MAE SOT REVISITED – GIFT OF HAPPINESS FOUNDATION
When traveling up country to perform shows and distribute donations, Eddie Howarth has much to organise and this time there were more of us than usual! We congregated at the Dusit Thani for a photo in front of Clown Eckie’s famous yellow tuk tuk before heading off to meet up with Eddie and David Sanderson at a service station en route. Mae Sot is over 500 km and although most of the roads are good, traveling around the mountains is better done in daylight as some of the bends are quite hairy! We arrived at the Poonagunn Hotel in Mae Sot where I had stayed before and I was pleased to find that the doors had glass in them this time however it was not so cold as on my last trip! After beer o’clock and dinner, we had a reasonably early night as it was going to be a full few days ahead.
After an early breakfast, we set off to collect some donations which Eddie and David had brought up to Mae Sot earlier in the year but which they had not had time to deliver. An extra pick-up truck had been hired as we loaded them up with mosquito nets, clothes etc. We were hoping to go to the Umpien Mai camp (the one which incurred a huge fire in February) however this was not possible but we had been allowed access into Mae La Camp with the assistance of Mrs Eh Thwa Bor from Mao Tao Clinic. Delivering the donations to where they were required was rather hazardous as there are no proper roads so we were thankful it was not raining as possibly would not have made it. We were directed to a large hall where a bible class was being held as it was the 63 anniversary of the uprising in Burma. Eddie had to prepare for his clown show so we helped sorting the donations – mosquito nets (some from BWG), clothes, wheelchairs, toiletries etc. plus about 50 colourful scarves which had been knitted by Debbie Singh’s mother in Perth, W.A. Whilst this was all going on, Frank and Aom played ‘animal’ music and encouraged children (plus some of our volunteers!) to join in, pretending to be horses, chickens and elephants, of course! They really enjoyed it following which the clown show was well received by the children and adults alike – much laughter and merriment all round.
Afterwards, we were escorted to the handicap centre where we had taken wheelchairs and T shirts for the men who were all blind and had lost limbs in landmine explosions. We were not prepared for the reception we received as we sat down whilst they stood and sang to us, harmonising beautifully. I dare not look around as I was hardly able to breathe to stop myself from crying such was the earnest way the men sang to us. It was simply wonderful and afterwards, it seems everyone felt the same – very blessed to have witnessed to such a performance which none of us will ever forget. After long and lingering farewells, we made our way back into town for beer o’clock near to the border check point. It was so amusing to see the incredibly high-stacked trucks going back and forth. Fortunately there was a post office so I sat and wrote cards for the prisoners – always try to fill my time in the best possible way!
Next day another early start when we went to visit Mae Tao Clinic, the newborns being a draw and where I was able to give out woollen tops and babygrows knitted and donated by my friend Jean Altshuler who lives in Sydney. These were well received and a few of us did a few pants for a lady whose baby was imminent – quite happy it was her and not us in that predicament! Mae Tao clinic is a wonderful place for border people who have very little money as no one is turned away and the Burmese Children’s Medical Fund whose stalwart supporter, Kanchana Thornton, we were also privileged to meet, helps with those more seriously ill by transporting them to Chiang Mai for specialist treatment. The people involved are wonderful, devoted and totally selfless in their aim to help improve the lives of under-privileged people. We delivered mosquito nets, baby clothes and medical equipment (donated by Australian friends of Yvonne Ziegler) – all gratefully received.
It is always hard to leave the clinic but Eddie had his work to do – giving happiness to those whose lives do not have much in them to make them smile. The first stop before lunch was at Sky Blue School which is next door to a rubbish dump and where the families scavenge to make a living. We were joined by Jim Pollard, Journalist Extraordinaire from The Nation and Steve Sandford, a photographer from Chiang Mai. What a fun show this was as Frank and Aom did their dancing with the children whilst Eddie was preparing to be Clown Eckie. This took a bit longer so we all had a ‘coughing’ session which the children thought was hilarious – all these farangs with bad coughs! Eddie’s show brought forth much laughter, again children and adults alike and culminated with the distribution of soft toys to all the smaller children, maybe the only one they will ever receive! After lunch, it was off to find the next venue, a school for migrant children who were eagerly awaiting the entourage. There were no donations for this school but judging by the laughter and delight they were very happy children and teachers.
We visited a fabulous restaurant Khaomao-Khaofang in the evening, very exclusive, fantastic setting, delicious food and not expensive – such is the joy of living in Thailand and discovering such places.
The final morning, we had the last of the donation of children’s clothes to take to One Dream, One World school which is for street kids in Mae Sot. This was obviously a very poor school and the clothes were well received as well as the ice-creams which we bought for all the children. This school is supported by a wonderful Burmese man and his Thai wife who run a restaurant in the town centre – thank goodness for such people.
After a quick lunch, we started our return journey but we were slowed down due to torrential rain which made the tight bends rather scary especially passing a few accidents en route! We stopped for a final meal together where we all agreed it had been a fantastic experience. Well done Eddie Haworth and the Gift of Happiness Foundation - so aptly named!
After an early breakfast, we set off to collect some donations which Eddie and David had brought up to Mae Sot earlier in the year but which they had not had time to deliver. An extra pick-up truck had been hired as we loaded them up with mosquito nets, clothes etc. We were hoping to go to the Umpien Mai camp (the one which incurred a huge fire in February) however this was not possible but we had been allowed access into Mae La Camp with the assistance of Mrs Eh Thwa Bor from Mao Tao Clinic. Delivering the donations to where they were required was rather hazardous as there are no proper roads so we were thankful it was not raining as possibly would not have made it. We were directed to a large hall where a bible class was being held as it was the 63 anniversary of the uprising in Burma. Eddie had to prepare for his clown show so we helped sorting the donations – mosquito nets (some from BWG), clothes, wheelchairs, toiletries etc. plus about 50 colourful scarves which had been knitted by Debbie Singh’s mother in Perth, W.A. Whilst this was all going on, Frank and Aom played ‘animal’ music and encouraged children (plus some of our volunteers!) to join in, pretending to be horses, chickens and elephants, of course! They really enjoyed it following which the clown show was well received by the children and adults alike – much laughter and merriment all round.
