Visit to Chonburi Youth Prison

Today a visit to the Choburi Youth Prison to visit 'Pon' one of our 14 year old students who is serving a two and a half year prison sentence for possession of drugs.

'Pon' is small for his age and very slightly built and was travelling on the back of his uncles motor bike when the bike was stopped at police check point, the uncle put something from his pocket into the kid's pocket and when they were searched it was 'Pon' who had possession of the more than 20 tablets of drugs and he was arrested.

Whilst on remand waiting for the court trial a fight broke out amongst some of the boys on remand and 'Pon' being the smallest took the blame and that automatically added another six months to any sentence he would receive.

When the kids arrive at the prison they are issued with two T-shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of underwear, a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush, a towel, a small bottle of shampoo and a spoon and unless they have someone to bring them anything else that is the extent of their worldly possessions during their sentence. The prison officer displayed the pack the kids are issued with for us to see.

'Pon' is now 5 months into his sentence and despite our best efforts we were unable to get a smile out of him (not really surprising considering his circumstances). 'Pon's' 80 year old grandfather who was caring for him makes an occasional visit but the prison is about 60miles from Pattaya where he lives. We were permitted to take photos  (which we are not publishing other than this edited one) of 'Pon' for his UK sponsor who asked us to find out what he needs and but it for him. 'Pon' asked for boxer shorts, underwear, T-shirts, toothpaste / brush, deodorant, talcum powder and skin cream. His main wish was for a warm coat. We have asked Suky of MERCY to organise the purchase of the items on our behalf and arrange for them to be delivered to 'Pon' in the next few days. On our way to the prison we stopped and bought a bucket of KFC for 'Pon' thinking he may want to share some with his friends, although he indicated that he would probably eat most of it himself, he certainly looked as though he needed something to eat.

'Pon' is on an agricultural vocational course during his sentence and there is a possibility that his sentence will be reduced by a few days for good behaviour, when his sentence ends he will be in grade nine and hopefully be able to return to school to finish his education.

The prison unit houses 300 boys and the daily budget for food per person is just 40Baht (80 pence) and that has to provide 3 meals a day. In the prison their are two social workers and one child psychologist for the 300 boys.

Palm, Pey and brother Got, shopping treat on behalf of UK based sponsors

Palm, Pey and Got, shopping trip on behalf of Palm's sponsor.

Today we took 12 year old Palm shopping on behalf of Steve and Dan her UK based sponsors who had also asked that younger sister Pey (11) and brother Got (6) be included.  Despite Suky trying to persuade them that they should eat at KFC the kids wanted Thai food, so Thai food it was before heading to Tescos for clothes shopping for the kids plus a remote controlled car for Got. After shopping our best efforts failed to convince the kids that we should try Svensons ice cream so it was back home to mum.

www.slumkids.org 

Australian sponsor's visit to Pattaya

As you may have already gathered from the photographs, we had a great visit with Kevin  (who works in the mines) his sister Judith (who works in Health Care in Brisbane) and Natthew, his Thai friend (who spoke very good English and Dutch, having lived in Holland for 7 years).

Since there was a bit of a mix up at the school when they went to pick up Sarawut (the teacher had brought the wrong brother, I understand), Paphawee hadn't gone to school (but no-one had thought to tell us) and horrendous traffic conditions due to it being International Fireworks weekend and market day...we were somewhat later than we had intended in picking up the sponsors.  That said, they were very understanding, since we had tried unsuccessfully to call and text them. They had tried calling me, but unfortunately I'd left my phone at home. However, as we were in the van which has no MERCY sign on the side, Boonying ran foul of the guard at the Venue who hassled him about being a private taxi driver. (Clearly, it was one of those days!)

Since we were running a bit behind we decided to divide and conquer, so after a delicious lunch in Maes Y Ruen we went into Tesco Lotus and do some shopping.  Suky went off with Sarawut and Kevin, and Judith and I went along with Paphawee and Natthew.  It was quite funny really; everything was fine when she was looking at frocks, T-shirts and jeans, but thinking she might be embarrassed when it came to underwear Judith and I tried to head Natthew in a different direction. However, try as we would, he was a lovely time choosing pretty patterned undies - and making sure Yea went along to try everything on.  She took it all in her stride, shyly listening to everyone's suggestions, but clearly appreciating his comments and sense of style. Judith and I were totally surprised, but it seems he has sisters with whom he's very close, so it was all very mundane for him.

When we met up it was obvious that Yea hadn't as many clothes as Dean, so Kevin insisted she go back for another look before we headed to the grocery department. In addition to his nice new wardrobe, Sarawut had chosen the ever popular remote controlled car to while away his leisure time, which brought a big beam to his face, bless him.

Surprisingly, neither of the children went for Dunkin' Donuts to take home with them, but everyone except Yea was so happy when Kevin suggested ice cream, so it was very quiet on the journey back, as we all tucked into Dairy Queen delights of various kinds.

