A truly remarkable place!
Sa-wat dee (Thai for hello!)
It’s not often that I am lost for words but I have found it very difficult to write a blog this week so apologies that this is my first entry (and for its length). I have struggled to write a blog for fear of trivialising something very serious through platitudes, or over-dramatising something which, when you’re amongst it, feels very normal. And I think therein lies the problem – for something so extraordinary as Sarnelli House to me and the rest of my fellow volunteers, the life the children and staff at Sarnelli lead and the situation they find themselves in is so very ‘normal’!
When you’re in an extra-ordinary situation, surrounded by extra-ordinary people and children it’s hard to reconcile that with the routine the children have (which is probably very ordinary and mundane to them). Watching them return from school is a joy to behold. They get off the school bus, hang up their school rucksacks, take off their school uniforms (putting them in the washing basket), shower and get changed, have dinner, play some games or watch TV before going to bed. A similar routine to every kid in the UK including my own nephews (except that the children at Sarnelli do it with such discipline it’s remarkable). In fact, at first sight the only difference between these and other children is that after dinner these children will collect their own mug (neatly put away in a wood cupboard with each child’s name underneath), line up in perfect order and receive the AVR (anti-retroviral) drugs they need to manage their HIV/AIDS conditions. Without this task (which is seemingly insignificant to the children) their evenings would be very ordinary.
But there is so much which is extraordinary in their lives and you don’t always notice it. The fact that there are 60+ children living under the same roof, that none of these children live with their parents, the fact that many of the children have seen things that we’d find disturbing even imagining. This you don’t always notice because the children are happy, content, and set in a routine which gives them love and care.
This really is a remarkable place and I have been privileged to see it.
Now there are a few things I’d like to write but I haven’t got the ability to formulate them into coherent paragraphs and I don’t want to write history’s longest blog so I will keep the points short:
· Thanks to everyone who sponsored me and made it possible for me to come here. Your kind donations have been very well spent.
· Thanks to the group who I went with and Siobhan our leader. It’s been great working with and getting to know you all. What a journey…and I don’t just mean the travelling!
· Kids who are loved want Nintendo Wii’s (amongst other things). The kids at Sarnelli want love.
The simple pleasure they get from being hugged, picked up or holding your hand is similar to the feeling of being able to give someone you know the best present they’d ever wanted, a hundred times a day.
· One of the children (Palm) taught me to count to 100, say the months of the year and days of the week in Thai. I’ve never seen anyone so proud when I recounted what he’d taught me, shook his hand and called him my teacher (In Thai of course). He then dragged me around and made me perform my new trick in front of the staff and children at Sarnelli House. I’m not sure they have ever heard and Englishman count in Thai with a Geordie accent (and for some reason I couldn’t help adding a hint of French to some words!?!) No wonder they laughed.
· The man who set up and runs Sarnelli House (Fr Mike Shea) and all those who assist him have the face of God and I pray that He gives them strength, health and encouragement to continue their work.
· Something I have wanted to get off my chest as it has made me boiling mad all week. I am a practising Catholic and all the children go to a Catholic school run by nuns (children with HIV/AIDS aren’t allowed to attend state schools). The Catholic nuns have tried to stop some of the children going to school but if one of the children is removed all will be removed and they can’t afford that so they stay. This is outrageous, anyone coming to Sarnelli House will not fail to see that all the children there are all children of God and should be welcomed and treat as such.
· And finally, good luck to the following weeks (week 5 there now) and week 6 to follow. You will each have your own wonderful experience and I hope to share it with you when you’re back. Ps. The yellow gloss is a nightmare.
Best wishes,
Andy.
Ceri said,
November 28, 2007 @ 8:42 am
Andy
Thanks for such an eloquent blog, glad you got so much out of the trip, it sounds amazing for so many reasons.
Best wishes
Ceri
David Stanford said,
November 28, 2007 @ 8:57 am
Andy,
Your experience sounds amazing and I envy you. The Thai children sound incredible and very humble.
Well done for representing not only BUPA but also the people of England.
Regards
Dave
Iain Colledge said,
November 28, 2007 @ 9:28 am
“Well done for representing not only BUPA but also the people of England.”
Don’t forget that BUPA people from around the world are taking part.
Iain
Debbie Cook said,
November 28, 2007 @ 11:29 am
Hi Andy
Your blog sums up exactly how life is at sarnelli and as I read it I could only think that I agree with every single word. The staff and children can teach us a lot about how the simplest things in life make such a huge difference - holding a childs hand, giving them some time, helping them with their homework and just loving them. The most vivid memory for me was walking into the orphanage and feeling like I was in a childrens playground full of happy smiling faces - not a sick child in sight. However what hit home was that these children have all been brought together, they have no parents and have each experienced things so horrible that they share a common bond.
Watching them queue up to take their AVR drugs was heartbreaking as the discipline they show in doing this is like nothing else. The thing is though, these children don;t even realise that what they taking is anything out of the ordinary - it’s part of their routine twice a day. This is what really made me think that these children are amazing little people as what they have to cope with is far more than any of us lucky people back in the UK will ever have to face.
It makes you think…………..it really does. We should be VERY thankful for everything that we have and whenever we can give something back, WE SHOULD.
