First day of work done!
Well what a few days it has been! We set off on Friday for our long journey up to Nong Khai and after a few funny moments on the train we arrived safe and sound. Father Mike and the children gave us the most wondeful welcome and today we got stuck into work. We are all exhausted but totally excited and over the moon to see the impact we are having already.We all look forward to hearing from you!
I’ll be in touch again soon,
Claire
claireatkinson said,
October 29, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Dear colleagues,
this is one of the most important experience in my life.
After a very long journey, to be with children in Sarnelli House has been really wonderful.They are lovely with an incredible good manners and they are so needed of love that they take your hands, and they are always given hugs and kisses to all of us.
We are very tired but very happy and lucky to be the ones chosen for this wonderful experience.
Thanks to all who has been involved in this event and have make it possible.
Rosa Berlanas (Spain)
Admin said,
October 29, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
Glad to hear things are going well and especially glad to see blogging works from Thailand.
claireatkinson said,
October 29, 2007 @ 2:17 pm
Betty Lauder here!
My first day at the orphanage has been very eventful as we managed to complete the painting of the girls home, which all the children were excited about. It was a very emotional day yesterday, meeting them all for the first time and seeing how well the ones with AIDS are being looked after and kept as well as they can be, having their daily medication.
Looking forward to the rest of the week with the children and babies.
Blog again soon.
Betty
Haywardo said,
October 29, 2007 @ 3:15 pm
Hello all..
Glad to hear you have all arrived safe & sound.. I want to know what happened on the train.. what were these funny moments..?..
Good to see you have made a good start on the work.. I hope Lindsay been doing some work ha ha.. Keep up the hardwork all..
Paul Haywardo
Sarah Cooper said,
October 29, 2007 @ 5:02 pm
Hi everyone (esp Lindsey)
I know from our trip to Jaipur how great it was to know that people
back in the UK were thinking about us so I’m sending you my best
wishes.
Make the most of your time out there. The time will go far too quickly.
What I do know is you’ll come back with lots of great memories which I
look forward to hearing about it.
Take care of yourselves
Sarah x
karen barker said,
October 29, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Hello all, I am off work at the moment with a strass fruacture to my foot i am so hoping that it mends well before I go out on the 26th I am so excited but nervous. Good to see you all have made a good start. Remember it all it will go so quick.
Good Luck
Karen
Teddies Nyrsery West Hampstead
siobhandrane said,
October 29, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Hi everyone!!
It sounds like you’re having an absolutely amazing time! I too am curious about the funny moments on the train!
The children sound adorable and with less than 2 weeks to go until I head out there, it’s so great to hear how well you’re all doing.
Keep blogging as it’s great to hear from you and good luck x
Siobhan
Debbie Cook said,
October 30, 2007 @ 9:58 am
Hi guys
Thanks for the blogs so far everyone - it’s great to read what has happened so far - It’s making me even more excited for the 9th Nov when I fly out with the week 3 crowd!
Linds - thanks for your message - sounds absolutely amazing. I just knew you would find Jack!! Sounds like the haribo went down well - Got my stash ready to pack!!
Anyway keep blogging and let us know how the week goes - sounds like it can’t get any better!!
Lots of hugs for the little ones and all you!
Have fun and work hard!
Debs xx
Loida Lopez (Spain) said,
October 30, 2007 @ 10:22 am
Hey all!
Thanks for your encouraging comments.
What amazing it must be. I can’t wait to be there on the third week.
Is there anything useful that we could bring?
Please, tell us what the children are like communicating themselves and other things we should be prepared to face!
This is a lovely experience. Enjoy your time there. I will in 10 days!!
Great to hear from you. Keep in touch Claire.
x Loi (BUPA International -Brighton)
lazuli1 said,
October 30, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
Wow!
Now it is starting to sink in.
Well i am glad it is going well for you all out there so far. Sounds amazing. Good luck to you all and well done.
Roll on friday! Steve. (week 2)
Gill Carson said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:50 pm
I hope it is all going well out there - it sounds like it will be amazing experience for all those involved over the next 6 weeks - the orphanage and the children will certainly reap the benefits of all your hard work, making it an incredibly worthwhile initiative.
Good luck and well done to all of you
Gill
Pippa Vowles said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Great to hear you all got there ok and fantastic to be able to read what you’ve been doing. Keep the blogs coming - let us know what you’ve got planned for the rest of the week - how do you priortise what needs to be done? Good luck Pippa
ana said,
October 30, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
Dear all,
Being in Thailand makes me feel as if I am dreaming!!!
We are working very hard to make sure everything is ready when children come from school. I am not able to describe how I feel when I see their faces looking at us after painting their room or their TV hall.
I really think that I took the right decision when coming to Thailand. I am pleased to be part of the BUPA’s team.
