Weather awful here so thinking of you all out there on week 6. Arrived home, upset to leave but very happy of what we achieved last week and what has been done on the previous weeks. Way to go ! Thought I’d upload a few pics of us from last week, haven’t got around to much more than loading on PC yet … but will. Love Trace x
I cannot quite believe I am writing my blog entry for week six! How fast this time has gone.
I am so delighted to see that the volunteers this week are enjoying the experience at Sarnelli as much as the others. You are all extremely lucky to be present for the King’s birthday and I’m really looking forward to reading all about it. But for now I just want to say keep up the good work. You’re all doing great.
I feel so sad that the challenge is nearly at an end but totally delighted with what has been achieved. The challenge may be nearly over but BUPA’S support of Sarnelli House certainly isn’t!
Well done Jo, keep up the good work.
Thinking of you all
Claire
2nd Dec 2007
I met the children today what was funny about it was; they thought I am a Thai and spoken to me in thai or even asked if I am and expected me to reply in thai. I can’t blame them we came from the same ancestral origin ( Indochinese-now mixed blood with multi-ethnic groups). Since we came, we were surrounded with charming and adorable boys and girls with a big warm smile on their faces. We distributed our presents to each one of them as more and more came running to get their share. As they gathered around me and introduced themselves, I opened and laid the presents on the table I brought for them ( pens, books, pencils, markers, papers, balloons, etc.) Each one of them picked their favorite colors and started to draw, write, colored pictures and some blew up the balloons and wrote a message on it. I was touched by the thoughtfulness of this 12 year old girl WOW who wrote on the balloon I LOVE YOU JOY and wanted me to keep it. WOW kept following me wherever I go and sat beside me all throughout the day we were there. They loved reading or scanning the pages of the story books, eventhough they got a hard time reading the words. THANKS GUYS- Amberley Court staff, residents, relatives, visitors, friends, etc. for your generosity. They do LOVE your presents.
Then a WELCOME PROGRAMME began, a showcase of talents of young boys and girls. A girl named PEN after her dance performance and pizza break spotted me in the crowd and started to hold my hand, grabbing my shirt and calling out my name to catch my attention. As they follow me wherever I go, I took photos of them in the park. Whilst the men played basketball with the boys; i was with the girls in the playground as they show-off their skills e.g. hang in the bars, slides, swings, seesaw,etc.
Before WOW departed she told me it will be her birthday on the 6th Dec and wanted to see me again on that day. ( She lives in Girls Home, Vieng Khuk). She came back to me from the van which will take her home; cause she forgotten to kiss and hug me. PEN wanted me to carry her and take her to the treatment room to take her medicines. As we were about to say goodbye, PEN hug me and said she wanted to go with me in England (what a sweet little girl) and kissed me and waved goodbye.
This is the closest contact and encounter I have experienced with AIDS/HIV children. I LOVE the experience which I want to remember over and over again or treasure in my memory forever. After a tiresome enjoyable day; this is an experience I want to have another go.
joy guetes
Well, it’s the sixth week of the 60th anniversary Thailand challenge and the last group met the children today and saw all the fantastic work the previous five weeks have accomplished. After seeing what week 5 managed to get done in just four days, the gauntlet has well and truly been thrown down for the ‘A Team’ this week - a particularly challenging task as we only have three days to complete a huge amount. But having now spent 24 hours or so (much of that on an interesting train journey in very enclosed spaces) I know this group will rise to the challenge.
Being able to celebrate the King’s birthday on Wednesday with the children and amazing staff at Sarnelli House will truly be something special and we plan to work extra hard to make up the lost day of work. We practiced the King’s song with the children this evening (they were fabulous, we had issues) and can’t wait to hear it for real on Wednesday.
That’s all for now, will write again soon.
Jo x
It is certainly a difficult task to put into the words the feelings running through all of the wonderful week 5 team at the moment without repeating the words already said in the previous 4 weeks, or without it feeling like a cliche.