Debs xxx
Jules said,
November 28, 2007 @ 2:30 pm
Wow Andy - you have said so eloquently, what I’m sure everyone who has taken place on the challenge, thinks and feels.
I can see why you have only now completed your epic blog rather than daily updates whilst we were out there.
Thanks for invoking strong feelings on a truly amazing experience.
Love ya
Jules XXX
alison platt said,
November 28, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
Andy,
What a fantastic blog - except my mascara is now ruined !
My own son is six and the points you make about the similarities of a child’s needs regardless of background are astounding. The differences these children have to cope with though is a timely reminder of how grateful we should all be for the lives we lead.
Cliched and corny though it may sound i am so proud to work for a company that makes time to do something like this - even more proud to work with the people that have made it all happen.
Well done all of you.
Alison.
Alison said,
November 29, 2007 @ 8:28 pm
Another Alison wrote that she is proud to work for a company that makes time to do something like this and even more proud to work with the people that make it happen. I have to say I am even more proud because your my baby brother and you are one of the people
that make it happen, I don’t even think proud is a big enough word to use.
I love you, we all do.
Alison
xx
TNT said,
November 30, 2007 @ 8:07 am
Andy
I am sat at my desk with tears streaming down my chubby fortunate face. The cleaner is looking at me like I have had some kind of break down!
It takes people like you to make us realise how much more we need to do to support chlidren like those at Sarnelli house, you really have made a difference, thank you for giving me the chance to help.
J
ken brearton said,
November 30, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Andy
I knew you would be atrue ambassador not just for Spire but for mankind, I am sitting at my desk wiping the tears fro my eyes, its only 8.30 am , I think I will need a box by the days end, Nobody should have to endure the pain these children have suffered, I am deeply deeply touched by their story and your beutiful words. may God give strength to you and to the children and their carers, There is good in the world, and this has been clealy demonstrated. I am so glad that these palces exist to take away the hurt.
Well done for having the grace and strength to take part, and treat these children as they truly dererve to be treated.
pam brown said,
November 30, 2007 @ 10:35 am
final blog from pam!
To the dirty dozen I send you my thanks for making this trip such an adventure and so rewarding.
Oz julia, associated with harrogate, for making us laugh,and learning to speak such perfect english
Adam, for his words of wisdom and voice of reason, over my “fillet steak”!
jackie for her determination to keep going despite everything
pauline for her amazing energy
catriona for being my buddy on the gate
ian for being such a gentleman and being there to get the lids off the paint tins when it just wouldn’t open!
anastazia for being the gaffer and cracking the whip
karen for being such a great gal and thank god knew she how to stencil !!
Luke for being fantastic and a son to be proud of
tracy for being tracy….lunatic in motion a heart of gold
last but not least to jo…..thanks for being there and helping to make this happen
my love to you all
Pam
Sian said,
November 30, 2007 @ 10:39 am
A very elequent account of what has obviously been a very moving and life changing experienc for you Andy. There is no doubt that you would have touched the hearts of the children you came into contact with, and they will smile when they think of you counting in that extrodinary mellay of accents! Your plans to return and sponser children ther are admirable, and I can see that you will make a difference to them.
You must be both so proud and humble at the same time. I am.
Sian
x
Roanna said,
November 30, 2007 @ 11:48 am
Hi Andy,
It seems very emotional and you have done a fantastic job you have made everyone really really proud.
Love Ya
Roanna xx
Alison da silva said,
November 30, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
Yes, another Alison, but I am the luckiest because I have the pleasure of spending most days with Andy at The Cheshire Hospital where we both work -
I’ve travelled widely in the last eight years and have been fortunate to visit Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. I’ve seen some of what you’ve experienced at first hand, particularly in Cambodia where the outstanding courage of the people following a barbaric history made them the proudest warmest and happiest people on earth. I however have never done what Andy has done, my holidays to these places have been 5* luxury, I am humbled at what you and the team from BUPA have achieved and adopting a child is the least I can do.
Andy, you are a special person, you will make a difference to the lives of these people.
the other Alison
da Silva (boss!!!)
Claire Woolley said,
December 4, 2007 @ 11:08 am
Andy
Given I am on maternity leave at the mo & am somewhat emotional anyway, it’s no wonder I am moved by your blog. I am not suprised at all at how you are able to put into words so easily and with such feeling your experiences in Thailand. I am so pleased that our donations helped and I do feel very humbled now after having set my PC on fire buying Christmas presents for my 2 children on line today. Hope to see you soon. Claire Hair!! x
Gary said,
December 10, 2007 @ 10:21 pm
Andy,
Great blog.
Great that you did thiis. I think it is great you raise an issue with the Catholic Church. My brother in law’s mlother used to run a similar place in South Africa for Africaan children. A continent beset with people who are not only living with HIV / AIDS, but so many sadly gone Desmond Tutu was so right when he recenly said the Anglican Church iis obsesesd with sexuality rather than the true ‘Christian Message’ I think this applies to not just the Catholiic Church but beyond. How you treat and view others in your life is so much more important than some bizzare message - as Desmond said.
Thanks again for this Andy and BUPA. I feel so pleaed to work for an organisation that is raising this.