Just wanted to wish you all lots of luck - its a fantastic opportunity and lots of hard work, but I’m sure you’ll all get so much fulfillment from your time at Sarnelli House. A journey in more ways than one…
Good luck guys what a great opportunity to really make a difference we will be thinking of you lots of love - Internal Comms team - Tina Jeanette Ceri Sarah xxx
Well the time has nearly come! I just want to say a huge thank you on behalf of the Community Connections team for all the fundraising the volunteers have done to help make this project happen. The money raised is already starting to change the children’s lives and I know they are looking forward to meeting you all.
Best of luck to the first group heading out tonight!
Rainy Sunday night here in the UK and just checked in to see how you’re doing - Hi Lindsey - hope you’re all recovered from the trip out there and looking forward to your week. Have a great stay and give the kids what they need. Did you get to do the pizza party? Have fun. Ange xx
Sawasdee khan from home. How’s everything going out there. What have you been up to at the orphanage, did the children enjoy their pizza ? Have you spent the money on toys for the kids yet ? What was the reaction to their sweeties and football kits ?
Drop us a blog.
See you soon.
Love big Sissy xx
HI Everyone
I hear that Friday was a great send off for you all and now its Monday morning here in the uk you should well and truley be under way with hands on suport in the orphanage!
Lindsey and Claire hope you are both ok and this is evereything you have planned and worked so hard for over the past few months.
Log as much information as you can each day, reflect on the great and not so great and if possible take as many photos as possible its great to have the memories when your back .Take care drink plenty of water and look foward to more updates this week!
Lou
Hope you got there safetly, I got your text message. Hopefully you’ll be there at the orphanage by now, how are all the kids and did they like the presents you took for them, I bet there faces lit up. look afteryourself and stay safe, wishing the best of luck with your challenge, love u Shelly xxxxxxxx
Hi All, yes finally arrived yesterday via the Bankok Express 13 hours of fun, bumpy train travel, lots of fun with the gang ive made friends with, so we laughed all the way, while we were awake which was most of the first 2 days of travelling, but its all been worth it in the end. arrived at Hotel Nong khai yesterday by which time everyone in Thailand had greeted us with a smile and a clasp of hands. we headed out to the 3 orphanages we are working at the girls, the baby orphange and then sarnelli house where all the children have AIDS/HIV, as our 2 mini buses pulled into this rural area in the middle of nowhere the children all 136 ran up to us smiling and laughing and putting their hands together in greeting, the sight was amazing and filmed by the camera crew who are travelling with us. we spent hours becoming friends with them all who thought we were amazing having brought a ton of haribo sweets and digital cameras, which they find amazing to see their faces in picture. we went to the baby section where we equally fell in love with the most beut tiny babies which we were able to hold and cuddle. The emotions ran high as we helped the children take their AIDS/HIV medication at 6pm where they all queued up in singgle order to take them whilst smiling up at us, while we blubbed, after lots of travelling and seeing these amazing kids our emotions finally got the better of us. I have met baby Jack and he is an amazing little boy who loves me taking his photo with his cheeky mates, The children had a pizza party with us as the guest where they put on a special Thai dance with costumes and all, then one by one we were called to the front by father mike while a little child placed a hand made necklace of fresh picked jasmine around our necks and thanked us. All in all our first day was beyond anything we could comprehend in this amazing country. we fell in bed later that night. this morning we set of to the girls orphanage where we spent the whole day until tonight, painting, cleaning, the whole of the building inside and out, the children were amazed when they came back from school and i think loved it. its 11.30pm and we’ve just managed to have a fantastic traditional thai banquet at a thai street restaurant where teh locals eat, basic but the food was amazing best thai food ever, ill catch up with you all tomorrow as i need my rest - debs/paul you will love it, its the best thing ive ever done and lived upto expectation and more, you will fall in love and each of us have at least a few children who have formed attachments to us that are special as soon as you arrive they run up to you and hold your hand.
