+- Punaweb Forum (http://punaweb.org/forum)
+-- Forum: Punaweb Forums (http://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: Punatalk (http://punaweb.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=10)
+--- Thread: Thai Project (/showthread.php?tid=1792)
Thai Project - pslamont - 01-24-2008
You all know me by now.. that crazy lady with some cause or other all the time. Yep, that is me. Well, here in Thailand, I am in a little village most of the time in the Omkoi district. This is in the North West part of the country, isolated from most everything. I am living with the people of National Geographic and have the photos to demonstrate that!
I have been graciously provided with a little house of my own in the village by a man from the UK. It came with a 16 year old girl to take care of me. Yikes!! Upon some exploration, I discovered a few things.
1. She was about to be discontinued in school. Her tuition has not been paid and hard as mom tries, she can barely feed her 5 chldren. She is a semester behind. Tuition is not that much but against food.... so of course I paid not only the past due tuition but all her tuition for three full years so she is guaranteed to graduate high school.
2. In investigating the family living situation I found a three room bamboo hut with the floor collapsing and leaning sadly to one side. Dad is your basic alcoholic, feeling helpless and hopeless. They are both illiterate. Culture here does not allow for her to leave him. These are the Karen Hill people, not regular Thai's. So, of course, I began helping mom with some food to supplement their 95% diet os rice. It is amazing what a little vegetable and fruit addition does.... For the first time since my week in the villae, I saw dad not drinking at 4 PM and instead sitting on the floor with his wife and children eating. Maybe a little hope goes a long way? Home made whiiskey is unfortunately available for less than food...
3. So why am I telling you this? To make myself sound generous? NOPE. And you probably guessed it. I NEED HELP. I have found a local builder who can keep the roof and the corner posts, tear out the bamboo walls and floor and replace them with wood. I need $1000. That's it. It's not much but a lot on my current budget. So, if anyone has any interest in helping out, even a $20 donation would make a difference. $100 would make my heart pound. Anything would really help me with this project right now.
Mom weaves cloth at night. A buyer comes through once a year and leaves thread, collects the cloth and pays her a little. With this she buys rice for the year. The odd jobs she does during the day include everyting from gardening to mixing cement... I have photos to show it. As hungry as her family may be, I saw the other day an old woman come by and ask for some lettuce from the garden. She did not hesitate but pulled two nice heads and gave them to her. With an interpreter I learned that the old woman has no family and begs food daily. She is 80 and alone. Everyone feeds her a little. This is truely a village.
Punaweb is a village too. I know I have no right, but I am asking anyway. If you can send anything at all, just mail it to Pam Lamont, PO Box 1264, mountain view, 96771. Mark the envelope "Thai Project" and husband Bob wll put it in the bank so I can draw it out here.
I know it is a lot to ask but you guys are the best. If we just get them sheltered a little better before the rains season, we are busy planting gardens for more vegetables, etc... the eldest girl is going to finish school and that will be the driving force for the rest of the smaller ones too. We can change an entire family's life here.
Feel free to email me directly if you have anything negative to say pslamont@yahoo.com . Let's keep things positive on here. I do understand that I am asking a LOT for a family that is not in Puna.
Thank you. (Khap Kun Ka'a).
Pam
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
RE: Thai Project - nanasohana - 01-24-2008
I don't think you ask too much. I bet most of us can chip in a little.
RE: Thai Project - canhle - 01-24-2008
Pam,
It is wonderful what you are doing. I used to live in such condition and understand what you are talking about. I will put the check in the mail tomorrow. It will not be much because i have committed myself to other causes. But I hope it helps. Again, thanks for doing what you are doing. The world can always use more people like you. Pleae say hello to Theo for me.
Aloha
canh
canhle
RE: Thai Project - dmbwest - 01-24-2008
Pam, not to sound mean but hit that 1K guy on the head and tell him 1/2. 1K is insane for up there, believe me.
Good on you for everything .... will send what i can. Can you buy fabric from her ?
Aloha,
pog
Edit ... nice Hawaiian 'accent' on Ka'a. : ) "ka" > o.k. over there for polite women ... : ) Rising tone + a smile on the "Ka" even more fun for Thais.
RE: Thai Project - Nate SC - 01-25-2008
Here's the deal, because I know you and know you have the most genuine good heart that I have met in a long time, I'm in. I'm not paying for anything non-sustainable, if thats ok with you. What I want the money to go to is farm animals. They can raise and breed, Ducks, chickens, cows, or whatever it may be. But please spend it on animals.
$500 for the sob story and $500 cuz i'm borrowing your tools and trailer in May to do my place<smoochies>. I'll send the check out to Bob today. Your "moving on up!" got a p.o. box and all now...lol..no'mo' general mail ??
"Teach a man to fish"
and if the "Man" comes for me, my name better be worth hiding me in that village for like ? 6 months rent free...lol...till i can get my new I.D.
RE: Thai Project - Carolann R - 01-25-2008
OMG Nate...what a generous person you are. Pam...next sale I make goes to you and your family in Thailand! It's nice to get inspired. Thanks Nate.
Carrie
http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com
http://thedb.com/vintageandvelvet
"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2
RE: Thai Project - jdirgo - 01-25-2008
..in the mail, as soon as I can get some stamps...
John Dirgo, R, ABR, e-PRO
Aloha Coast Realty, LLC
808-987-9243 cell
http://www.alohacoastrealty.com
RE: Thai Project - Bullwinkle - 01-25-2008
Pam - check your paypal account
regards
RE: Thai Project - Kapohocat - 01-25-2008
I'll nudge SB since I just did their payroll!!
RE: Thai Project - rbonplaza - 01-25-2008
Pam, the check is in the mail from Ed and Ralph. When are you returning to Puna? We're back at the end of February. I announced my retirement this week, so our plan is to finally land for good on the BI in June of 09. Thank you for your great work!