News from Thailand and the arrival of two Board Members and friends from Australia..
Summer is here and the Songkran Festival..
The Songkran festival is the traditional Thai New Year’s Day and is celebrated from 13 April to 15 April. The most famous aspect of the Songkran celebrations is the throwing of water and the fact that it is so hot this is very refreshing.
The heat is unbearable at present and the region is very dry, as a result and water has been scarce in the creek.
Rescue Mission for Children Inc. Projects Volunteer Team has hit the ground running! .. They have arrived at the Mission
Michael, Noel, Rodney and David have assessed the infrastructure upgrade needs at the Mission. After arriving to over 40° temperatures! they immediately went to work installing fans for the children in their dormitories. We are so thankful to Rochedale Springwood Lions Club and Lions Club of Sunnybank Inc. for generously donating funds towards these upgrades and more.
The team recently had to get a tank of water delivered and behold the rain came overnight! What a blessing. The trees such as coffee plants, were in a poor condition, as there had been no water for quite some months, so let us hope that the draught has finally broken.
David and Rod have been working very hard checking all the lighting and switches in the Dorms, living and eating areas, kitchen and laundry and the volunteers areas. This has been a massive job and is work in progress. Great job guys! And thank you for everything you have done in making the Mission a safe place for all.
While very busy throughout their stay at the Mission, the guys had some fun too playing a game of AFL.
A highlight was the handing out the donated presents that they brought over with them:
• AFL footballs, Lions singlets,
• Gold Coast Suns caps from David Langham,
• Jewellery from Rod Reardon, made by his wife Gayle.
• Lots of Tee Shirts etc from all sorts of people.
The sheer pleasure on the children’s faces was wonderful.
Ice cream is the order of the day in the heat – yum!
BOODOH MYER..
Boodoh Myer, an 8 years old Akha girl. Boodoh’s family is so poor that mum and dad were unable to support her. Boodoh has five more siblings still at home and I am sure she was happy to see them during the holidays.
Boodoh is quite a confidant girl, very open and direct. She has so many friends. She is also playful, rowdy, and likes to speak on her friends behalf.
BIG NEWS..
We are excited to report that our Volunteer Residential Managers started their journey to Thailand and arrived safely at Rescue Mission for Children.
Paul and Dee Evans will support Asa and the team to care for the children at the Mission. During their time at the Mission, many systems will be set up to assist in reporting to the board and general on-going management of the Mission to give the best possible care for them. Part of this will included a full detailed health register to ensure that our children is vaccinated and receive any needed general health care, particularly dental care.
It was the first day of school when this photo was taken and Rescue Mission For Children Inc. proudly accompany our 40 children to school for the first day of the Thai school year, some for the first time in their lives!! The kids looked very impressive with their new uniforms, including shoes.
The team will be heading home by the time this hits the news and we look forward to hearing more about their Thai visit. Meanwhile remember to check our Fpage for more pictures and news.
Asa Stevenson. General Manager – Rescue Mission for Children
Australian Board Members
Paul and Dee Residential Managers