Hello everyone,
I am very exhausted today but very happy also.
I think we have finished our painting work and it has been brilliant. I have taken some
photos before the work and after it and you can not believe the difference.
The girls seem to be very happy with the changes, everything is new for them and I am sure they appreciate it a lot
Tomorrow more work and more happiness.
Hi, well another hard but well worth day, better than a day at the gym feels like you are really making a difference and the childrens reaction is amazing!!. Today we spent the day painting and cleaning the whole of another building, it might sound easy but we have a deadline a building a day so its all hands to the deck and no time to waste, we have to have the building finished for when the kids get home from school at 4.30 all furniture had to be move out by us and then the whole of the inside painted and repainted including the ceiling, as well as the outside of the building top to bottom, my preference is using a bamboo to stick my roller on the end for the outside walls - well we are in the jungle. We were joined by chris, a bupa director from international who spent 8.30- 5.30 with us working like a trojan alongside the team, we were all very impressed and obviously ordered him about a lot, which he loved and thought we were very funny. We took him to see the babies at Sarnelli and then the children presented him with a lovely sarnelli t-shirt in another ceremony, which brought a tear again to our eyes, the tv crew left tonight which was sad to see them go as Mary, Liam and Rob have all become part of the gang. The kids queued up again to get their sweeties of us, thats what they love more than anything else, they all bow to you in great respect and its so touching, even the 2 year olds do it. My friend “lyn’ who is 14 but looks about 7 years old ran up to me when i arrived today and put her arms around my legs, shes only tiny about 3 foot and very loving and is very ill with AIDS at the moment its been touch and go, but you wouldnt know it to look at her smile when she sees me. i’ve been chasing Jack and Joi (from my email adverts) around the baby nursery today where i had bought them 2 baby strollers and a rocker last night at TESCO!!!1 The weather is still hot but ok as we have loads of massive fans around us to keep us cool and plenty of cold water in a big freezer. Its 6.29pm and im just getting in from another day, ready for a shower and then off to the thai street restaurant for some fab food and then to bed, tomorrow we are cementing a basketball yard and then to the garden speak to you tomorrow love linzi
This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 11:34 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Edit this entry.
I’ve just returned from spending three days at Sanelli House ahead of the first group of volunteers. It was incredibly moving experience. It is an amazing place, where some amazing people are doing amazing work. The children were looking forward to welcoming you - I hope you enjoyed their dancing display! And Man U loves being pushed around on his red and yellow tricycle! Best of luck to all the volunteers going out there: you are really going to make a difference to the lives of the children. Looking forward to hearing about - and seeing - more via your blogs. Keep them coming.
Another amazing day, unfortunately, the monsoon hit us today cats and dogs all day and night, we managed to spend some time buying furnishings for the girls home which they loved, scatter cushions so they dont have to sit on the hard wood floors anymore, new curtains, lamps, etc etc. The basketball court was finally concreted today in the pouring rain.it felt like being in rainy manchester just like home but still very hot. the girls helped me decorate their old cupboards with bright new transfers which they loved. we feel like Thai’s speaking a little bit of the language, we travelled for hours in the mini buses where we visited a home furnishing shop in Undon thai about an hour away where the locals were amazing seeing 11 western women shopping, we had a big crowd around us. I still cant get over how cheap everything is, everyone was really tired tonight so only 4 of us mananaged to go out for something to eat to our fav thai street restaurant, me, Gen for IT, Sandi from care services and Miranda from Sanitas, tons of food and some beer it all came to a fiver!!!!. Its till raining and im off to bed now its 11.40pm, I have made a new friend in the chef at the hotel his name is potatoe and hes built like a rugby player, unfortunately, hes the biggest lady boy you’ll every meet but he seems to live me and giggles everything he seems me saying pretty lady!!!. debs/paul - use 10,000 of the bhat to give to father mike, he’s going to use it to buy the xmas prezzies and take the kids on holiday to pattawee about 13 hours away by bus. There is no way you can spend all that money on presents here, i came the rest and have bought baby walkers, some gifts, sweets,etc. ‘Our Kid’ im now a thai food convert, but did blister my mouth last night on a red chilli during the meal - painful. Shelly, im going to the market on friday to get you that special bag you wanted. mum and dad, im having a fantastic time with a great bunch of people and loving it, nothing to worry about. the time has flown and i cant believe tomorrow is our last day, where the kids have arranged a goodbye ceremony to say goodbye, there will be tears, but im sure i will come back again, 3 of us are already planning on coming back next year to volunteer at father mikes. well goodnight and ill see you all next week. love linzi
Loving your blogs Lindsey they are so you. Glad you are getting as much from the experience as the children are from you. Sending you a hug in advance for when it’s time to say goodbye as I know you will be really sad. We can’t wait to hear from you in person when you get back in work. See you soon - Janine
Message for Jackie Seymour from Rhayader, Wales, leaving for Thailand on Friday .
