The last day for the first group at Sarnelli Orphanage
Hello everyone,
Well our final day at Sarnelli House is over for week one. I can’t believe it is over already,the experience here is flying by far too fast for my liking!
Today the weather was much better and we managed to get out and do more painting. We painted the outside of the girls home which has made a huge difference, although im going to be calling on all you second week volunteers to help with the final coat, so get your paint brushes ready! After lunch we started on the BUPA garden, which is looking beautiful already (even if i do say so myself). We worked hard and the rewards were enormous, as usual.
After our days work Father Mike held a leaving ceremony for the volunteers. Almost everyone was in tears and i think its fair to say that we will remember the experience forever. I know I will. Already, many plans have been made to support the orphanage long after this project has finished and so I am truely delighted.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers this week. Everyone has worked so hard and I feel very lucky to have met and worked with each and every one of them. I’m pleased to say that the experience has resulted in a number wanting to become Community Connections champions on their return, including many from the International businesses so I am looking forward to moving that forward on my return. The group has been enthusiastic, motivated, innovative, and great fun from day one and I’m sad to see them all go. We have had a lot of laughs along the way and a know some real friendships have been formed during this short time.
We leave for Bangkok tomorrow and there I will pick up the second group of volunteers. Here’s to the second week being as succesful as the first. What an amazing day.
Keep in touch!
Claire
Admin said,
November 1, 2007 @ 5:00 pm
Hi,
It’s great to have the pictures and really brings your experience alive to the rest of us. You’re all working hard out there and it looks like you’re making a huge impact.
Just thought I’d share with everyone who is out in Thailand or going out that this blog is getting about 360 views per day, you’re getting quite a following it seems.
Iain
KeithO'Donnell said,
November 1, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Hi all,
I’ve been following the blog all week - never knew what a BLOG was ’til this adventure started. I think you are all amazing for what you have done for the kids and the efforts you have all made to raise the funds to help the home and the kids. Paul, who sits next to me in Manchester is off tomorrow on the 2nd week - he flies down to Heathrow tomorrow afternoon to meet up for his flight to Bangkok. He, like the rest of you have made a superb effort to make this work - I congratulate you all - we gave a bucks fizz party for Paul today to celebrate. Having worked for BUPA for nearly 9 years I can honestly say this makes me truly proud of BUPA for such an amazing commitment- and well done to Community Connections for organising what must have been a big headache at times!! I’m going to cook my tea now in cold Manchester and have a little cry!! Well done week 1 and good luck week 2 - keep those kids laughing!!
Keith ( a rather soppy 53 yr old - but I have now vowed to do the BUPA Manchester run next year for the kids!! )
cookie32 said,
November 2, 2007 @ 11:09 am
Well it’s a dull Friday in Manchester, I’m full of a cold and reading the blogs and looking at the pictures from your final day out there is cheering me up no end! I’m glad the rain stopped and you managed to get some more of the work completed outside the orphanage.
I’ve already shed a few tears after reading Lindsays blog about leaving the children at the orphanage. I know before I even get out there that will be an emotional rollercoaster as I am far too soft for my own good!
Anyway guys, well done - you’ve made an amazing difference and I intend to carry on the good work when I get out there on 9th.
Safe journey home and see you next week Linds - you can tell me all about it!
Take care
Debs Cook xx
Alistair How said,
November 2, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
Well done to the week 1 team - you’ve set the bar high for everyone who follows. We often talk about reinvestment in our business - and here is the proof. Everyone has come back with a postive from when they went out and the lives of many children are being improved for ever.
Thank you and good luck to the next teams
Alistair How
Operations Director
Care Services