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. 

..have now been uploaded to the Community Connections intranet site, follow the links to see what the volunteers had to say on their experiences whilst in Thailand.

• Paul Hayward
• Steve Dickson
• Brian Haynes
• Jackie Seymour
• Yu Wai Sze Karen
• Sharon Gowing
• Andrew Walton
• Lesley Hilton
• Barbara Ratcliffe

Happy viewing!

Claire

I don’t think I can explain in words how I am feeling today. I am normally a fairly level headed kind of girl, take most things in my stride, however quite emotional! Well today was the day I lost it! After we had finished painting the ceiling at the girls home we went and got some plants for the garden whilst the boys shopped for bikes etc. The garden was at the temporary home for the babies and where ‘Hippo’ is. She is a little girl who was born at 6 months and then orphaned. They don’t know yet if she had aids but has a misshaped head and is obviously a little under developed, but just gorgeous as you can see from the photo. As we were doing the garden I thought I would just pop in for a cuddle but she was on a machine getting medication, and that was it for me I just had to go outside and have a good cry as I felt so helpless! I went back later in the afternoon and took her for a walk and she fell asleep on me, for all you mums out there you know how that feels! Later in the afternoon we went to the leaving ceremony that the kids had put on for us, you would not believe the emotional mess we were all in. My eyes are still puffy and was not helped by reading the other blogs. They say real men don’t cry well the guys we have had with us this week are real men and it was heartbreaking to see them so upset. However it brings it home that we all have so much to give others even if you don’t think you have. We came overe here expecting to give but we are taking home much more. I only hope that when the six weeks are over we don’t forget this opportunity we have been given and can carry on supporting the children in any way we can because if anything we have learnt that a smile. a cuddle, a game of football. a packet of haribos can change a life

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

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!

Hello all..

Well what can I say, (like Steve said) this has without been one of the best days of my life. Its been perfect. We went to the girls home 1st thing this morning to finish off the ceilings… Its looks good.. Then it was off to the Sarnelli for a quick bite to eat for dinner, but this time the journey was different, instead of the usual bus ride Andrew, Steve & I got on the back for a 4×4 going through rural north-east Thailand AMAZING. Then after lunch we finished the boys rooms at Sarnelli house & it was off to Tesco.. unbelievable. We bought about 12 bikes..(Then on the way bk I had 2 get on the bk of the 4×4 with all the bikes - dodgy) It looked really good though when we were outside waiting for the 4×4 seeing all those new bikes for the children..

then it was the goodbye ceremony… it was brilliant, most of the group were in tears but I loved it, they were all so happy with there gifts.. I gave the footie tops to some of the lads they were smiling, I have a lovely shot of Manu in his new Man U shirt.. but it was all so good.. They have so much energy… brilliant

I really don’t know how to describe today, its been amazing it really has, I will show/tell everyone when I get home you can see my pics.

I just want to a big thank you to the week 2 team – its been a pleasure working with you all, I tell you what we have some characters.. and also a massive thank you to Derek & Claire, you’ve been amazing.. as I’m sure everyone from week one would echo..

This is my last blog now..

Its been amazing.. TOTALLY AMAZING…

For everyone reading this that hasn’t been to Sarnelli House, please remember we don’t know how lucky we are. We really don’t. Everybody should live for today and enjoy the main 2 things in life health & Happiness..

An emotional but happy Paul Hayward in Nong Khai.

P’s Kerry see u soon xx x

Hello all,

Group two have really worked hard this week and have achieved a great deal. Not only have we almost completely finished the work at the girls home, but also the older boys room and the younger boys two dressing rooms. I shall attach some pics so that you can see the masterpieces and the vast improvements with your own eyes!

I have also taken the volunteers to see the new basketball courts and tomorrow we start work on the BUPA garden. Spades at the ready! The week has absolutely flown and I cant quite believe it is my last day at the orphanage tomorrow. I know i’m going to miss the children so much and it’s going to be strange not seeing their lovely faces everyday. But i will be happy to know that some fantastic work is going to be done in the next few weeks by some great people and I will be eagerly watching the blog to see how everything is getting on.

Enjoy the pics!

Claire

Well yet another day of hard graft at Sarnelli House today and I’m pleased to say that the volunteers have been superb. They have worked reallly hard and we have nearly finished the work at Vienkuk girls home, although we found the detail work to take longer than expected. Tomorrow we go to Sarnelli House to start the decoratoing there. It is a big job and I know the vols are all really looking forward to getting stuck in to their own project.

After we finished at Vienkhuk we headed back to see the kids for a couple of hours and I think it is fair to say that the children wore everyone out more than the work! I’ll have to crack the whip harder tomorrow I think. To finish off the day Derek and I decided to take the group out for a fantastic Thai meal at a market restaurant. Amazing food and all in all I think all in all everyone has had a great day.

Here’s to tomorrow!

Claire