Well what a funny and exciting old day.
Khun Steve invited me for a day out.
I was unsure of the itinerary, but a day out on the bikes seemed like a good idea and a break from the norm right now.
So early this morning i left home and made my way to
Chiang Mai from Mae Rim, we met up and off we set to the School for life.
School for life is an Orphanage in a beautiful setting on land owned by His Majesty The King, and donated to this project, in the
Doi Saket area and way off the beaten track. The project houses , feeds and cares for numerous Orphan's. Not only does it care for them it also provides essential training in life skills, so when the day arrives that they must leave, not only are they healthy and cared for, they have skills to take with them into the community and have a better start. They educated to a good standard, they have a good command of English and are taught entrepreneurial skills as well. This is in addition to the basic skills of taking GOOD care of yourself in this big bad world.
We were there to view progress on the new build dormitory for 50 boys, this is sponsored and being paid for by the Roof Top Party Charity. This event has occurred annually since the Tsunami in South East Asia, when
Khun Steve and his merry band of committee members held a charity night for the victims of this horrific event.
The event was such a success on a charitable basis and a hit with the locals for a well organised fundraising event that was fun, we asked for it to become an annual
happening and it has. So this years benefactor is The School For Life, based on a submitted proposals, it changes each year and is Judged by the merits of the proposal.
Now we have you non residents up to speed i will continue.
To ensure that the monies raised are being administered wisely, a visit is arranged every step of the way before the next installment is paid. So today was one of those events, and my first visit to the site.
We were welcomed by the manager and given a tour of the facilities, and then lead down through the complex, which resembles the summer camps in the USA in my minds eye, to the new boys dormitory, which although still under construction is taking great shape. It has plenty of bathroom facilities and a family room, a room for staff to sleep in, so they can keep an eye out on the kids and room for 50 beds.
I must add on a personal note that the place had a great feel, the children cared for, the place was immaculate and the kids looked like they were enjoying life, not what you would generally expect from an orphanage anywhere in the world.
There is a blessing of this facility and official opening/handover, in early April with Monks etc.
If you would like to attend please contact Steve for details as the dates are not firm, whoever knows when builders will finish any job. There will be a lunch and drinks with a cover charge, come on we wouldn't want to take the food from the mouths of babes would we.
I hope the boys enjoy the new space and wish them every opportunity and good luck in the future, especially having had such a rough start.
P.S Contributions to Hillside Rooftop Charity are constantly welcomed as the fundraising for the next year starts as soon as the current has finished.
After School for life anther surprise.
We headed a bit further North to
Khun Warrens place in the back end of the back end of beyond, and you all thought i live in the middle of nowhere! Well i suppose i do compared to Warren, but that means Warren is in the back of beyond of it.
Having wound through country roads and past beautiful rivers and finally traversed a stream on our bikes we arrive. Now the plot thickens. We are here on a mission, a charitable one at that, which involves
Khun Steve,
Khun Warren and
Khun Nack, and since i am there i suppose i am implicated. Don't get all excited, it genuinely is charitable not illicit, but i am sworn to secrecy for a little while. Keep coming back and all will be revealed in later postings. I would however like to thank
Khun Warren and his lovely lads for a great lunch and the afternoon tea, as Betty discovered the nosey mare she is, in Royal Dalton no less, oh Tea in a china cup X X X X
On the way back from our BOND style mission Warren enlightened us to an amazing home stay which i am loathe to share with you all. But since life here is about sharing great experiences and new found treasures here we go.
In the lands that sit around the Doi Saket region, near to Warrens "Valley", is a little sign in Thai, you will never find it without a map, and thanks to Warren English as well, stating home stay, and after a meander along, to say the least, a "Dodgy" road and crossing a babbling Brook you will discover a Bamboo hut, with a massive open lounge /dinning area, 4 en suite, yes en suite bedrooms, with western style toilets and showers, a large terrace and best of all for the winter, an open log fire. Here you can while away the days (and nights) and really get to grips with living THAI STYLE. I am planning on a 2 night trip if anyone want to join the fun.
Apparently if you notify them of your arrival the village boys will organise food and bring guitars and generally make your stay comfortable. From this base camp you can either relax or more interestingly explore the nearby waterfalls and many walks available.
After High Tea ( so out of Africa) with
Khun's Warren,
Nack and Steve, Steve and i headed off home before the light failed us. En route however we could not resist the allure of an open market and all it had to offer, i bought flip flops and Steve treat us both to orange drinks. Given the chance i think we would both have treated ourselves to something more LOCAL
http://picasaweb.google.com/GARETHANGEL/SchoolForLifehttp://picasaweb.google.com/GARETHANGEL/HomeStay
