BUPA 60th Thailand Challenge

Those five simple words from Father Mike just about sum it up.

The challenge is finally over and everything’s back to normal. Or is it? The experience might be over but the memories and spirit associated with Sarnelli House will stay with many forever. As one of the volunteers so succinctly put it, “we came to give and received so much more”.

We in Community Connections had hopes that this challenge would be a success for both the volunteers and the children of Sarnelli House. Never in our wildest dreams did we expect to be so overwhelmed with support and passion from the volunteers and everyone else who has contributed along the way.

Every single person involved in the BUPA 60th Anniversary Thailand Challenge should be immensely proud of their achievements, commitment and spirit. This challenge has shown what dedicated employees we have at BUPA and has united people up and down and across BUPA businesses around the world.

In summary, we achieved more work than we ever set out to do. Thanks to the absolute determination of each and every volunteer Sarnelli House now has: 

• Four newly re-decorated houses both inside and out
• A landscaped BUPA garden
• New beds for the older boys
• New furniture throughout all the buildings
• Four new sports courts
• Four new playgrounds
• New kitchen at the girls’ home (together with new appliance and a raised ceiling to make it bearable in summer)
• 20 new bathrooms
• Hot water allowing the children to have showers in the morning before school
• Protected rice fields so rice can be grown for the children each year
• Newly painted front fence and signs

Wow. A truly amazing achievement in just six weeks and it couldn’t have been done without you. 

Just as Sarnelli House will never be far from our minds it appears that you also made quite an impact during your time there. We heard from Father Mike just the other day and his honest words show how you have touched the lives of so many. We thought this would be the perfect time to share them with you:

 “We have photos of six weeks of BUPA volunteers and the kids can pick them out and give their names. I go home for five weeks and when I return, the wee ones stare at me like I have a bunghole growing out of the middle of my forehead. They can’t remember me. They sure do remember their favourites from BUPA. You haven’t just sent money from some unknown location from unknown people, but you are friendly, caring, loveable, huggable people who have entered their lives.

We will always be beholden to you. Thank you for all the BUPA people did. We look at the flower garden and the memorial, and miss you all deeply. Have a wonderful Christmas and all God’s blessings in the New Year!” Father Mike 

 Lots of love, Claire, Jo and Siobhan. 

Note: Please continue to use this blog. It is a way to help ensure Sarnelli House stays top of people’s minds and we will use it as a way of communicating future plans with you all. 

After two of the most amazing weeks at Sarnelli House, I feel mixed emotions about coming home. On one hand I am totally distraught to be leaving the children and the workers of Sarnelli House, as they are all truly amazing and I have grown so close to them all during my time here.   However, I am so delighted to see the project turn into such an amazing success and I know that this will continue with the remaining groups (they will be in very safe hands).

I think when Father Mike and the Sarnelli House team were first to learn that 60 BUPA staff were coming out to work at their home for six weeks, I think they were more than a little daunted and did not quite know what to expect. They have never had such support before and I think they thought there had to be a catch somewhere. However, today Father Mike pulled me over to one side to thank Community Connections for putting this project together and said that it had exceeded all his expectations. He praised the volunteers from both weeks, commenting on their cheery natures, enthusiasm and how great everyone has been with the kids. He also said how impressed he was with what we have achieved during our time here and how both the staff and children had commented on how much better the homes are looking already, so WELL DONE all you great volunteers!

As I am working most of the time I have not really had the time to let myself take it all in and get too emotional. However, today I wasn’t allowed to film the leaving ceremony and was ordered by Derek to go up with the volunteers. I then had all of the children come and tie my wrist with to wish me love and luck and a safe journey home. The tie symbolises that even though you leave Sarnelli House, part of your spirit stays with them. I was holding it together when the kids were coming up, but I lost it a bit when the workers were coming up to thank me, as they have been such a help to me during my time here. It all came to a head in my mind, firstly that i was leaving, secondly that it has been a huge success for both the volunteers and the orphanage and then of course, the reason why we are here in the first place, to help these wonderful people. My chin started trembling and so I thought - oh God, here goes! Claire get back to work quick!

As I’m sure you are sick of reading, this experience will stay with me all my life and I am hopefully going to get myself back here next year to see them all again. I am also excited about encouraging others to help on my return to the cold UK and continue the support of this fantastic organisation.

I want to wish Siobian the very best of luck for the next two weeks. I know you will be fantastic and although I’m sure you are feeling quite nervous at this time, try not to, as it will be great.

Thank you all so much for reading our blogs. It is so great to know that people back home are taking an interest in this cause and I am truly delighted to hear the challenge now has quite a following.

BEST OF LUCK WEEK THREE!

Claire x

Video Diaries from week one

• Lindsay Ash
• Rosa María Berlanas Ángulo
• Ana Tuduri
• Betty Lauder
• Chelsea Coates

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

Day three at the orphanage and we encounter our first slight set back - torrential rain! Yes, in true Thailand fashion in has rained all day and rained HARD. However, we didn’t let this hold us back, it just resulted in a slight change in schedule. In light of the weather we travelled to Udon Thani, the nearest city, to pick up some curtains, cushions and other decorative bits to really finish off our work in the girls home. We then returned to sew, scatter cushions and basically give feminine touch to the dorm and the TV room. Seemed only appropriate being the only girl group! It was absolutely amazing to see how much it lifted both rooms and really highlighted how great the work we had done on the previous two days. The girls and the workers loved it and helped us as we worked late so again it ended up being a very special day.

 CTN and Chris Garner, Director of Human Resources for BUPA Internationa Businesses left yesterday. We were all very sad to see them go especially Chris Garner, as he worked so hard with us during his time here and we really appreciated his support. Father Mike held a small leaving ceremony for them say thank you, which resulted in quite a few tears. It was extremely moving.

 Tomorrow is the last day at the orphanage for group one. I know that many of the volunteers are already dreading it as they find it hard enough to say goodbye as it is! We are making a start on the BUPA garden tomorrow so fingers crossed the sun comes out again.

I’ll let you know how we get on tomorrow. Keep in touch, we all love reading your messages. I have uploaded a few pics for you to have a look at. Enjoy!

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

 We are all so excited about the Thailand, seeing the orphanage and meeting the children.

The first group fly out on Friday and we cannot wait!