Just one of the hundreds of children that we gave more happiness to on this project
Project report and pictures - Mae Sot 18th to 21st February 2013
By Gift of Happiness Foundation volunteer, Mrs. Yvonne Ziegler.
I, once again, felt very privileged to join Edward Haworth and Amarin on a two vehicle journey north to deliver donations of clothing, toys and, more importantly, laughter and fun to children in Ayutthaya and outlying areas of Mae Sot.
We left, on time, at 10am on Monday, for our first stop – Watsammakan School in Ayutthaya. We delivered lots of toys and clothing donated by Bromsgrove International Early Years School, and treated the children to ice-creams all round, as it was lunch time and the Ice Cream truck just happened to be parked outside!
The Headmaster explained that thanks to favorable reporting on the Gift of Happiness website, other organisations had come forward to help the School, and that recently external painting, and construction of a music room and a new toilet block had begun. He is so proud of his students and school, and took us to see the Computer Room still containing all the computers and air conditioning that Gift of happiness gave last year and the year before. We also toured other areas of the school which were all well-tended and obviously used to advantage. (Thank you for your support, Wanneroo Rotary Club)
Pressing on to the highways, with a couple of stops for fuel and refreshment, we reached Mae Sot at 6pm, with lots of people looking and pointing at our wonderfully colourful, newly “wrapped’’ truck, along the way! Now it was time for a well-earned dinner and rest before the big day to come.
By Gift of Happiness Foundation volunteer, Mrs. Yvonne Ziegler.
I, once again, felt very privileged to join Edward Haworth and Amarin on a two vehicle journey north to deliver donations of clothing, toys and, more importantly, laughter and fun to children in Ayutthaya and outlying areas of Mae Sot.
We left, on time, at 10am on Monday, for our first stop – Watsammakan School in Ayutthaya. We delivered lots of toys and clothing donated by Bromsgrove International Early Years School, and treated the children to ice-creams all round, as it was lunch time and the Ice Cream truck just happened to be parked outside!
The Headmaster explained that thanks to favorable reporting on the Gift of Happiness website, other organisations had come forward to help the School, and that recently external painting, and construction of a music room and a new toilet block had begun. He is so proud of his students and school, and took us to see the Computer Room still containing all the computers and air conditioning that Gift of happiness gave last year and the year before. We also toured other areas of the school which were all well-tended and obviously used to advantage. (Thank you for your support, Wanneroo Rotary Club)
Pressing on to the highways, with a couple of stops for fuel and refreshment, we reached Mae Sot at 6pm, with lots of people looking and pointing at our wonderfully colourful, newly “wrapped’’ truck, along the way! Now it was time for a well-earned dinner and rest before the big day to come.
New design for Gift of Happiness truck - Sponsored by Clown Eckie and AustCham Thailand.
First stop on Tuesday was to Mae Tao Clinic where we met Simon, the new Deputy Director of Operations there. We dropped off medical and toiletry supplies and more clothing – thank you to Bromsgrove School and others. I paid a quick visit to the Burma Childrens Medical Fund (BCMF) office, in a new location on the Clinic compound. Always a warm welcome from Kanchana and her team, and she showed me progress reports and future scheduling intended for their clients. Another chat with NaitOo, Board Member of the Migrant Education Office (ME), to clarify school matters and then we were off to Sky Blue.
Sky Blue School is a favourite of mine; the children are always industriously occupied when we arrive, and all know Edward Haworth, even without the Clown Eckie persona. Those kids are so lucky to be in such a caring and safe environment. Our visit today was to talk to the Headmaster about funding the School Rental for the next two years (Thanks to St Andrews Society); we needed to know about the Lease and other practicalities before handing over the Donation to anyone.
In the afternoon, we went to Maepatai School, which has 150 pupils, both Thai and Karen children, all neatly uniformed and full of anticipation for a Clown Show. I just love the way that the anticipation turns rapidly from laughter, disbelief, wonderment, and more peals of laughter as the Clown Eckie performance progresses! Afterwards donated snacks were handed out, and teachers took charge of the toys, clothing and educational equipment (very useful puzzles, books, stationery, pens and pencils, and teachers’ aids) so that they could be divided fairly and appropriately.
Enough for one day! We repaired to the Poonaggunn Hotel to discuss the day and to plan for the next day.
Wednesday morning we went to CDTC (Children Development Training Centre). The school has 350 Burmese/Karen students – 220 of these are full time boarding students, and 21 teachers. The youngest ones (50) are housed and schooled further down the road, so we were met by the procession of little people carefully snaking along the road with teachers in attendance. Gradually the rest of the students came over to the Dining/Community area to wait for the fun to begin. I took the opportunity to take a look at the adjacent boarding ‘’house’’ – each tiled room housing 20 students. It looked quite new and was neat and tidy too!
Soon, with the generator going full bore, Clown Eckie arrived! Screams of laughter and apprehension as the biggest balloon was blown up and released, I really love it when the Older Students Volunteer to come and take part, and their reticent friends are delighted to see the performance unfold and the surprises in store for their “Volunteer’’ friend. It’s all so good humored, and everyone claps and cheers when he resumes his place. Everyone gave their sincere thanks at the end of the Show, and the students departed still smiling. Lots more clothing and toys were left here, and plans made to come again to bring new uniforms and other necessities – it is a really hard job for all concerned to provide EVERYTHING for 350 young people, all growing and with differing needs. Thanks must go to WMM (Women with a Mission) who have worked with the School for a long time providing very solid assistance, with capital costs, clothing, food, and moral support.
