BUPA 60th Thailand Challenge

Probably one of the best days of my life. I can not describe. They are the most amazing people in the world. I want to surround myself with people like that.

We finished painting the ceiling of the girls orphanage and then after lunch went and bought 6 bikes, 2 go karts and 2 thomas the tank engine cars type things for the smallest children. Stufed them all in the back of a 4×4 and drove extremely sketchily back to the orphanage. Waited for the children to return home and then they gave us our fair well ceremony.

WOW!

Heart wrenching beyond any description. Everyone but paul and i were in complete tears, bless everyone. I some how managed to find the strength to sit through the thank you from father mike the head of the orphanage and then one by one the children came up to us all and tied some string on our wrists. We were there for about an hour with them all telling us they loved us, thanked us and Fern came upto me twice! The girl that i may have mentioned before. Only saw here twice, once at start ceremony monday and then at hte end tonight. I gave her a pink teddy to cuddle and told her i loved her, she understood and gave me a massive smile and hug. I’m crying my eyes out here telling you how much i was touched by this little girl. She is gorgeous. I so wish i could care for her myself.

Just after the string tying father mike asked if one of us would make a speech and everyone in the group said Steve! straight away. I dont know if it was planned or if i just generally had the respect of the group enough to be their choice. I cant understand it , i’m not this leader type am i? If so then its just another emphasis on the progress i have made that i gained such a respect that everyone in the group thought it fitting and appropriate that i should be the one to speak on behalf of them all. That is something i will never forget. Its all documented and asap i will show you!

Umm, what is going on? I stood up and gave my speech, telling everyone we all loved them very much and that we will return when we can, told them they were all amazing and hope that they will be happy! What an honour…. Crying a bit more…. umm, cough.. Rahh…ok …. Then i told them that we had some surprises and we gave out loads and loads of toys to everyone, and then we led them to the back of the room where we lifted the cover off the 4×4 and started unloading the bikes etc.

Only moments before just after giving out the smaller toys one small boy came up to me sad that he was not personally given a toy. I took his hand and led him down to the bikes and got him on one. His face lit up. Priceless. At that point i explained to one of the women helpers that she needed to explain that the bikes etc were for them all to share just incase they thought it was theirs personally, thing is they all have so little yet share it all anyway so i didnt really need to say it but i did incase of dissapointment. Mind blowing. Then played with them for ages, Fern would not leave my side. She had a go on a go kart i gave to her and then eventually it was time for the children to leave for their medication etc. Fern never spoke a word to me except for right at the end, she is a very quiet girl, her mum is deaf and a mute (as i may have mentioned before) but as she got on the bus she held out her arms and said steve! and gave me a massive cuddle. I have never been so sad and happy at the same time. What a complete paradox. So sad she was leaving, so glad i had reached far enough inside her sad heart for her to speak to me.

I’m on the greatest high with the most swirling emotions, heart is in my throat, head is shot to bits, running on crazy energy and all i can say right now is i want to feel this again and again. I have got to do more things like this. This is what life is about. Sharing, giving, caring, love, fun, happiness, smiling, no inhibitions, there is no time space in life for messing about. All that crap is so rediculous. Its the biggest load of rubbish and i hope i always remember what i have written here.

This e mail is the basis of any future plans in my life. OK, not always travelling the world giving at orphanages, it starts at home and when ever else i can do these things then i will. Whether this will hit home with all my family and friends at own i dont know but i have tried my best to lay it down as it is. If you feel this with me now then I have again helped to spread understanding of something i had no clue about recently. I’m a far better person for it and the biggest thank you to Bupa, week 2 group, Derek, all the people i have met in Thailand and most importantly to any one that helped me to raise the money that made the experience possible for me.

I cant emphasise enough though this was not a holiday like some of you may think, This was one of the hardest things i have ever done, you made it possible but most importantly!!! The children are in a better place thanks to every gesture from everyone big or small…. Its so frustrating coz i so want you all to understand the impact its had/having will have. Truely beautiful.

Steve.

Right now i am going for a beer. Cheeeeeers!