. All faces beamed with smiles and the children radiated gratitude, bowing thankfully on passing. A group of little girls raced up to me and handed me some unusual scarlet blooms, a long white candle and fragrant incense sticks bound with white cotton thread.
The third school's facilities were sparse in comparison to the two that we had visited previously. Two large huts on the main site, with concrete floors and little else apart from the odd stick of furniture. The children were divided between the buildings by age. They were beginning the dawn of a new school day, taking it in turns to chant something which bounced back and forth like a volley at Wimbledon. The pupils were dressed smartly in white cotton shirts and red sarongs that went below the knee. The children here were much more reserved and on passing bowed their heads, refusing to give eye contact in order to convey their respect to their visitors. A little further down a bordering path lay a nursery and a safe-house which shelters women and children from endangering and troubled backgrounds. The pre-show entertainment had widened to consist of juggling, skipping and a cup and ball, which after a little encouragement the children were keen to participate in with Geoffrey and myself. Following the show we dispensed little candies, a handful each, which the children were exceptionally grateful for and while they were chomping away their new school uniforms of blue shirts and black trousers were dispensed. They tore off the polythene in excitement and quickly pulled them over their cotton shirts to display them with pride.
We penetrated the outskirts of the jungle to reach the next school, which was down a dirt track, separated from the huts of the Mon people. The jungle was intermingled with ordered rows of rubber trees which had been tapped and the sticky sap was running into hung black bowls. The residences were shacks constructed with bamboo, scrap tin and timber. The sturdier ones constructed with concrete blocks. The floors of the forest were awash with refuse plastic and food packets, bearing the logos of western companies. It was saddening. The school had three buildings, a nursery, a classroom for the older children and some outbuildings containing toilets. We were instructed to set up next to the nursery which was situated on lower ground under the canopies of some adjacent trees, the bases of which were crawling with large red ants. I was warned that the ants bite and spray corrosive acid into the wounds, bringing intense burning pains for the sufferer. Will be avoiding those. The children here were also incredibly shy and reserved. Even with the encouragement of participation they were reluctant to approach, bar a few who had no such issues. The little children gathered on the laid out woven mats for the show, whilst some of the older women sat on a wooden bench at the back. They chuckled away for the duration and a little while into the show it become apparent that word had broken out amongst the villagers as a small truck pulled up with fresh spectators. One of which was a father, holding a little boy in his arms. After a while he was laughing harder than the children. Following the well show, we once again gave candies and uniforms which were received with joy.
The fifth show was not to a school, but to a shelter that provides protection and comfort to children and young women who are deemed 'at risk' from various appalling activities such as trafficking. Every soul with a sad tale. The children arrived, bursting with enthusiasm and keenly jumped into the entertainment that Geoffrey and I were providing. They lapped up every second of the Eddie Eckie Show with joy and afterwards tucked into a meal of noodles. One little girl, who was crowned 'the Queen of the nursery' toddled up to me with her plate and bade me to feed her. One of the workers remarked 'she wants to be your friend.' A huge treasure trove of toys were given to the shelter, which were in turn to be dispensed to other establishments in need in the local area. Each child left with a toy and later I was told by a local worker that he had never seen the children laugh so much before.
So concludes our journey to the wild west region of Sangkhlaburi. The iridescence of happiness was brought to many small children, who will cherish the experience for years to come. I feel truly honoured to have been enabled to take part in a project as wonderful as 'The Gift of Happiness', and would like to thank Edward Haworth with the deepest of gratitude from the bottom of my heart.
The third school's facilities were sparse in comparison to the two that we had visited previously. Two large huts on the main site, with concrete floors and little else apart from the odd stick of furniture. The children were divided between the buildings by age. They were beginning the dawn of a new school day, taking it in turns to chant something which bounced back and forth like a volley at Wimbledon. The pupils were dressed smartly in white cotton shirts and red sarongs that went below the knee. The children here were much more reserved and on passing bowed their heads, refusing to give eye contact in order to convey their respect to their visitors. A little further down a bordering path lay a nursery and a safe-house which shelters women and children from endangering and troubled backgrounds. The pre-show entertainment had widened to consist of juggling, skipping and a cup and ball, which after a little encouragement the children were keen to participate in with Geoffrey and myself. Following the show we dispensed little candies, a handful each, which the children were exceptionally grateful for and while they were chomping away their new school uniforms of blue shirts and black trousers were dispensed. They tore off the polythene in excitement and quickly pulled them over their cotton shirts to display them with pride.
We penetrated the outskirts of the jungle to reach the next school, which was down a dirt track, separated from the huts of the Mon people. The jungle was intermingled with ordered rows of rubber trees which had been tapped and the sticky sap was running into hung black bowls. The residences were shacks constructed with bamboo, scrap tin and timber. The sturdier ones constructed with concrete blocks. The floors of the forest were awash with refuse plastic and food packets, bearing the logos of western companies. It was saddening. The school had three buildings, a nursery, a classroom for the older children and some outbuildings containing toilets. We were instructed to set up next to the nursery which was situated on lower ground under the canopies of some adjacent trees, the bases of which were crawling with large red ants. I was warned that the ants bite and spray corrosive acid into the wounds, bringing intense burning pains for the sufferer. Will be avoiding those. The children here were also incredibly shy and reserved. Even with the encouragement of participation they were reluctant to approach, bar a few who had no such issues. The little children gathered on the laid out woven mats for the show, whilst some of the older women sat on a wooden bench at the back. They chuckled away for the duration and a little while into the show it become apparent that word had broken out amongst the villagers as a small truck pulled up with fresh spectators. One of which was a father, holding a little boy in his arms. After a while he was laughing harder than the children. Following the well show, we once again gave candies and uniforms which were received with joy.
The fifth show was not to a school, but to a shelter that provides protection and comfort to children and young women who are deemed 'at risk' from various appalling activities such as trafficking. Every soul with a sad tale. The children arrived, bursting with enthusiasm and keenly jumped into the entertainment that Geoffrey and I were providing. They lapped up every second of the Eddie Eckie Show with joy and afterwards tucked into a meal of noodles. One little girl, who was crowned 'the Queen of the nursery' toddled up to me with her plate and bade me to feed her. One of the workers remarked 'she wants to be your friend.' A huge treasure trove of toys were given to the shelter, which were in turn to be dispensed to other establishments in need in the local area. Each child left with a toy and later I was told by a local worker that he had never seen the children laugh so much before.
So concludes our journey to the wild west region of Sangkhlaburi. The iridescence of happiness was brought to many small children, who will cherish the experience for years to come. I feel truly honoured to have been enabled to take part in a project as wonderful as 'The Gift of Happiness', and would like to thank Edward Haworth with the deepest of gratitude from the bottom of my heart.
Project report in French & English by Geoffrey, one of our Belgian volunteers. HERE
Project report by our new friend from England, now living in Sangkhlaburi, Andy Lillycrap. HERE
Project report by Andy Lillicrap, One Sky Foundation
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