Visit to (Temple) Wat Both Worakit orphanage, Thailand - Friday 26 August 2011
Gift of Happiness Foundation Operations Director, Eddie Haworth and volunteer, Amarin Nissasoka delivered a truck-load of rice, tinned fish, high protein noodle based meals and toiletries. These goods were donated by members of the British Women’s Group in Bangkok and friends of the foundation who gave money to buy more food on the way to the orphanage. Donations of educational equipment and more rice were given by two families during the same day. Eddie’s truck load of food and the other donations will help feed the children for about one week. Eddie and Amarin also visited the Wat School and interviewed the head teacher. She said the school is not funded by government or NGO's and is dependant on the Wat and donations from local people for all the school’s running costs. Eddie stayed at the school until finishing time and brought some of the children back to the orphanage in his truck.
Gift of Happiness Foundation Operations Director, Eddie Haworth and volunteer, Amarin Nissasoka delivered a truck-load of rice, tinned fish, high protein noodle based meals and toiletries. These goods were donated by members of the British Women’s Group in Bangkok and friends of the foundation who gave money to buy more food on the way to the orphanage. Donations of educational equipment and more rice were given by two families during the same day. Eddie’s truck load of food and the other donations will help feed the children for about one week. Eddie and Amarin also visited the Wat School and interviewed the head teacher. She said the school is not funded by government or NGO's and is dependant on the Wat and donations from local people for all the school’s running costs. Eddie stayed at the school until finishing time and brought some of the children back to the orphanage in his truck.
Information about the Wat…
The Abbot of the Wat is currently hospitalised with an age related illness and was unable to meet Eddie. Therefore, a one hour interview took place with the Abbot’s assistant when Eddie tried to ascertain just how much help they need and why this orphanage is having problems to feed and take good care of the children.
Why are they so needy now...
The monk revealed that the orphanage has been struggling to maintain a safe level of care for the children over the past couple of years. This is partly due to the general economic down-turn in Thailand since political unrest and “Red Shirt” demonstrations caused many businesses to cut back on their traditional giving to the orphanage. He also revealed that the much respected Abbot has been unable to raise funds over the last few years, due to his old age. The monks who take care of the orphanage don’t have the same fundraising skills as the old Abbot.
The number of residents at the orphanage has increased in recent years to four hundred children. This is partly because of crack-downs on some parents who may have been involved in drugs or other criminal activities. Most of the innocent children have lost their parents to imprisonment or death and have ended-up at the orphanage after being left to fend for themselves. There are also another hundred day-care children who rely on the orphanage to feed and educate them. These children live with surviving family members who are working in local factories but are not earning enough to properly support the children beyond giving them shelter.
Most needed assistance…
Eddie asked the monk for a list of most needed goods?
1. The answer came very quickly…FOOD!
2. Toiletries, toothpaste, brushes, soap and towels.
3. Educational equipment – pencils, crayons, writing pads, school bags.
4. Children’s underwear from two years up-to teenage – children’s shoes - Other children’s clothing is also useful.
They currently have enough food in-store to last about two weeks and hope to get more donations from small charities like Gift of Happiness Foundation, local businesses and individuals who can afford to continue helping them.
What we will do with your help…
Gift of Happiness Foundation has agreed to try and help these children by collecting more food and essential goods that can be delivered on 09 September when Eddie returns from another hand-over of donations (Mosquito nets & medical supplies) for Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot on the 8th September.
Eddie has negotiated a good price for the next load of rice with a trader whose business is situated about 3 kilometres from the orphanage. (1,050 Baht - $35.00 USD per 50 kilos) Other food stuff can be bought in bulk from wholesale suppliers and clothing can also be purchased in bulk at the best possible price from suppliers in China Town, Bangkok. The children need fresh food as well...Eddie can also buy this in the town near to the orphanage (Eggs, chicken, fish, milk).
How you can help…
If you want to supply goods yourself, you can drop-off at our office (Address here: “Contact Page”) or ask Eddie to collect from your home or office in Bangkok. Donations of money can be made by Credit Card/PayPal, - Direct Transfer – Cheque. Please visit our “Donate Page”.
Important note…
Gift of Happiness Foundation has no corporate sponsors and is entirely dependant on donations from the public and friends of the foundation. No one gets paid for their work at the foundation and every penny that you donate will be used for the sole purpose of helping the children that we serve.
Any questions? Ask Eddie, here: [email protected]
Please Donate
The Abbot of the Wat is currently hospitalised with an age related illness and was unable to meet Eddie. Therefore, a one hour interview took place with the Abbot’s assistant when Eddie tried to ascertain just how much help they need and why this orphanage is having problems to feed and take good care of the children.
Why are they so needy now...
The monk revealed that the orphanage has been struggling to maintain a safe level of care for the children over the past couple of years. This is partly due to the general economic down-turn in Thailand since political unrest and “Red Shirt” demonstrations caused many businesses to cut back on their traditional giving to the orphanage. He also revealed that the much respected Abbot has been unable to raise funds over the last few years, due to his old age. The monks who take care of the orphanage don’t have the same fundraising skills as the old Abbot.
The number of residents at the orphanage has increased in recent years to four hundred children. This is partly because of crack-downs on some parents who may have been involved in drugs or other criminal activities. Most of the innocent children have lost their parents to imprisonment or death and have ended-up at the orphanage after being left to fend for themselves. There are also another hundred day-care children who rely on the orphanage to feed and educate them. These children live with surviving family members who are working in local factories but are not earning enough to properly support the children beyond giving them shelter.
Most needed assistance…
Eddie asked the monk for a list of most needed goods?
1. The answer came very quickly…FOOD!
2. Toiletries, toothpaste, brushes, soap and towels.
3. Educational equipment – pencils, crayons, writing pads, school bags.
4. Children’s underwear from two years up-to teenage – children’s shoes - Other children’s clothing is also useful.
They currently have enough food in-store to last about two weeks and hope to get more donations from small charities like Gift of Happiness Foundation, local businesses and individuals who can afford to continue helping them.
What we will do with your help…
Gift of Happiness Foundation has agreed to try and help these children by collecting more food and essential goods that can be delivered on 09 September when Eddie returns from another hand-over of donations (Mosquito nets & medical supplies) for Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot on the 8th September.
Eddie has negotiated a good price for the next load of rice with a trader whose business is situated about 3 kilometres from the orphanage. (1,050 Baht - $35.00 USD per 50 kilos) Other food stuff can be bought in bulk from wholesale suppliers and clothing can also be purchased in bulk at the best possible price from suppliers in China Town, Bangkok. The children need fresh food as well...Eddie can also buy this in the town near to the orphanage (Eggs, chicken, fish, milk).
How you can help…
If you want to supply goods yourself, you can drop-off at our office (Address here: “Contact Page”) or ask Eddie to collect from your home or office in Bangkok. Donations of money can be made by Credit Card/PayPal, - Direct Transfer – Cheque. Please visit our “Donate Page”.
Important note…
Gift of Happiness Foundation has no corporate sponsors and is entirely dependant on donations from the public and friends of the foundation. No one gets paid for their work at the foundation and every penny that you donate will be used for the sole purpose of helping the children that we serve.
Any questions? Ask Eddie, here: [email protected]
Please Donate
