Friday 26 April 2013

The Crocodile Kids Football Club.

Today we paid a visit to the Pattaya Crocodile Kids Football Club in Jomtien, Pattaya.

The club run by volunteers meets at the Qatar Football Club and has recently been formed for local underprivileged kids. The kid range in age from 6-14 years and meet weekly at the club.

It is hoped to arrange competitions with other local kids football clubs and we have offered to meet the cost sixteen full football kits for the kids and the cost of some more footballs.

www.slum-kids.org







A shopping trip for a little girl.


This precious little girl, whilst wanting to choose some pretty new dresses for herself, wouldn't go along with Suky without her friend along - so she had two fashion advisers!

As you can see from the photographs she got a good deal for her birthday money sent to us by her sponsor, and then asked if the remainder could be spent on some dunking doughnuts to take home and share with her family and friends. As you can see, even the doughnuts she chose were pretty, so I'm sure she was very popular when she got home.

It's incredible how much more confident she's become than when we first met her - and when she smiles, she lights up the room.

www.slum-kids.org









Wednesday 17 April 2013

A visit from San Francisco based sponsor.


Yesterday San Francisco based sponsor Gilbert visited Pattaya to meet his sponsored student ‘Boss’ for the first time. Gilbert generously invited ‘Boss’s cousin ‘Toon’ along with Liz, Suky and Boonying who sported a very colourful shirt in the mood of Songkran (The Thail New Year).  The following report on the day is from Liz of MERCY……………

We had a good meeting with Gilbert yesterday. He's originally from Hong Kong but living in San Francisco, and although the Royal Garden idea seemed good when we made the plan, it didn't turn out well, really. Definitely not one for the books in future. Had we anticipated the downpour we had, we wouldn't have worried so much about trying to avoid getting soaked by the revellers, but there we are.
 


Toon's father brought the boys over to the office and we went over to the hotel to pick Gilbert up. Since it was also off Second Road, and the street was quiet at that time, we reached the Royal Garden Plaza without any problems and headed into KFC - which brought our first problem. Where were the plates and cutlery? Great consternation! You now get paper trays and plastic cutlery - AND they've added something extra to the batter mix. (The end of an era?) Boss ate heartily, but Gilbert was quite concerned about Toon, who wasn't showing any enthusiasm - although Suky hadn't had any dissent when she asked if they were happy to eat there. However, he had great fun when he went over to wash his hands and discovered it was automatic. Once Boss had shown him how to use it, he was tickled pink, and we could see him laughing away as he put his hands under the tap, then pulled them back, then put them under again and so on. He wasn't so amused with the automatic dryer though, but then are any of us? You'd have to wait until Christmas to get your hands properly dried under those things.
 

After we'd eaten we headed off upstairs Toon, less than enthusiastic, bringing up the rear. Suky knew about the games on offer and thought they'd be thrilled, but it didn't quite turn out that way. The boys were very apprehensive, not having seen anything like this before, but Suky took lots of time to explain how they worked, and eventually Boss agreed to go into the laser game with them. (You'll notice that we other brave adults joined Toon outside, and just watched.) However, it was over in a jiffy, and the entrance money allowed you to go to the (what I think we used to call the ghost train) train where you shoot the monsters with laser guns - as far as I could ascertain. However, Toon still wouldn't join in. We wondered if he was 'afraid of the dark unknown'. Boss was fine with Suky, but it wasn't until we got to the 4D cinema that Toon was persuaded to go in with Toon - and we all breathed a sigh of relief. We got to watch them on the screen outside, and they seemed to enjoy it, although whereas Boss gripped his seat very tightly as the motion built up, Toon just sat with his arms straight down in front of him. 
 

Since the haunted house and the infinity maze weren't a 'pull' either, we headed off to get ice cream at Swensons, Tesco Lotus. That was not a problem for either of the boys, and definitely not for us - great psychology, Gilbert! After enjoying a large cone with cream and a cherry, Toon perked up a little, although he was clearly not a happy camper. We finally came to the conclusion that he may have been told by his father that Boss may have to go back to his father (now out of prison), and since the boys have been together for many years he may have been quite devastated emotionally. However, that was just supposition on our part.