After dropping Yea at home (she was collecting a bag and Grandma was dropping her back at school) we took Sarawut home, as Kevin had expressed his desire to know what the family circumstances were and if they needed any help.

They were very happy to receive all the groceries, and we asked if Suky might go inside the house to check what else, might be needed. Back she came with the reply that they needed mattresses, bedding and a fan.

As Kevin is leaving today and it was already late in the afternoon, we decided that we'd take he and Judith to the mattress shop for him to see what was available, and he paid for 3 single mattresses, and bedding, which Suky and Boonying have delivered.  Then he and Suky went to Big C to look at fans, and he bought two, which are also on the van with Suky today.  

It was a great pleasure to meet such lovely and generous people, and I hope they'll come back and see us again one day (Kevin certainly will).

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.

www.slum-kids.org

Helping the kids in the Youth Prison

With thoughts of Christmas approaching we thought we would update you on how some of the money donated  is being spent.

Our Treasurer  is visiting Pattaya during December and January and has been invited to visit the Youth Prison in Chonburi where there are 600 boys and girls aged between 9-17 years either on remand awaiting sentence by the courts or serving jail sentences. Many of these kids have committed offences through poverty, living on the streets or have been caught up in the drug trade

As many of these kids do not have families or friends to visit them or to bring them clothing or toiletries  we have offered to use some of the money you have generously donated to help buy essential items such as, T-Shirts and  Boxer shorts for the boys and , shirts and Bras for the girls.  Towels, slippers, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, detergent and personal hygiene items and underwear for all of the boys and girls.

In the New Year we will report on the visit to the prison and if possible include a few images although naturally there are restrictions on taking photos of kids in prison. We hope that you feel that helping these kids is a worthwhile way to use your donations and through you make the lives of the kids in the prison a little bit brighter.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so by visiting our website and clicking on any of the 'Donate' button and including the reference 'Youth Prison'.

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.

www.slum-kids.org

The dangers of mosquitoes

Suky went out to visit these children's mother  yesterday.  It seems that her husband has begun drinking, 'playing the field' and meeting with 'old pals', so they have separated.

Unable to earn enough at her day job to take care of her children and her brother, she has begun working in a Karaoke bar in the evenings/nights.

It seems that Saharat was not at school when she called, because he has some very worrying skin problems, probably the result of being bitten by mosquitoes and then scratching...and the baby has some similar, but less angry looking patches, too. (We may have to look at how we can try to prevent this, also.)

The children need to go to the hospital, and Suky is free to take them tomorrow morning.  We're trying to firm up details with Mum.  We have no idea how much it will cost, but we'll give you the report as soon as they've seen the doctor, O.K?

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.

www.slum-kids.org

UK based sponsor's visit to meet his students in Pattaya.

Never let it be said that we do not immerse visiting sponsors in the madness that is Pattaya:

It was all very hectic yesterday - and in the middle of it was the question of how to get my dog back from the vet's, can you believe?   It was one of those days when "You don't have to be mad to work here, but it does help", comes to mind.

Having said that, Thomas (always such a pleasant and amenable chap) arrived at the office promptly at 10:30am, so I had the chance to catch up on his life and new job (and the weather, of course, being a Brit.), while Suky dashed around in the background trying to find out where the van was. It transpired that the van at the Home was in the garage, so Sharon was using the Toyota van to take two of the kids to hospital, and the pick-ups were being used by others - so we reckoned that since the two boys were only slim, everyone would just manage to fit in my car. 

Thomas, Suky and Boonying, having collected the boys from their school, ate at Maes Y Ruen - chicken, prawns & rice and satay with bread (I've never found out why they serve bread with the satay - maybe to mop up any remaining peanut sauce?) before going into Tesco Lotus to choose a gift for each of them (remote controlled cars) and groceries for the family.  Thomas was happy to help them carry their goodies home before going back to school, and being the sweet natured fellow he is, sent me a non spicy take away lunch to the office. He could see I might fade away from lack of nourishment, obviously!

I'd checked previously that he wasn't afraid of dogs, so on the way back, after taking the boys back to school, they collected my dog from the vet's, and took her home.

I was very sorry I couldn't arrange to get Thomas to the Home though - we hadn't the transport available at the time the children would be there.  However, Thomas said (although I know he was disappointed) he would do it next time.  Bless his heart, it would be wonderful if everyone was so understanding, wouldn't it?

Anyway, Suky said the boys were still enjoying school and hadn't encountered any problems (yet), and they were delighted to see Thomas again.  They're not in the least shy these days, which always makes it easier for a sponsor, of course.

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.

www.slum-kids.org

Jeans for the kids

 
With winter just around the corner it was time to kit out the kids at BKP with new jeans so we donated 11,900 baht (£238) for a new pair of jeans and a belt for each of the 30 kids.
 

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.

www.slum-kids.org