Have a wonderful time. I know you will do a lot to help the children out there. Looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing your stories when you get back.
Love Ann
I love reading your blogs its sounds amazing and that the work you and the team have done will make such a huge difference to the children. How come you can travel across the world and still get the fella’s chatting you up, a chef aswell!!!! I know it will be very sad for you when your leaving, but you’ve done a great job, that’s been so very worthwhile and rewarding that it will stay with you forever. Can’t wait to see you in person and hear all your amazing stories. Take care, love Shelly xxxxxxx
Blimey where has the time gone It sounds as though you are all having an amazing experience and equally making an amazing difference to the lives and people within the community .Some wonderful picture of you all……… keep them coming as this keeps it real for us actually seeing you all there.
Hi Linz
Been reading your blogs everyday , they have made me laugh and cry at the same time . Sounds like you are having a brilliant experience , I’ve told Leon & Nicole that you have gone to help the poor children faraway and they have been asking lots of questions about Auntie Linz.You sound like you’re doing a great job , keep up with the hard work ! I think this is your last day so don’t be too sad when you have to leave .
See you when you get back mate,Love Shirl xxx
Hiya Linz,
Hope your ok!
Hope you are having good time and enjoying yourself! Office has been really quiet without you, we’ve had all our halloween decorations up but didnt get dressed up. Weve read your blogs sounds like you are having a fab time there, wish we was there with you, keep up the hard work linz, we’re all thinking of you have a safe journey home and we shall be seeing you soon! p.s try and bring little jack home for me ha
Missing you lots
Love
Candice, Leighanne and Emma
xxxx
Hello again little sissy. I’m so proud of you and I think you’ve definitely found your forte in life - helping others. I’m glad you’ve had a fantastic time and have been able to experience this extraordinary trip. I’ll reserve you a seat on the next evening at Phetpalin (going there tonight funnily enough). Have read all your blogs and have been choked up at all of them. Have a safe trip home hon. Will be glad to have you back.