Gilbert had brought some school supplies and chocolate for the boys but asked if he could buy some food supplies for the family, so after ice cream Suky, Boonying and the boys did the grocery shopping, and Gilbert and I went off to try and find a supply of bubble mix, to take along to our Children's Home later. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful, but the boys had done much better and several bags of groceries were walked into the office, as Suky had asked dad to pick them up there so that she could speak with him about Toon's state of mind. The boys thanks Gilbert in the traditional way and waved happily as we drove off to introduce Gilbert to our children at Pong.
 

Gilbert had brought lots of small soft toys, fun school supplies, chocolates and crispy marshmallow treats over from the U.S., so as soon as we arrived several children descended upon him (or rather the bags), excitedly poking and prodding and looking up expectantly. After the introductions had been made Sharon gave permission for one toy and one marshmallow treat to be given to each child, and after storing the rest away for later, Sharon showed Gilbert on the computer the story of the house, from plans to the present. Having looked around and met the kids (all indoors having a snack since the rain had come down heavily) Gilbert said that what they needed was an inflatable swimming pool, so I think that's definitely in his mind for a future visit.
 

I do hope that he enjoyed his day, and that perhaps we'll have good news for him about Boss when I get to the office and see how Suky fared with Toon's father. Gilbert is a very pleasant and generous sponsor, and Boss was happy and responsive to him. I wouldn't like that to change for either of them.

Registered Charity No. 1104335
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.
 

Monday 15 April 2013

UK Sponsors visit Pattaya during Songkran



We've had a delightful trip out today with Steve and Dan, Palm and her little brother - and to the delight of the boys (and us, admittedly) the children were actually persuaded to have an ice cream cone at Swensons as we left Tesco Lotus at the end of their shopping trip.

The boys are always such a delight to be with, and the children, although shy, were 
clearly thrilled to see them again, especially as Dan has been learning Thai over the last year and managed to ask them how old they were - and elicit a reply!  Good lad, say I?


Lunch was taken in Maes Y Ruen and I managed not to spill the soup down me (quite a feat for me, I confess).  Everyone else was sensible and had 'dry' dishes - and we all thoroughly enjoyed them.  Being a holiday period the place was full, and as we left people were actually queuing up.  You don't often see that nowadays - a sign of the goodness of the food and the sensible prices.

Got, when we asked if there was something he'd like, said his mother had told him not to get toys, as he was too old for toys now.  Bless him, he's only 5 yrs old, so we 'got round' that by buying water pistols for Songkran. He also got some new clothes, of course - very nice red and white Ben 10 lace-ups, a Ben 10 green T-shirt, and denim pants with a Ben 10 logo on them.  When we picked the kids up they were both wearing bright green T-shirts, and when Got chose the flavour of his ice cream, he chose Green Tea, so we were teasing him about everything having to be green.
 

I think he'd have chosen a green water pistol if they'd had one, but they didn't.  However, he chose one that you wear as a little back pack, with a connecting pipeline - so he had a nice little reservoir of water - and very happy about it he was.

Since we recently learned that there's another sister living at home with them, and she's only 10 years, the boys very generously said that something could be bought for her as well, and we chose (with Palm's input) a pretty white T-shirt with a big pink flower on it, and a blue skirt - and a water pistol.  Well everyone has to be suitably armed, don't they?

Palm chose a blue skirt and blouse, some underwear, a pretty flowered, very feminine dress and some bronze coloured sandals and was delighted to find something nice to fit her.
 

When we took the children home the boys were so apologetic that they hadn't known about the other sister, and asked Suky to explain that next time they come, she must be included in the treat.  When she heard this her face lit up and she gave the boys a big smile and wave as we left.

Since the other children aren't scholarship students yet, Mum is coming into the office to see Suky next week to fill in the application forms and the boys, when they leave here are going up to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to experience some Thai culture at firsthand.
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.

Thursday 11 April 2013

Waterguns for the boys for Sonkran


Thomas came to the office at 11.00am and went along with Suky to pick up the boys from home.  They had apparently already eaten at home (because grandma had wanted them to), but when they got to Kiss restaurant, they were able to rustle up enough appetite to order fried rice (without vegetables).  As you can see in the photo's it did look pretty on the plate.

When asked what they would like they to have afterwards, they were full of Songkran and so asked for shirts and water cannons - very colourful, don't you think?  I think we can safely say that they were ready for some action!  Shopping then consisted of just groceries and things for the house.
 