Afterwards, we were escorted to the handicap centre where we had taken wheelchairs and T shirts for the men who were all blind and had lost limbs in landmine explosions. We were not prepared for the reception we received as we sat down whilst they stood and sang to us, harmonising beautifully. I dare not look around as I was hardly able to breathe to stop myself from crying such was the earnest way the men sang to us. It was simply wonderful and afterwards, it seems everyone felt the same – very blessed to have witnessed to such a performance which none of us will ever forget. After long and lingering farewells, we made our way back into town for beer o’clock near to the border check point. It was so amusing to see the incredibly high-stacked trucks going back and forth. Fortunately there was a post office so I sat and wrote cards for the prisoners – always try to fill my time in the best possible way!
Next day another early start when we went to visit Mae Tao Clinic, the newborns being a draw and where I was able to give out woollen tops and babygrows knitted and donated by my friend Jean Altshuler who lives in Sydney. These were well received and a few of us did a few pants for a lady whose baby was imminent – quite happy it was her and not us in that predicament! Mae Tao clinic is a wonderful place for border people who have very little money as no one is turned away and the Burmese Children’s Medical Fund whose stalwart supporter, Kanchana Thornton, we were also privileged to meet, helps with those more seriously ill by transporting them to Chiang Mai for specialist treatment. The people involved are wonderful, devoted and totally selfless in their aim to help improve the lives of under-privileged people. We delivered mosquito nets, baby clothes and medical equipment (donated by Australian friends of Yvonne Ziegler) – all gratefully received.
It is always hard to leave the clinic but Eddie had his work to do – giving happiness to those whose lives do not have much in them to make them smile. The first stop before lunch was at Sky Blue School which is next door to a rubbish dump and where the families scavenge to make a living. We were joined by Jim Pollard, Journalist Extraordinaire from The Nation and Steve Sandford, a photographer from Chiang Mai. What a fun show this was as Frank and Aom did their dancing with the children whilst Eddie was preparing to be Clown Eckie. This took a bit longer so we all had a ‘coughing’ session which the children thought was hilarious – all these farangs with bad coughs! Eddie’s show brought forth much laughter, again children and adults alike and culminated with the distribution of soft toys to all the smaller children, maybe the only one they will ever receive! After lunch, it was off to find the next venue, a school for migrant children who were eagerly awaiting the entourage. There were no donations for this school but judging by the laughter and delight they were very happy children and teachers.
We visited a fabulous restaurant Khaomao-Khaofang in the evening, very exclusive, fantastic setting, delicious food and not expensive – such is the joy of living in Thailand and discovering such places.
The final morning, we had the last of the donation of children’s clothes to take to One Dream, One World school which is for street kids in Mae Sot. This was obviously a very poor school and the clothes were well received as well as the ice-creams which we bought for all the children. This school is supported by a wonderful Burmese man and his Thai wife who run a restaurant in the town centre – thank goodness for such people.
After a quick lunch, we started our return journey but we were slowed down due to torrential rain which made the tight bends rather scary especially passing a few accidents en route! We stopped for a final meal together where we all agreed it had been a fantastic experience. Well done Eddie Haworth and the Gift of Happiness Foundation - so aptly named!
We will give a great gift of happiness to to well over 1000 people next week!
This show and donation tour is planned to entertain and give happy clown shows and important goods to 731 children and teachers at five poor schools and communities in Mahasarakarm near Roi Et in N.E. Thailand.
We will also be giving much needed clothing and other goods to many more of the parents of those children.Part of the funding for this trip has already been donated to our registered charity account, but we are still in need of further help to cover costs of vehicle hire, drivers, accommodation, etc.
This show and donation tour is planned to entertain and give happy clown shows and important goods to 731 children and teachers at five poor schools and communities in Mahasarakarm near Roi Et in N.E. Thailand.
We will also be giving much needed clothing and other goods to many more of the parents of those children.Part of the funding for this trip has already been donated to our registered charity account, but we are still in need of further help to cover costs of vehicle hire, drivers, accommodation, etc.
Please consider helping us to pay for this important project.
Donate in most currencies on-line, direct transfer or cheque: http://www.gohappiness.org/donate.html
Thank you - Edward Haworth. Founder/Director - Gift of Happiness Foundation
Further information Contact Us
Donate in most currencies on-line, direct transfer or cheque: http://www.gohappiness.org/donate.html
Thank you - Edward Haworth. Founder/Director - Gift of Happiness Foundation
Further information Contact Us
Stay tuned to our next projects:
1. We need to buy 40 new sets of socks, shoes & trousers for the children at our school in Samut Songkram and some new pupils at our school in Ayutthaya. "You can help here".
2. Visit to five poor communities and schools in the area of Maha Sarakham near Roi Et in North East Thailand. We need to hire another truck and pay for drivers, fuel & accommodation for this four day project.
"Please donate for this cause".
1. We need to buy 40 new sets of socks, shoes & trousers for the children at our school in Samut Songkram and some new pupils at our school in Ayutthaya. "You can help here".
2. Visit to five poor communities and schools in the area of Maha Sarakham near Roi Et in North East Thailand. We need to hire another truck and pay for drivers, fuel & accommodation for this four day project.
"Please donate for this cause".
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.