All my love
Big Sissy xxx
This really is my final blog, ive read all your messages of support and am really touched, it was hard to say goodbye today and we have all sat down when we got back and reflected on our time here. Everyone is going to sponsor a child and hopefully i can pursade people at SQ to do the same. Father Mike is ACE, even though he’s a priest he dresses in trainers, chefs pants and a ‘Ragin Cajun’ T-shirt full of vigor for 75 yrs old. Derrick who is from the Patawee orphanage and has helped arranged this trip is the best guide you can have having worked here for 7 years, he will help you all for the next 5 weeks. And Claire from bupa (your project manager for the 2nd week volunteers) is amazing, she will make your trip really worthwhile. For those people coming out here over the coming weeks dont worry!!! everything is planned to perfection. tips for presents to bring over that are easy to carry - i bought 150 glitter pencils from the pound shop and today when i opened them up, the kids went bananas and swarmed me like they were gold, they love the glitter and kept touching their faces with it. The girls love sparkly things like bangles and necklaces anything girly and gawdy. The boys are just like home - glittery bouncy balls, marbles , etc. but dont forget there are about 20 girls who are teenagers who like more teenager things , fancy hair slides and jewelery. Your cant get much of that in Nong Khai. to put your mind at rest volunteers the journey to nong khai is great, the plane is big and comfy lots of new films not yet released in the uk to watch on your own screen, the seats go back and you get a quilt and pillow to sleep, the stop over in bangkok is dead quick and you get to see a gbuddist temple, then onto the train which is an great adverture, then your in nong khai where Derrick will meet you in 2 minbushes (air con) pack your shorts to put on when you arrive in bangkok (its hot) but when you get to nong khai its not as humid. the hotel is great, bedrooms are big and comfy with a big tv, pc, air con, pool and you are all in the best block of rooms over the pool a 2 hour thai massage is about 3 quid (paul get room 1015, its on the top and a good view) breakfast is orange juice, eggs, bacon etc etc so no chicken porriage for your evening meal derrick and claire will take you to the best thai food place ever. Your time will go fast but you will love it, im jealous as i dont want to come home (love you mum dad and sissy) but honestly to any of the volunteers who are a bit apprehensive live me, your fears will melt away once you land, its the land of smiles. good luck to everyone and off to my comfy bed see you next week - love lindsey ash
HI Everyone on week2, hope you are looking foward to the amazing exprience that lies ahead of you all .It looooks as though the first group have have made a fantastic start some of the pictures look superb!! Paul good luck to you this week please do keep in touch and let us know how its all going. Thinking about you Claire again some great images.Take Care
Lou
Hello to Claire and everyone taking part in BUPA’s 60th Thailand Challenge!!
What an amazing project! It really sounds as if everyone is benefiting so much from this experience - the volunteers, the community, the project managers (!), and most importantly, the children.
It does sounds as if you are all working incredibly hard - although no doubt the effort involved is matched ten-fold by the utlimate reward of knowing you’ve been a part of something so special. I know it has inspired me to get involved in a similar project.
Best of luck for the remainder of the trip. I have every faith that it will continue to be a great success.
Janine Shackleton said,
October 24, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
Hope you all have a pleasant journey and we can’t wait to read your blogs
Missing you already Lindsey
Love from
Janine, Stan, Debbie and the Teams
lazuli1 said,
October 25, 2007 @ 8:09 am
Hope it all goes well. See you on the other side!
Steve D.
Helen Wooller said,
October 25, 2007 @ 8:43 am
Hi everyone (esp Debs, Jules, Lindsey and Andy!)
Just wanted to wish you all lots of luck - its a fantastic opportunity and lots of hard work, but I’m sure you’ll all get so much fulfillment from your time at Sarnelli House. A journey in more ways than one…
Be safe - blog you later!!
Helen
x
Jeanette Hudson said,
October 25, 2007 @ 9:13 am
Good luck guys what a great opportunity to really make a difference we will be thinking of you lots of love - Internal Comms team - Tina Jeanette Ceri Sarah xxx
siobhandrane said,
October 25, 2007 @ 9:48 am
Good luck to all the BUPA volunteers taking part in this fantastic project! I hope all of you enjoy every minute of the experience!
Good luck Claire - you’ll be brilliant! x
Siobhan (weeks 3 and 4)
Admin said,
October 25, 2007 @ 10:47 am
Just wanted to wish everyone going to Thailand good luck and have a fantastic time.
Iain
PS Don’t forget to blog
Debs Cook said,
October 25, 2007 @ 3:13 pm
Hi everyone flying out to Thailand,
Just wanted to say a big good luck to all those on weeks 1 & 2, have a great time out there. Hope it’s everything you want & more.
I’m due out on week three and already very excited. I’ve just said farewell to Lindsey Ash - sure they won’t know what’s hit them!!!
Can’t wait to hear what you’re all upto and I’ll def be logging on next week for regular updates!
Have a good journey - I’m thinking about you.