Today is our last day in Nong Khai and as I type everyone is packing away their things and reflecting on what has been. As for me, from the moment the team met until the time we say our goodbyes tomorrow, I have been part of something truly special. A truly life changing experience in every sense.
The work was tackled with gusto and every hour of every working day, we could see the environment for the children improving immeasurably. Our team with hardwork and teamwork transformed the front of the main Sarnelli House, the inside of the main building, bedrooms, gardens, the children’s sick room, front gate and wall and of course the signs!! Sarnelli House now says loud and proud what a special place it is.
And as for the children……..
Without doubt the interaction with every child was the most moving and special part of the trip. Having read the context with which they came to Sarnelli House and to see them thrive and develop in such a special environment was the most amazing thing. From the minute we met them last Sunday, there were no barriers, each and every one of us instantly made friends we will never forget. My friends, Net, Geow, Top, Leow, Mut and Nong greeting me with such warmth and enthusiasm every time they came home from school that these images will never fade from my memory. Language was never an issue, the smiles were enough.
The final day included words from Father Mike and a thank you ceremony from the children that would turn the most hardened person to mush. I had held it together well (which is more than I can say for BFJ), until right at the end, after I had said goodbyes that I didn’t want to end, when Net started crying as the minibus pulled away. Needless to say the journey back to the hotel was in complete silence as everyone tried to make sense of how they were feeling.
Put simply, this has been a truly memorable trip and the feelings I have for Sarnelli House, all the staff, the wonderful children and my 11 new best friends will never leave me.
Good luck week 6
Adam
Well computer now working in room for first time on our last day so will b lots of blogs today.
Just arrived back from our favourite Thai eating place….it was shut so ate in hotel…reflecting on yesterday our last day at Sarnelli….more tears!!!This evening is going to be hard for everyone as it is the fainality and realisation that we are going home to our families but these are the people that you have shared a life changing experience with and you will want to talk lots more about it in the weeks to come.
Please if you are reading these blogs and you want to do more contact one of the volunteers. What has been achieved here over the last few weeks is amazing and all down to the Bupa teams…..week 6 you will have a fantastic time.
I said my goodbyes yesterday to each child and finally Man u….this little boy has Aids, cannot walk without the aid of a frame or my arms, I had just given him his daily dose of 4 syringes of various medicines all without fuss and a massive grin on his face….look out for him and give him a huge hug…all the other children can walk up to you he cant!!! The children have huge amounts of love to give and share hugs and smiles everyday……perhaps we can learn from that when we are all having a bad day….its easier if you SMILE.
Helen I wish I could stay and wait for you to share the experience again….enjoy.
Thanks Dirty Dozen ,Adam and Julia you kept me sane we had a ball missing you already.. My wee scottish friends will miss you,Princes Anastazia Keep in touch. Luke my second son your mum will be so proud,Whirling Dervish… keep positive because you can, Jacky and Mrs P Glad you were on our team, Little Kiwi and Mr Derek Thank you.
Well this is it the last day in NongKhai for week 5 and what a week it has been. An emotional journey that I am not sure unless you have experienced Sarnelli that I will ever be able to put into words so that you can all share it with me, I wish I could bottle every moment.
I have met the most amazing,AWESOME(Joanne) people who have been an inspiration to me and will miss more than they know…..lets hope that we all keep in touch we have shared so much together……lunch now will finish later.
Miss you all so mucH seeyou next week Karen X
Promised a blog tonight sorry it’s not going to be long. Well what can I say not a lot tonight but about today, last day at the orphanage: wonderful, fantastic, emotional, happy, sad, heart breaking, etc. For all of you like me who have been so lucky to come how can you put it into words the children, Father Mike, all the numerous other people out here we’ve met the whole experience and today all I can think to say is …………. well I can’t not tonight really really sorry ! For anyone else - we’re all ok, won’t forget this (ever) just want you all to know that. Thanks so much for the messages of support left re today means a lot out here to all of us on week 5. The time is almost over, it has gone so so quick, exhausted - going for a G&T I’ll write more tomorrow thanks xxx