It seems that grandma is constantly in pain because of a back problem and that that because there's a risk she wouldn't survive an operation, the decision was taken to provide her with a wheel chair and give her pain killers.  Unfortunately, they only give here paracetamol, which isn't anything like as strong as she needs.  However, when we asked what we could do to help, we learned that the family was already
expecting the Pattaya Mail to go over this weekend to highlight her case and hopefully pressure local authorities into doing something more.  We don't have any details as to what they're hoping for, but perhaps when the paper comes out...

So, two delighted little boys and a very generous and happy sponsor who also bought a Songkran shirt (which had to be purchased in a different store because there weren't any left for adults in Tesco Lotus). 

Now Suky and I need shirts for our foray onto the streets of Pattaya with Steve and Dan next week - and maybe some wellies and a water cannon, what do you think?

Well, boys will be boys...you never know, and we wouldn't want to be over dressed!
 
Registered Charity No. 1104335
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.

Wednesday 10 April 2013

Girls' day out

Suky took Pornapa shopping for the first time yesterday. As you can see, she's quite a tall girl so we were concerned that it might be difficult to find something in her size in our usual 'haunts'. However, being quite the young lady now, she was delighted to be able to find a feminine and fashionable dress, matching bag and wallet and very pretty sandals at Big C.



She is still quite a shy girl, but very pleasant and respectful, and clearly was thrilled to be given such a treat.

Earlier in the day Suky had also taken Shutipha out to spend her birthday money, and as you can see from the photographs she really enjoyed herself. We were surprised to find that she didn't go for the longer hemlines, so clearly she's much happier with herself since she's made the decision not to return to school with her sister.


She chose very fashionable outfits (like Pornapa, she's becoming a young lady) in lovely, summer colours and couldn't wait to get home to show them to her twin sister.

I think there's no doubt that this delightful child felt very disadvantaged in the public school system. Being the less robust (physically and subsequently emotionally) of the twins I think she probably suffered quite badly at the hands of insensitive children - and teachers, possibly. The schools don't cater to the less able, unfortunately.

She has told Suky that she wants to continue with her education at the weekends.

Registered Charity No. 1104335
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.

Sunday 7 April 2013

It works...it really does. (A sponsor's story)

It works... it really does.

Suchip's Story, From Photo Contest To Graduation

In 2008 on my first visit to speak with the folks on the ground for the Pattaya Street Kids Support Project (being the skeptic I can sometimes be) I was asked to judge a student photo contest. The kids had been told there would be an international photographer doing the critiques, and since I was from the USA - and happened to be handy - I was given the opportunity.


When I was taken to the school to present the modest award prizes and certificates I overheard the teacher of the short, quiet and painfully shy second runner-up "winner" tell my host that if there was nobody to sponsor Suchip that his schooling was finished, as his sister, who was barely an adult herself and was raising him alone, couldn't afford to get him through his final five years. Their mother had left them on their own some years before, and I've never heard much about the father other than he'd taken off when the kids were small.

Suchip stood silently with his head down, saying nothing, but I knew he'd heard his teacher, and if he'd been a turtle I suspect he'd have pulled completely into his shell.  I'd already agreed to school fees for one more student than I'd budgeted for, but what do you say to a child in a case like this?  "Sorry, kid... you'll just have to make ends meet however you can in life - I need those three extra Starbuck Mochas a month"?  I can be selfish, but hearing that about a child I just couldn't turn away. Through the translator I told the teacher "He'll be paid for. Please plan on him attending and keep him on the registration rolls."   


Move forward a couple of years now. Suchip was making an effort, but he was still struggling to keep up with academics in class. It wasn't any real surprise: without going into private family details he wasn't living in anything close to what you'd call a normal, healthy family environment, and it showed in his achievements at school.
When an opportunity for learning a trade became available he was steered into learning to be an electrician; an honorable trade in any country.  He worked hard, and did well, despite his home life, which had taken a turn for the better after his mother came back into the picture and helped turn them into more of a real family again.  

I was able to see him every year, and he soon came to accept me as his sponsor and began to open up, smile regularly and enjoy our times together. Those afternoons were wonderful, but even the birthdays and times I couldn't be there I enjoyed the pictures via email… always a treat.
After our outing and grocery run in 2012 his mother ran after me as I was getting into the car to leave. She'd knitted me a large, heavy scarf to wear because she'd heard it was cold in America. It was pink and white and quite bulky, but I thanked her and actually have worn it here at home a couple of times... just to enjoy the memory, if nothing else.    