Cheers
Debs Cook xx
joannekeane said,
October 26, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Well the time has nearly come! I just want to say a huge thank you on behalf of the Community Connections team for all the fundraising the volunteers have done to help make this project happen. The money raised is already starting to change the children’s lives and I know they are looking forward to meeting you all.
Best of luck to the first group heading out tonight!
Joanne
lucy johnstone said,
October 28, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
hey lindsey,
hope you had a safe jorney and hope the kids like all the stuff you managed to get for them! let me know how your doing!
love lucy xx
Angela Shaddick said,
October 28, 2007 @ 7:58 pm
Rainy Sunday night here in the UK and just checked in to see how you’re doing - Hi Lindsey - hope you’re all recovered from the trip out there and looking forward to your week. Have a great stay and give the kids what they need. Did you get to do the pizza party? Have fun. Ange xx
Sissy said,
October 29, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
Hello Sissy
Sawasdee khan from home. How’s everything going out there. What have you been up to at the orphanage, did the children enjoy their pizza ? Have you spent the money on toys for the kids yet ? What was the reaction to their sweeties and football kits ?
Drop us a blog.
See you soon.
Love big Sissy xx
Louise Hanlon said,
October 29, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
HI Everyone
I hear that Friday was a great send off for you all and now its Monday morning here in the uk you should well and truley be under way with hands on suport in the orphanage!
Lindsey and Claire hope you are both ok and this is evereything you have planned and worked so hard for over the past few months.
Log as much information as you can each day, reflect on the great and not so great and if possible take as many photos as possible its great to have the memories when your back .Take care drink plenty of water and look foward to more updates this week!
Lou
Shelly Irving said,
October 29, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
Hi Liniz,
Hope you got there safetly, I got your text message. Hopefully you’ll be there at the orphanage by now, how are all the kids and did they like the presents you took for them, I bet there faces lit up. look afteryourself and stay safe, wishing the best of luck with your challenge, love u Shelly xxxxxxxx
lindseyash said,
October 29, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Hi All, yes finally arrived yesterday via the Bankok Express 13 hours of fun, bumpy train travel, lots of fun with the gang ive made friends with, so we laughed all the way, while we were awake which was most of the first 2 days of travelling, but its all been worth it in the end. arrived at Hotel Nong khai yesterday by which time everyone in Thailand had greeted us with a smile and a clasp of hands. we headed out to the 3 orphanages we are working at the girls, the baby orphange and then sarnelli house where all the children have AIDS/HIV, as our 2 mini buses pulled into this rural area in the middle of nowhere the children all 136 ran up to us smiling and laughing and putting their hands together in greeting, the sight was amazing and filmed by the camera crew who are travelling with us. we spent hours becoming friends with them all who thought we were amazing having brought a ton of haribo sweets and digital cameras, which they find amazing to see their faces in picture. we went to the baby section where we equally fell in love with the most beut tiny babies which we were able to hold and cuddle. The emotions ran high as we helped the children take their AIDS/HIV medication at 6pm where they all queued up in singgle order to take them whilst smiling up at us, while we blubbed, after lots of travelling and seeing these amazing kids our emotions finally got the better of us. I have met baby Jack and he is an amazing little boy who loves me taking his photo with his cheeky mates, The children had a pizza party with us as the guest where they put on a special Thai dance with costumes and all, then one by one we were called to the front by father mike while a little child placed a hand made necklace of fresh picked jasmine around our necks and thanked us. All in all our first day was beyond anything we could comprehend in this amazing country. we fell in bed later that night. this morning we set of to the girls orphanage where we spent the whole day until tonight, painting, cleaning, the whole of the building inside and out, the children were amazed when they came back from school and i think loved it. its 11.30pm and we’ve just managed to have a fantastic traditional thai banquet at a thai street restaurant where teh locals eat, basic but the food was amazing best thai food ever, ill catch up with you all tomorrow as i need my rest - debs/paul you will love it, its the best thing ive ever done and lived upto expectation and more, you will fall in love and each of us have at least a few children who have formed attachments to us that are special as soon as you arrive they run up to you and hold your hand.
