Great news for the kids of the dump and hundreds more local kids.
07/08/14.
| A small team of Gift of Happiness Foundation volunteers visited the massive garbage dump again at Samut Prakan near Bangkok. The visit followed an aid and show giving project bringing happiness and books to hundreds of children at the local Wat Paek Ka Sar School, with more than 2,000 students in attendance. Most of the children living on the dump attend the school while their parents are hard at work raking through the garbage for anything that can be recycled. "While we were at the dump, we were introduced to the latest resident, who was born just a few days before our visit". |  New Baby on the Garbage Dump Born Aug 2014 |
"It's amazing how they keep things so clean whilst living right on one of the biggest dumps in S.E.Asia"
Ⓒ All pictures GOHF -Si Balmer
We plan to revisit the site in a few weeks when we hope to have collected more baby clothes and equipment for the new born and other babies on site.
Happy visit to Wat Paek Ka Sar school วัดแพรกกะษา
Not just a show for the kids?
We took a second truck full of educational books to help the children study English and Thai long after the show is over.
With more than 2,000 children attending this school, we arranged with the head teacher to give this show to the infants and junior aged children which still numbered 900 plus. We also arranged another visit to give shows and more goodies to the older students when we re-visit the school later for an end of term party later this year.
We took a second truck full of educational books to help the children study English and Thai long after the show is over.
With more than 2,000 children attending this school, we arranged with the head teacher to give this show to the infants and junior aged children which still numbered 900 plus. We also arranged another visit to give shows and more goodies to the older students when we re-visit the school later for an end of term party later this year.
GIFT OF HAPPINESS FOUNDATION VOLUNTEERS REPORT
VISIT TO WAT PRAEKSA SCHOOL, SAMUT PRAKARN - 7 AUGUST, 2014
On the south-eastern edge of greater Bangkok, in Samut Prakarn province, lies one of Southeast Asia’s largest garbage dumps, Praeksa. Only a few months ago part of this dump spontaneously burst into flames and burned for several days, causing health risks and great inconvenience to people living nearby. The dump is surrounded by shanty communities whose denizens often earn a living on and off the dump.
Wat Praeksa School is a very large school near to this dump and its student body comprises many children from the communities surrounding it. In all, the school has around 2,000 students, from kindergarten to high school level.
On 7 August, the Gift of Happiness Foundation made a visit to the school to put on a show by Clown Eckie for about half the students (the younger half), and to make a donation of Thai and English language books – both text-books, language learning books and those for general reading. The Gift of Happiness delegation comprised founder and director Eddie Haworth (aka Clown Eckie), photographer Simon Balmer, Foundation part-time assistant Khun Amarin, and volunteer Gary White.
We were met by the school head and teachers, some of whom helped us set up (sound system etc), and the show commenced at 12.30 sharp, before an audience of eagerly awaiting young children. The squeals of delight and joy as the show progressed, especially during the giant red balloon segment, astounded us all – not least Clown Eckie, who stood on stage with a grin from ear to ear as the kids strained to propel the giant balloon around the covered school-yard.
On the south-eastern edge of greater Bangkok, in Samut Prakarn province, lies one of Southeast Asia’s largest garbage dumps, Praeksa. Only a few months ago part of this dump spontaneously burst into flames and burned for several days, causing health risks and great inconvenience to people living nearby. The dump is surrounded by shanty communities whose denizens often earn a living on and off the dump.
Wat Praeksa School is a very large school near to this dump and its student body comprises many children from the communities surrounding it. In all, the school has around 2,000 students, from kindergarten to high school level.
On 7 August, the Gift of Happiness Foundation made a visit to the school to put on a show by Clown Eckie for about half the students (the younger half), and to make a donation of Thai and English language books – both text-books, language learning books and those for general reading. The Gift of Happiness delegation comprised founder and director Eddie Haworth (aka Clown Eckie), photographer Simon Balmer, Foundation part-time assistant Khun Amarin, and volunteer Gary White.
We were met by the school head and teachers, some of whom helped us set up (sound system etc), and the show commenced at 12.30 sharp, before an audience of eagerly awaiting young children. The squeals of delight and joy as the show progressed, especially during the giant red balloon segment, astounded us all – not least Clown Eckie, who stood on stage with a grin from ear to ear as the kids strained to propel the giant balloon around the covered school-yard.
 | After the show the books were handed over to the school and ice cream, provided by an anonymous donor via the Foundation, was provided for the young children. It was eagerly slurped up to the very last cone – I know, because I think I handed out the very last cone (didn't even get to try one myself!). |
We then proceeded to the edge of the dump to inspect one community there.
It is planned in the future to return to both the school and the garbage dump community to put on a show for the older students and to provide some donations on goods to the families living there.
Report written by Gary White – 9th August, 2014.
It is planned in the future to return to both the school and the garbage dump community to put on a show for the older students and to provide some donations on goods to the families living there.
Report written by Gary White – 9th August, 2014.
THANK YOU ANONYMOUS DONOR!
We were delighted to receive an anonymous donation into our charity account following the appeal for help to buy ice creams for kids at the school. We made sure they all had the treat after the big show. "But they didn't leave any for us volunteers"!
We were delighted to receive an anonymous donation into our charity account following the appeal for help to buy ice creams for kids at the school. We made sure they all had the treat after the big show. "But they didn't leave any for us volunteers"!
"We try to give ice creams every month when we visit orphanages,
poor communities and needy kids all over Thailand".
With your help, we can continue our monthly aid giving projects to help the children.
See how you can make a difference by giving used goods and whatever else you can afford.
See how you can make a difference by giving used goods and whatever else you can afford.
