Happiness and Joy for Poor Children in Mae Sot this Christmas!
Thank you to our sponsors for this project:
Wanneroo Rotary Club, Perth W. Australia | Santa Fe Relocation's, Bangkok |
Report written by Gift of Happiness Foundation volunteer Mrs. Yvonne Ziegler, Bangkok.
17th December 2012, Monday
We left Bangkok at 11.30, with our 2 vehicles absolutely laden with donations of boxes of very heavy tools, surgical instruments, and many striped bags of toys and clothing. Arriving in Mae Sot just after 6pm, we were ready for dinner and keen to get underway with the Projects tomorrow. There’s always an air of anticipation on that first evening!
We left Bangkok at 11.30, with our 2 vehicles absolutely laden with donations of boxes of very heavy tools, surgical instruments, and many striped bags of toys and clothing. Arriving in Mae Sot just after 6pm, we were ready for dinner and keen to get underway with the Projects tomorrow. There’s always an air of anticipation on that first evening!
18th December 2012, Tuesday
9am, we set off for Sky Blue Learning Centre, where our founder, Eddie Haworth is an old friend now, and the children gathered outside to greet us, we were there to hand out the 165 sets of new School Uniforms, donated by Wanneroo Rotary Club, and there was much fun and laughter as the children scrambled to don their new clothes on top of their old ones. They must have been so hot! Outside again for more photos and farewells, but not before a washing machine was promised to take care of all the extra washing which is done by the school.
Donated Hoe’s and Machetes (Thank you Chillington Tools) were handed over to the teachers care, to be used by the school and distributed to parents involved in agriculture and farming. The teachers were also very proud to receive the smart black Chillington Shirts!
Later we went to meet our latest Gift of Happiness Volunteer – Khun Kit. He and his lovely wife, Mae, live in Mae Sot, and are keen to help us in any way possible. K Kit will be able to provide on the spot assistance with his vehicle, language skills and strong hands which he can turn to the multitude of tasks required.
Early afternoon it was off to BHSOHY (Boarding School for Orphans and Helpless Youths), a well established school of 300 children, run on Christian principles, where some Seniors go on to special Migrant Colleges of Higher Education. Even with good funding and organisation the school population still has to struggle with the hot weather, ongoing health problems and the less than ideal home living conditions of their charges, so extra help is always needed.
Eddie, wearing his Clown Eckie hat, put on a marvellous show, and soon had the kids of all ages hooting with laughter, and the older boys and girls grinning in appreciation.
Then it was off to buy that washing machine for Sky Blue School, thanks to K Kit who has local knowledge of all the suppliers. Successful negotiations ensured we got a good price, and he arranged to collect it in the morning.
Phew! Back to Poonnagunn Hotel for us, and a review of the day, downloading and discussion of photographs taken, and an exchange of all the titbits we had learned during the day. Dinner and a good sleep!
9am, we set off for Sky Blue Learning Centre, where our founder, Eddie Haworth is an old friend now, and the children gathered outside to greet us, we were there to hand out the 165 sets of new School Uniforms, donated by Wanneroo Rotary Club, and there was much fun and laughter as the children scrambled to don their new clothes on top of their old ones. They must have been so hot! Outside again for more photos and farewells, but not before a washing machine was promised to take care of all the extra washing which is done by the school.
Donated Hoe’s and Machetes (Thank you Chillington Tools) were handed over to the teachers care, to be used by the school and distributed to parents involved in agriculture and farming. The teachers were also very proud to receive the smart black Chillington Shirts!
Later we went to meet our latest Gift of Happiness Volunteer – Khun Kit. He and his lovely wife, Mae, live in Mae Sot, and are keen to help us in any way possible. K Kit will be able to provide on the spot assistance with his vehicle, language skills and strong hands which he can turn to the multitude of tasks required.
Early afternoon it was off to BHSOHY (Boarding School for Orphans and Helpless Youths), a well established school of 300 children, run on Christian principles, where some Seniors go on to special Migrant Colleges of Higher Education. Even with good funding and organisation the school population still has to struggle with the hot weather, ongoing health problems and the less than ideal home living conditions of their charges, so extra help is always needed.