Mum&Dad said,
October 29, 2007 @ 11:11 pm
Hello Sweetie, sounds like your having a wonderful time with the children,please take care and enjoy this amazing adventure.xxxx
rosa said,
October 30, 2007 @ 1:53 pm
Hello everyone,
I am very exhausted today but very happy also.
I think we have finished our painting work and it has been brilliant. I have taken some
photos before the work and after it and you can not believe the difference.
The girls seem to be very happy with the changes, everything is new for them and I am sure they appreciate it a lot
Tomorrow more work and more happiness.
Ceri said,
October 31, 2007 @ 9:11 am
Linzi
Hope all is going well, enjoy the experience, and I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back.
Best wishes
Ceri
lindseyash said,
October 31, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Hi, well another hard but well worth day, better than a day at the gym feels like you are really making a difference and the childrens reaction is amazing!!. Today we spent the day painting and cleaning the whole of another building, it might sound easy but we have a deadline a building a day so its all hands to the deck and no time to waste, we have to have the building finished for when the kids get home from school at 4.30 all furniture had to be move out by us and then the whole of the inside painted and repainted including the ceiling, as well as the outside of the building top to bottom, my preference is using a bamboo to stick my roller on the end for the outside walls - well we are in the jungle. We were joined by chris, a bupa director from international who spent 8.30- 5.30 with us working like a trojan alongside the team, we were all very impressed and obviously ordered him about a lot, which he loved and thought we were very funny. We took him to see the babies at Sarnelli and then the children presented him with a lovely sarnelli t-shirt in another ceremony, which brought a tear again to our eyes, the tv crew left tonight which was sad to see them go as Mary, Liam and Rob have all become part of the gang. The kids queued up again to get their sweeties of us, thats what they love more than anything else, they all bow to you in great respect and its so touching, even the 2 year olds do it. My friend “lyn’ who is 14 but looks about 7 years old ran up to me when i arrived today and put her arms around my legs, shes only tiny about 3 foot and very loving and is very ill with AIDS at the moment its been touch and go, but you wouldnt know it to look at her smile when she sees me. i’ve been chasing Jack and Joi (from my email adverts) around the baby nursery today where i had bought them 2 baby strollers and a rocker last night at TESCO!!!1 The weather is still hot but ok as we have loads of massive fans around us to keep us cool and plenty of cold water in a big freezer. Its 6.29pm and im just getting in from another day, ready for a shower and then off to the thai street restaurant for some fab food and then to bed, tomorrow we are cementing a basketball yard and then to the garden speak to you tomorrow love linzi
This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 at 11:34 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Edit this entry.
Peter Jones said,
October 31, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
I’ve just returned from spending three days at Sanelli House ahead of the first group of volunteers. It was incredibly moving experience. It is an amazing place, where some amazing people are doing amazing work. The children were looking forward to welcoming you - I hope you enjoyed their dancing display! And Man U loves being pushed around on his red and yellow tricycle! Best of luck to all the volunteers going out there: you are really going to make a difference to the lives of the children. Looking forward to hearing about - and seeing - more via your blogs. Keep them coming.
Paul Hayward said,
October 31, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Hiya Lindsay & the rest of the volunteers,
Thank you for your blogs…
Sounds like your having an amazing time.
13 hours on the train u say Linzi?.. bumpy?…
Its sounds like its very moving. I’m really glad you are all enjoying the experience
Its getting me excited for my trip…
Keep up all the hardwork all.
