You could be under no illusion as to whom this report refers to, could you? As I said to Jean "Giving a camera to a photographer is like giving a pair of scissors to a hairdresser - they never know when to stop". Which, fortunately, made him laugh. Talk about candid camera, I hate to think just what he's shot (for his personal use only) during the course of the few hours we were with him.
It's always a joy to do something with Jean - he's just so pleasant, and when I asked his permission to bring along another little boy (found living on the beach and currently in the care of the Father Ray 1/2 way house on Thepprasit Road), for whom I would pay for lunch, he readily agreed - and subsequently also paid for his lunch - and for Dunkin' Donuts to take back and share with the other children in the facility.
Chinakret is usually not very chatty, but having Phuk along (they're quite close in age) put him more at ease, and then having mad cap Tom (zipping down the isles with the trolley and advising them on their fashion needs (in the manner of all young Thai teens), was a hoot. Chinakret even even sat on the front of Phuk's trolley and had him push them both. It was a real fun outing.
The boys opted for Pizza (much to Phuk's delight, as I don't think he'd had it before but was determined to use a knife and fork, even when we told him he could eat with his fingers), and chose the biggest size with the most things on it - a meat lover de luxe with sausage in the crust, which Tom and Boonying were delighted with, also. Jean and I shared a pepperoni and a bacon and cheese - the first time I've seen a pizza served half and half - and delicious, I must say.
Having declined ice cream, we went downstairs where the boys chose T-shirts and shorts, and then groceries for Chinakret.
Having taken Phuk back to his temporary dwelling place, we asked Chinakret if he'd like to play crazy golf, pool or anything that he might fancy, but he preferred to go home and show off everything to his Dad - who was on duty and happily came over to be photographed and introduced to Jean for the first time.
Jean was happy make the rest of us (particularly Chinakret, after having to disappoint him earlier) happy.
A very successful encounter, I think.
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.
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