Moving on to Wednesday afternoon, we visited a Thai/Burmese/Karen School, not far from the morning venue – HwayKaLoke School (440 Students). The Assembly Hall was empty when we arrived, but was soon filledby orderly lines of uniformed students, the older boys and girls wearing Scout, Guide and Red Cross uniforms (one day of the week at all Thai Schools is taken up by wearing these uniforms, and undertaking associated activities). No matter the size or the state of the school, children and adults (yes, ALL the teachers!), and myself included, respond to Clown Eckie! Amarin does a warm-up with a microphone and jokes in Thai, until Clown Eckie is ready and then everyone shouts ‘’Clown Eckie’’, and the show begins! All I can say is – what a laugh! I laugh at the jokes, at the errors and omissions at times, the faces of the staff and children, I laugh at the sheer delight of long, hard laughing children. They all have an absolute ball! At the end of the Show it was home time, and the teachers (and commandeered children) were left to sort and carry toys, clothes and equipment back to the classroom for distribution.
Loads and loads of donations were distributed this trip, and loads more are needed for the next one. Clown Eckie deserves a medal for his stamina and determination to help these children, their parents and school staff, delivering so much more than goods, but real entertainment and HAPPINESS which endures after the show, judging by the welcomes he receives when returning to the same places time and time again. New venues are sourced all the time, and added to the list.
There are new moves afoot for the Migrant Children up in Mae Sot, with the ever changing Government and International arrangements. You can be sure that Gift Of Happiness and its Volunteers will be on hand to help with the smooth transitions and moral support and patience required over the next few years.
I just love being able to travel with Gift of Happiness, and I want to say a big thank you to Edward Haworth, aka Clown Eckie for making it possible. Hope to see you again soon.
Sky Blue School is a favourite of mine; the children are always industriously occupied when we arrive, and all know Edward Haworth, even without the Clown Eckie persona. Those kids are so lucky to be in such a caring and safe environment. Our visit today was to talk to the Headmaster about funding the School Rental for the next two years (Thanks to St Andrews Society); we needed to know about the Lease and other practicalities before handing over the Donation to anyone.
In the afternoon, we went to Maepatai School, which has 150 pupils, both Thai and Karen children, all neatly uniformed and full of anticipation for a Clown Show. I just love the way that the anticipation turns rapidly from laughter, disbelief, wonderment, and more peals of laughter as the Clown Eckie performance progresses! Afterwards donated snacks were handed out, and teachers took charge of the toys, clothing and educational equipment (very useful puzzles, books, stationery, pens and pencils, and teachers’ aids) so that they could be divided fairly and appropriately.
Enough for one day! We repaired to the Poonaggunn Hotel to discuss the day and to plan for the next day.
Wednesday morning we went to CDTC (Children Development Training Centre). The school has 350 Burmese/Karen students – 220 of these are full time boarding students, and 21 teachers. The youngest ones (50) are housed and schooled further down the road, so we were met by the procession of little people carefully snaking along the road with teachers in attendance. Gradually the rest of the students came over to the Dining/Community area to wait for the fun to begin. I took the opportunity to take a look at the adjacent boarding ‘’house’’ – each tiled room housing 20 students. It looked quite new and was neat and tidy too!
Soon, with the generator going full bore, Clown Eckie arrived! Screams of laughter and apprehension as the biggest balloon was blown up and released, I really love it when the Older Students Volunteer to come and take part, and their reticent friends are delighted to see the performance unfold and the surprises in store for their “Volunteer’’ friend. It’s all so good humored, and everyone claps and cheers when he resumes his place. Everyone gave their sincere thanks at the end of the Show, and the students departed still smiling. Lots more clothing and toys were left here, and plans made to come again to bring new uniforms and other necessities – it is a really hard job for all concerned to provide EVERYTHING for 350 young people, all growing and with differing needs. Thanks must go to WMM (Women with a Mission) who have worked with the School for a long time providing very solid assistance, with capital costs, clothing, food, and moral support.
Moving on to Wednesday afternoon, we visited a Thai/Burmese/Karen School, not far from the morning venue – HwayKaLoke School (440 Students). The Assembly Hall was empty when we arrived, but was soon filledby orderly lines of uniformed students, the older boys and girls wearing Scout, Guide and Red Cross uniforms (one day of the week at all Thai Schools is taken up by wearing these uniforms, and undertaking associated activities). No matter the size or the state of the school, children and adults (yes, ALL the teachers!), and myself included, respond to Clown Eckie! Amarin does a warm-up with a microphone and jokes in Thai, until Clown Eckie is ready and then everyone shouts ‘’Clown Eckie’’, and the show begins! All I can say is – what a laugh! I laugh at the jokes, at the errors and omissions at times, the faces of the staff and children, I laugh at the sheer delight of long, hard laughing children. They all have an absolute ball! At the end of the Show it was home time, and the teachers (and commandeered children) were left to sort and carry toys, clothes and equipment back to the classroom for distribution.
Loads and loads of donations were distributed this trip, and loads more are needed for the next one. Clown Eckie deserves a medal for his stamina and determination to help these children, their parents and school staff, delivering so much more than goods, but real entertainment and HAPPINESS which endures after the show, judging by the welcomes he receives when returning to the same places time and time again. New venues are sourced all the time, and added to the list.
There are new moves afoot for the Migrant Children up in Mae Sot, with the ever changing Government and International arrangements. You can be sure that Gift Of Happiness and its Volunteers will be on hand to help with the smooth transitions and moral support and patience required over the next few years.
I just love being able to travel with Gift of Happiness, and I want to say a big thank you to Edward Haworth, aka Clown Eckie for making it possible. Hope to see you again soon.
Pictures taken on this project
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
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
Our aim is to help some of the people who are often overlooked by some of the large NGO's and non-registered or non-accountable groups that exist in this country.
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