Eddie, wearing his Clown Eckie hat, put on a marvellous show, and soon had the kids of all ages hooting with laughter, and the older boys and girls grinning in appreciation.
Then it was off to buy that washing machine for Sky Blue School, thanks to K Kit who has local knowledge of all the suppliers. Successful negotiations ensured we got a good price, and he arranged to collect it in the morning.
Phew! Back to Poonnagunn Hotel for us, and a review of the day, downloading and discussion of photographs taken, and an exchange of all the titbits we had learned during the day. Dinner and a good sleep!
This months Gift of Happiness Foundation visit to Mae Tao Clinic, Mae Sot
19th December 2012 Wednesday
We had a delayed start as our friend and General Manager Mrs. Eh Thwa at Mae Tao Clinic had only arrived back from Bangkok at 3.30 that morning, and we found her at 9.30 already surrounded by the organised chaos of the Clinic – outpatients, baby check up day, and dozens of people watching, waiting and all relieved to be there.
Eager hands unpacked the surgical equipment and supplies, more boxes of tools, and Jean’s lovingly knitted teddy bears, which I took great delight in handing out to the mum’s of the smallest babies.
After that we went to Champion Learning Centre, a small school of 90 children, which was established by a Burmese Doctor who knows the value of education for the next generation. The children are shown the good values of a clean workplace, a vegetable garden and good water to drink. We left heaps of toys and Eckie the Clown did a wonderful performance in the limited space available (the veranda outside the classrooms!). Once again the staff and students were appreciative and the children and Staff were in peals of laughter and the ‘’Volunteers’’ chosen by the Clown, took part in good spirit.
We had a delayed start as our friend and General Manager Mrs. Eh Thwa at Mae Tao Clinic had only arrived back from Bangkok at 3.30 that morning, and we found her at 9.30 already surrounded by the organised chaos of the Clinic – outpatients, baby check up day, and dozens of people watching, waiting and all relieved to be there.
Eager hands unpacked the surgical equipment and supplies, more boxes of tools, and Jean’s lovingly knitted teddy bears, which I took great delight in handing out to the mum’s of the smallest babies.
After that we went to Champion Learning Centre, a small school of 90 children, which was established by a Burmese Doctor who knows the value of education for the next generation. The children are shown the good values of a clean workplace, a vegetable garden and good water to drink. We left heaps of toys and Eckie the Clown did a wonderful performance in the limited space available (the veranda outside the classrooms!). Once again the staff and students were appreciative and the children and Staff were in peals of laughter and the ‘’Volunteers’’ chosen by the Clown, took part in good spirit.
Time to go to the Garbage Dump!
Off to Sky Blue Learning Centre to deliver the washing machine, collected by volunteer K Kit. He is also arranging for it to be welded into position, so it cannot be "relocated’’ at a later date. We do have to be careful with expensive equipment!
While there, Eddie decided to try and find a child that we believed to be at home on the Rubbish Dump itself. Last time we saw him he was very sick and weak. A kind teacher accompanied us on the journey of 10 minutes to the Dump and it was like entering another world, the living conditions, the SMELL of the garbage, the state of the people working there, was a sad sight to behold.
Eddie immediately decided that this location MUST be in our sights for the next visit North – to provide rice, cooking oil and high protein food, at least. Luckily, the boy who we came to see was recovering and now able to hold-down food and drink, and back at the learning centre again. But this side trip had hardened our founders resolve to provide happiness and laughter to the children of the Dump who go to Sky Blue Learning Centre. They deserve every diversion that can be supplied to them. We were both very touched by the experience, and feel grateful that we are in a position to do something, even in the short term, for these lovely people who are surviving such horrific living conditions.
While there, Eddie decided to try and find a child that we believed to be at home on the Rubbish Dump itself. Last time we saw him he was very sick and weak. A kind teacher accompanied us on the journey of 10 minutes to the Dump and it was like entering another world, the living conditions, the SMELL of the garbage, the state of the people working there, was a sad sight to behold.