Paul
Mum&Dad said,
October 31, 2007 @ 5:30 pm
We loved reading your blog,it seems that you are having a wonderful time
lindseyash said,
October 31, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
Another amazing day, unfortunately, the monsoon hit us today cats and dogs all day and night, we managed to spend some time buying furnishings for the girls home which they loved, scatter cushions so they dont have to sit on the hard wood floors anymore, new curtains, lamps, etc etc. The basketball court was finally concreted today in the pouring rain.it felt like being in rainy manchester just like home but still very hot. the girls helped me decorate their old cupboards with bright new transfers which they loved. we feel like Thai’s speaking a little bit of the language, we travelled for hours in the mini buses where we visited a home furnishing shop in Undon thai about an hour away where the locals were amazing seeing 11 western women shopping, we had a big crowd around us. I still cant get over how cheap everything is, everyone was really tired tonight so only 4 of us mananaged to go out for something to eat to our fav thai street restaurant, me, Gen for IT, Sandi from care services and Miranda from Sanitas, tons of food and some beer it all came to a fiver!!!!. Its till raining and im off to bed now its 11.40pm, I have made a new friend in the chef at the hotel his name is potatoe and hes built like a rugby player, unfortunately, hes the biggest lady boy you’ll every meet but he seems to live me and giggles everything he seems me saying pretty lady!!!. debs/paul - use 10,000 of the bhat to give to father mike, he’s going to use it to buy the xmas prezzies and take the kids on holiday to pattawee about 13 hours away by bus. There is no way you can spend all that money on presents here, i came the rest and have bought baby walkers, some gifts, sweets,etc. ‘Our Kid’ im now a thai food convert, but did blister my mouth last night on a red chilli during the meal - painful. Shelly, im going to the market on friday to get you that special bag you wanted. mum and dad, im having a fantastic time with a great bunch of people and loving it, nothing to worry about. the time has flown and i cant believe tomorrow is our last day, where the kids have arranged a goodbye ceremony to say goodbye, there will be tears, but im sure i will come back again, 3 of us are already planning on coming back next year to volunteer at father mikes. well goodnight and ill see you all next week. love linzi
Janine Shackleton said,
October 31, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
Loving your blogs Lindsey they are so you. Glad you are getting as much from the experience as the children are from you. Sending you a hug in advance for when it’s time to say goodbye as I know you will be really sad. We can’t wait to hear from you in person when you get back in work. See you soon - Janine
Ann Lloyd said,
November 1, 2007 @ 12:06 am
Message for Jackie Seymour from Rhayader, Wales, leaving for Thailand on Friday .
Have a wonderful time. I know you will do a lot to help the children out there. Looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing your stories when you get back.
Love Ann
Shelly Irving said,
November 1, 2007 @ 9:17 am
Lindsey,
I love reading your blogs its sounds amazing and that the work you and the team have done will make such a huge difference to the children. How come you can travel across the world and still get the fella’s chatting you up, a chef aswell!!!! I know it will be very sad for you when your leaving, but you’ve done a great job, that’s been so very worthwhile and rewarding that it will stay with you forever. Can’t wait to see you in person and hear all your amazing stories. Take care, love Shelly xxxxxxx
Louise Hanlon said,
November 1, 2007 @ 2:45 pm
Blimey where has the time gone It sounds as though you are all having an amazing experience and equally making an amazing difference to the lives and people within the community .Some wonderful picture of you all……… keep them coming as this keeps it real for us actually seeing you all there.
Take care and look foward to hearing more
Lou
Shirl said,
November 1, 2007 @ 2:58 pm
Hi Linz
Been reading your blogs everyday , they have made me laugh and cry at the same time . Sounds like you are having a brilliant experience , I’ve told Leon & Nicole that you have gone to help the poor children faraway and they have been asking lots of questions about Auntie Linz.You sound like you’re doing a great job , keep up with the hard work ! I think this is your last day so don’t be too sad when you have to leave .
See you when you get back mate,Love Shirl xxx
Candice and Leighanne and Emma said,
November 1, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
Hiya Linz,
Hope your ok!