Thanks everyone who supports this challenge and who made it possible.
Ana
traversj said,
October 31, 2007 @ 3:01 pm
Jackie Travers said
October 31.2007 @13:55pm
sounds as if your having a great time, can’t wait to go. Wuold like to bring something/anything with us that might be of help, or even fun for the children. Any ideas? Enjoy your last couple of days.
Jackie T.
lindseyash said,
October 31, 2007 @ 6:03 pm
To Jackie T - I’m here at the moment, you can buy most thing like big bags of sweets which the kids love really cheap from the tesco in nong khai, everything is really cheap, we bought wome baby walkers for the babies for a fiver. The girls love pretty things like “hello Kitty’ which is really big over here but you can buy it over here - cheap. the boys love manchester united or any football shirts so if you can get anybody to donate their kids old kits thats good. make sure you bring a digital camera as they love looking at their pictures. to be honest i brought loads of stuff over in my case, but found out that spending the money over here will get you so much more, baby rattles etc are about 10p, there are about 10 babies, toddlers who dont have much so get some stuff when you get here, but a good tip is to bring some baby wipes over for the journey, as you will need it due to the heat when travelling for 2 days. it really is a life changing experience over here and the people are so warm and welcoming. best try to learn a few sayings in thai like ‘Saw de ka” which everyone says to you which means hello and goodbye which your hands clasped together and bow. anyway off to bed as its very tiring work but so rewarding you’ll love it, i wish i was you and coming back again soon. yours linzi
Helen Wright said,
October 31, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Oh my god im so excited now hearing all thats going on. Imgoing on the last week so have got a little time to wait but im sure it will come round quick!
It starting ot sink in now that im actually going!!!
Keep up the hard work guys, you can do it!!
Good luck
Ps what was the night train like?? im a bit worried about that bit!!!
Helen xx
lindseyash said,
October 31, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Hi Helen
dont worry its a funny experience i was worried but its great fun, the cabins are all air conditioned in fact we had to turn it off in the middle of the night as it got a bit cool. the train station is very basic but looks like manchester victoria from 150 years ago but you are in the 1st class cabins at the back of the train which has about 19 carriages. there are only about 10 1st class cabins and they are locked when you set off so the other people in the 2nd/3rd class cant come in into your carriage area. bupa have most of the 1st class, they look really small when you go in, i could stretch my arms out and touch both walls but then a man come s along about 10pm (you set off about 8.45 after a lovely meal in a great hotel called the twin towers in bankok) its 2 big bunks that come from the wall about 6ft long and really wide like a good size single bed and really comfy. as you are the last carriage on the train i have to be honest its nosy and bumby but take ear plugs and you should be ok, the cabins have a connecting door so you can open them up into the next carriage so four of you can have a really nice chat (2 in each cabin), if you make a friend whilst flying into bankok just ask to share with them no prob. take some face wipes for cleaning and a good book you have a little light at the side of you so you can read if your room mate wants to go to sleep, the journey takes about 13 hours its usually 2 hours late as it stops and starts and then speeds up and slows but it never goes fast. its a laugh and i never thought it would be . the tiolets are a bit difficult as in thailand they dont have a flush its a hole in the floor and a shower head that you wash it out with, so buy some tiolet paper at the station thats a must as they dont use tiolet paper in thailand, they douch! and get some fresh pastries from the shop at the station to eat for a snack and breakfast as well as lots of water which you can get from the station shop as the food you can order for breakfast on the train is terrible, tthey come round about 6am and not you up to see if you want the coffee you order the night before (but i wouldnt bother) as you dont get to nong khai till about 10am all in all if you have a good bunch you can have a laugh but take a good book, earplugs, baby wipes, water and something to eat for breakfast, you can get all this as the station. good luck you’ll love it linzi ash
mcqueenc said,
November 1, 2007 @ 8:27 am
It sounds as though youn are really having a great time and making a difference. I am on week 5 and cannot wait to get started. Keep the messages coming its great to know how everything is going.
Hope the SUN is out today for you all.
Tony Ward said,
November 5, 2007 @ 10:46 pm
Excellent pics and excellent yet again from Bupa Staff well done everybody well done Bupa
Andrew Vallance-Owen said,
November 6, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Hi everyone,
Great to read all about your experiences on the blog, you’re obviously doing wonderful things and having a good time.
Can’t wait to get there myself on Thursday…..I’m sure the team will be looking for some ’special’ work for me!
Looking forward to it.
Andrew V-O
krnbrkr said,
November 6, 2007 @ 11:41 am
Sounds like fun and I am not as apprehensive now.Did you all take cases or rucksacks.
Catriona perhaps we can catch up by email leebarkerka@aol.com as i have not met with anyone in my group yet.
Anything else that we should bring for the children?
Keep us upto date.
Enjoy.
Karen