I was also invited that afternoon to attend Suchip's graduation this year. Knowing better than to risk them losing face - even though I didn't think I'd be in Thailand at the time - I told them if I was in the country that I'd be there... just let me know when. I thought that got me out of the commitment, but on the visit this Spring I was reminded that it was coming up soon, although they didn't know exactly when.  

A little past 10:00 on the morning of the 21st of March my phone rang as I was sitting in my room in Bangkok after a morning walk. “Suchip's graduation is today at three in the afternoon here in Pattaya. Can you make it?" With the kind help of a friend at the charity in making some hasty plans I showered, put on the best dress clothes I'd brought along and headed out. The BTS took me to the Ekamai station, and from there it was only a block to the Eastern bus depot where luck was with me and I got one of the very last seats on a bus to Pattaya, arriving a bit after two o'clock.  Paying a licensed bandit in a taxi far too much I got to the charity offices at 2:30, and Tom got us to the ceremony with just minutes to spare.


Family and friends waited outside in groups for the graduates to come out, and I bought flowers for Suchip while I waited, just as his mother and sister had.  Finally, there he was: the shy boy who found it so hard to smile and could barely look the world in the eye standing there with a look of satisfaction and self-acknowledgement that made me think he might just burst at any moment.
Standing with his family and friends he held onto the folder containing his diploma as though it were a life preserver, and, in some ways it may well be just that. 14 years of schooling through a rough childhood and adolescence was quite an accomplishment for this boy who was now a man with a skill and hope for a good life ahead for himself, and, hopefully, his wife and children, if that's the path he chooses.  


For my part - which really amounted to nothing more than keeping in regular contact via PSKSP, a yearly transfer or minor funds and some great times together on outings - I was able to pat him on the back, tell him he'd done a good job and I was proud of his efforts, and see him smile and say "Thank you. Thank you so very much," before excusing himself to run off and join his fellow graduates, his gown flapping about behind him… and that was it. The Thai culture isn’t as weighted with greetings and farewells as we are in the West, so who knows? With luck I’ll hear from him again one way or another, but perhaps not. Either way, I have the satisfaction of knowing he’s at least starting his adult life on a somewhat smoother path, and that’s enough for me.


I've said it before, and I'll say it again here: we can't save the world, but we can save little pieces of it. I can personally vouch for one thing... it's well worth the effort, because it works... it really does.
Registered Charity No. 1104335
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.

Saturday 6 April 2013

A sponsor's birthday gift.

 
 
Suky managed to get in touch with Dad yesterday and he brought Intira over to the office so that she could spend her special shopping money with Suky at Big C.

As you can see from the photographs she was just so happy - two lovely little outfits, very demure (as befits a Muslim girl), although it took all of  Suky's persuasive powers to get Dad to see that the shoes (which she really wanted) were O.K. for her to wear to go to her Islamic studies. It's hard for him to see that his little girl is growing up and just wants to be fashionable. 
 
Registered Charity No. 1104335
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.

 

Tuesday 2 April 2013

A birthday treat for two sisters.




The parents of these children are separated, so they live with their grandparents.  Grandfather is handicapped and cannot work and grandmother has rheumatoid arthritis and is unable to walk.


They live in abject poverty in a small, airless concrete room with corrugated metal roofing and door.  When we first met them they were sleeping on a raised wooden platform covered with linoleum, with mosquito nets,.  Father sends 2,000B – 3,000 B per month, as he is able.  The girls were sometimes given leftover food from school – if there was any.


Now, thanks to the generosity of their sponsor new bedding has been bought for the girls and they are now on our monthly food drop program and the cost of their schooling is also met by their sponsor. Today Suky from MERCY took the two girls shopping for their birthdays with money generously sent to us by the girls sponsor.

Registered Charity No. 1104335
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.

Monday 1 April 2013

Gifts from an Australian sponsor



Eight year old Auarapan lives with her mother and older sister in a breeze block and G.I. sheeting house left behind after construction workers moved away.  There is one large family room and one bedroom (in which Mum and the girls sleep on a mattress with a mosquito net) and a bathroom/toilet area.  The floor is concrete, there are no windows, and cloth covers the cracks in the boarding.


Aurapan’s Australian sponsor decided to help improve things for the little girl and sent money for us to buy new clothes, shoes,  a bed and bedding which was delivered to her home today.
100 Years From Today
It will not matter how big your bank account was, the sort of house you lived in, or the kind of car you drove. But the world may be a little better because your help touched the life of one child.