Hope you are having good time and enjoying yourself! Office has been really quiet without you, we’ve had all our halloween decorations up but didnt get dressed up. Weve read your blogs sounds like you are having a fab time there, wish we was there with you, keep up the hard work linz, we’re all thinking of you have a safe journey home and we shall be seeing you soon! p.s try and bring little jack home for me ha
Missing you lots
Love
Candice, Leighanne and Emma
xxxx
Sissy said,
November 1, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
Hello again little sissy. I’m so proud of you and I think you’ve definitely found your forte in life - helping others. I’m glad you’ve had a fantastic time and have been able to experience this extraordinary trip. I’ll reserve you a seat on the next evening at Phetpalin (going there tonight funnily enough). Have read all your blogs and have been choked up at all of them. Have a safe trip home hon. Will be glad to have you back.
All my love
Big Sissy xxx
lindseyash said,
November 1, 2007 @ 6:01 pm
This really is my final blog, ive read all your messages of support and am really touched, it was hard to say goodbye today and we have all sat down when we got back and reflected on our time here. Everyone is going to sponsor a child and hopefully i can pursade people at SQ to do the same. Father Mike is ACE, even though he’s a priest he dresses in trainers, chefs pants and a ‘Ragin Cajun’ T-shirt full of vigor for 75 yrs old. Derrick who is from the Patawee orphanage and has helped arranged this trip is the best guide you can have having worked here for 7 years, he will help you all for the next 5 weeks. And Claire from bupa (your project manager for the 2nd week volunteers) is amazing, she will make your trip really worthwhile. For those people coming out here over the coming weeks dont worry!!! everything is planned to perfection. tips for presents to bring over that are easy to carry - i bought 150 glitter pencils from the pound shop and today when i opened them up, the kids went bananas and swarmed me like they were gold, they love the glitter and kept touching their faces with it. The girls love sparkly things like bangles and necklaces anything girly and gawdy. The boys are just like home - glittery bouncy balls, marbles , etc. but dont forget there are about 20 girls who are teenagers who like more teenager things , fancy hair slides and jewelery. Your cant get much of that in Nong Khai. to put your mind at rest volunteers the journey to nong khai is great, the plane is big and comfy lots of new films not yet released in the uk to watch on your own screen, the seats go back and you get a quilt and pillow to sleep, the stop over in bangkok is dead quick and you get to see a gbuddist temple, then onto the train which is an great adverture, then your in nong khai where Derrick will meet you in 2 minbushes (air con) pack your shorts to put on when you arrive in bangkok (its hot) but when you get to nong khai its not as humid. the hotel is great, bedrooms are big and comfy with a big tv, pc, air con, pool and you are all in the best block of rooms over the pool a 2 hour thai massage is about 3 quid (paul get room 1015, its on the top and a good view) breakfast is orange juice, eggs, bacon etc etc so no chicken porriage for your evening meal derrick and claire will take you to the best thai food place ever. Your time will go fast but you will love it, im jealous as i dont want to come home (love you mum dad and sissy) but honestly to any of the volunteers who are a bit apprehensive live me, your fears will melt away once you land, its the land of smiles. good luck to everyone and off to my comfy bed see you next week - love lindsey ash
Louise Hanlon said,
November 5, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
HI Everyone on week2, hope you are looking foward to the amazing exprience that lies ahead of you all .It looooks as though the first group have have made a fantastic start some of the pictures look superb!! Paul good luck to you this week please do keep in touch and let us know how its all going. Thinking about you Claire again some great images.Take Care
Lou
Nicola Maughan said,
November 5, 2007 @ 2:28 pm
Hello to Claire and everyone taking part in BUPA’s 60th Thailand Challenge!!
What an amazing project! It really sounds as if everyone is benefiting so much from this experience - the volunteers, the community, the project managers (!), and most importantly, the children.
It does sounds as if you are all working incredibly hard - although no doubt the effort involved is matched ten-fold by the utlimate reward of knowing you’ve been a part of something so special. I know it has inspired me to get involved in a similar project.
Best of luck for the remainder of the trip. I have every faith that it will continue to be a great success.
Keep up the hard work!
Love, Nic xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx