Hi Everyone,
I'm writing this on a very muggy day.. it's been raining almost everyday this past week.. the rain gauge read 110mm for a 30 hour period the other day.. so lots of rain, lots of flooding.. rice fields washed away and wet kids on scooters completely drenched as they make their way home from school.
Since my last update I made a quick weekend visit east to House of Mercy Foundations third centre - the Khon Kaen HIV/Aids centre. Khon Kaen is a 3 hour drive east from Phetchabun through the Nao Nao National park (very green and lush.. with elephant crossing signs everywhere). This centre is designed solely for the care of children with HIV or full blown Aids. It currently cares for 40 kids in a building that is now at full capacity. I have to say this visit was definitely the most confronting. The kids were amazing.. so welcoming.. hugs as soon as you walk through the gates.. I played twister and a couple of other games with them when I first arrived and they were just beautiful kids, beautiful smiles and beautiful laughs. While the kids went on playing I got speaking to Wendy, an Australian volunteer who has been helping here for the past 5 years. Wendy works with Dtim (the Thai director) supporting her to run the centre. Wendy tells some shocking and amazing stories of how the kids came to be with Ban Meata. One of the boys Art had this written in his profile
"Art is very affectionate and loves to meet new people.. he loves books and he likes nothing better than to cuddle up to a new friend to read to him. Art came to Ban Meata when he was 15 months old. Art's parents died of an AIDs related disease. His blind grandmother tried to care for him but it was impossible. Friends of his grandmother brought him to Ban Meata"
This is just one of 40 stories.. heartbreaking stories and I shake my head everytime I read it.. What these kids have had to go through.. I can't begin to understand all that goes on inside their little heads..
I made it home (Phetchbun) and was greeted by the 12 boys whose house I'm sharing.. they were keen to carry my bags and gear back to my room. My sponsor child Lift was eager to show me what he had been learning on the guitar that I got him a couple of weeks back. And so was back into life here in Phetchabun. I've only got a couple more days left in Thailand before I head to England next Tuesday. Am sad even thinking about leaving.. but very much looking forward to seeing my friends Steve and Emma in England.
3 comments:
Hey damien! It's great to hear all your stories and i really like your photos. What are the little boys doing in the photos when they hold up their thumb and index finger to their chin?
Hi Jane.. Yeah.. So after much research.. (well none really) But from what I've figured out.. It only comes out during photo's and I think it's the Thai equivalent of the 'peace symbol' that you may seen used by many Japanese tourists.. ?!?
:-)_\ as you can see I've created an emotion-icon of my own to capture this wonderful phenomenon
Sa wat dee kaa Damien
We met in Bangkok - we were the team from Albury with Helen - we were just heading off to Khon Kaen and you were heading off to see a bit more of the world. Our team had a fantastic time and will never forget the ever smiling faces of the children. My family are now the very proud sponsors of Toto at Khon Kaen! Your boys in Phetchabun are doing well - Phil and Nathan inherited your room. My daughter Shauni and I can't wait to go back to Thailand to see the children again. I couldn't believe it when I came across your blog!! You have some amazing photo's - maybe its photography you should be studying!!! Hope your travels are happy and safe.
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