Eddie immediately decided that this location MUST be in our sights for the next visit North – to provide rice, cooking oil and high protein food, at least. Luckily, the boy who we came to see was recovering and now able to hold-down food and drink, and back at the learning centre again. But this side trip had hardened our founders resolve to provide happiness and laughter to the children of the Dump who go to Sky Blue Learning Centre. They deserve every diversion that can be supplied to them. We were both very touched by the experience, and feel grateful that we are in a position to do something, even in the short term, for these lovely people who are surviving such horrific living conditions.
An afternoon of fun giving toys and Scorpion bites!
Our visit to Sao Kha Han Sar Primary School for Migrant Children
We pressed on with our day, when we visited Sao Kha Han Sar Primary School which is well established and secure on the outside. We discovered that power was not supplied for the 135 children and 4 teachers, but a generator had been promised, to be installed "some time". A number of NGO’s have been responsible for the school buildings (very practical bamboo walls, metal girders to elevate the floor, bamboo shutters), IRC has installed new toilets and water tanks, and a VSO from UK was helping with the installation and proper syllabus for the kindergarten children.
But even before we could get unpacked a young girl came hobbling in, she had just stepped on a scorpion – the teacher explained that they had no First Aid equipment, and so had strapped an onion to the bite, to draw out the poison – our Volunteer, K Kit took her straight to the Mae Tao Clinic where they dressed the wound and gave her 3 injections. Ouch! We saved her a pink teddy bear, and she returned to School before we left.
But even before we could get unpacked a young girl came hobbling in, she had just stepped on a scorpion – the teacher explained that they had no First Aid equipment, and so had strapped an onion to the bite, to draw out the poison – our Volunteer, K Kit took her straight to the Mae Tao Clinic where they dressed the wound and gave her 3 injections. Ouch! We saved her a pink teddy bear, and she returned to School before we left.
Gift of Happiness go back to AGAPE Orphanage
20th December 2012, Thursday.
I thought I had seen it all, but on Thursday morning we called on Agape School to deliver donated toys, clothes and tools. The children were all gathered waiting for us, and they waved and cheered on seeing Eddie, a familiar friend. And then, at a signal from Father David, they all burst into song, accompanied by their leaders on guitars. All 300 hundred children. I was moved beyond words at their enthusiasm and wonderful singing, and choked back tears!
After several choruses and action songs they watched the unloading of the goodies we had brought – but the smiles of the local volunteers was even broader as they unpacked the Tools, which for a farming culture, were like jewels, and will be cared for just as lovingly!
Then it was time to head for Bangkok, 7 hours and a million miles from the Border. We will be back next month with lots more Happiness and laughter, more much needed goods, more staple foods and more Volunteers! Bring it on!
I thought I had seen it all, but on Thursday morning we called on Agape School to deliver donated toys, clothes and tools. The children were all gathered waiting for us, and they waved and cheered on seeing Eddie, a familiar friend. And then, at a signal from Father David, they all burst into song, accompanied by their leaders on guitars. All 300 hundred children. I was moved beyond words at their enthusiasm and wonderful singing, and choked back tears!
After several choruses and action songs they watched the unloading of the goodies we had brought – but the smiles of the local volunteers was even broader as they unpacked the Tools, which for a farming culture, were like jewels, and will be cared for just as lovingly!
Then it was time to head for Bangkok, 7 hours and a million miles from the Border. We will be back next month with lots more Happiness and laughter, more much needed goods, more staple foods and more Volunteers! Bring it on!
Delivering Tons of Happiness throughout Thailand!
Gift of Happiness Foundation is a Registered Charity in the Kingdom of Thailand.
Registration number: Kor Tor 1914. VAT: 3-0337-6259-4.
A non profit organisation under the Royal patronage of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Dedicated to giving happiness and essential goods to poor children and families in Bangkok and throughout Thailand.
