Thai Project

[John S. Rabi]

Very well said Nate! That's the problem with this world, people expect handouts and expext nothing to do in return. That's why I only donate to animal organizations. Animals are really helpless.

Aloha,
John S. Rabi ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
"The Next Level of Service!"

[Bullwinkle]

One of the most difficult lessons I ever learned..........

"the true nature and value of a gift is in the giving"

once givin one needs to let it go (i.e. dump the expectations) or dont go there ......

the philosophy has served me well once "I got it"

just my 2 cents

regards, Bullwinkle

[Punamom]

[When I was a child the USDA gave out food rations of butter, peanut butter, canned pork and other stuff in big ass #10 cans.]quote

You had it good all we ever had was instant mashed potatoes. But that canned pork is so yummy (with sauerkraut)I'd pay top dollar!

Isn't this for the kids? I'd say forget the drunk Dad, all this charity will probably send him on a guilt bender.

I also remind myself when I give and get charity that folks do what they can, it may not be now, but at some point in our long lives it will "come around,go around,pay it forward".

Thanks everyone who tries to make this a better world even if its just a smile or one moment,one person,one family at a time.

JSR if you want to end animal cruelty/over population start with children (talk about helpless) They will dictate the future for our culture,our world.

[Carolann R]

Thanks Bullwinkle. When those guys on the freeways who are my age or way younger are holding a sign asking for money, I wouldn't give because I "knew" they be down the road to get their next drink.

Then someone reminded me that when a gift is given, it's not up to me what happens to it after that point. It's a gift and we need to trust that in the spirit of giving it was the right thing to do.

It makes sense what you say, Nate. People dependent on self-pity are unattractive. I too am clean and sober (14 years in March). I don't really care to hear other's inventories or to pass judgment on others about their drinking or drugging. It's not MY deal. It's a personal decision and all on their plate. Gave up smoking (again) one year ago and I have to admit that sometimes sitting next to a smoker isn't something I avoid (a true addict? LOL). That's their thing and if it bothers me - I move.

What Pam is doing is what tugs on her heart. She is the kind of person who sees those less fortunate and tries to make it better. Whether it's with her foster kids or a dirt poor family that has crossed her path. I don't think she can help it. It's a good thing.

Hope you guys can come to a conclusion here that is beneficial to all involved. You're all awesome as far as I am concerned...wish I had the ability to help at this point...my time will come I'm sure.

Thanks.[]

Carrie

http://www.carrierojo.etsy.com
http://www.vintageandvelvet.blogspot.com

"Freedom has a scent like the top of a newborn baby's head..." U2

[pslamont]

Wow, Nate. Take a deep breath. I did NOT make a demand and I WILL follow your conditions. If that were not so, I would not ask. Please trust me. Your funds will go for sustainable supplies only, as you have asked.

I am returning to the village this evening. Had the first part of my surgery, made the 4 hour bus trip to Chiang Rai and then Masai to the Myanmar border to get my visa renewed. I have 30 days to get finished than back to Puna for me for about 6 months.

The building repair on the home is indeed in deference t the children. Nate, however, is right on many levels. He is looking further ahead.

We have enough money for the building project with the last bit from me... and Nate's money will be used as he wishes. The mother and children are hard working every day. The three oldest children go to school, which mom has t pay for each term. They are clean, polite and all do odd jobs. Dad is a problem, i agree. We have come up with this: We are getting an interpreter from the high school to meet me in a couple days. We will sit with mom and dad. The deal is, Dad has to work for Theo three days a week to pay for his house. it gives him face. Theo will actually be teaching him to care for the animals, plant, etc. at the family house. They only have a 4000 sq ft lot in the village. Farming is a reach but we will indeed begin. Dad will likely try and fail. I have worked with alcoholics for years as a nurse, and was raised by one. For everyone who makes it, ten don't... and the one who does can not be motivated by our desires but only their own. The hope here is to teach the children a better way.

Still, Nate, I TOTALLY RESPECT you and your conditions. They are not unresonable. You are a very good and generous man and I take it seriously that you have given such wonderful help. No one has been as able as you, but from their hearts many have sent from $20 to $250 our way... and it all adds up.

Our plan is to salvage the roof and six corner posts, put in a lower wooden floor, add a cement floor kitchen and a couple interior walls for seprate sleeping for boys and girls. There is running water to the edge of the property on a spigot. We will (probably next summer, depending on cooperation by dad and family) attempt to put a cold shower in the outdoor toilet (build of cement block with a squat plate) and water to the kitchen. My goal for the kitchen is to move it to the opposite side of the house as right not it sits near the toilet and is very unhealthy.

We are not building Taj Majal, but we are building a sturdy structure. This village is in the middle of a farming valley with many other vllages. The bamboo and teak trees are up on the mountain and will take a few weeks to cut and transport down the river. Most of our work will be of wod with bamboo walls probably on the kitchen portion to keep the air moving there.

Bla, bla , bla.... I can yak forever. Will keep you posted on progress. One teacher at the school lets me use her internet every few days so I can stay in touch now while at the village.

Take care, thank you everyone for your kindness and support.

Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[ericlp]

Thanks for posting Pam...

A little goes a long ways in Thailand.

What is your paypal account? I can send a little something ...


[]


Eric

[pslamont]

Hello from the village! I have returned and am very happy to be here. Much progress has been made.

Mom planted the seeds I left 10 days ago; you should see all the starts up in the garden. It is wonderful and she is very proud. She makes little plots about 6 x 15 feet and works each one individually. I think it breaks it all down to a managable project. Looking good!

With much patience, the 16 year old daughter Lek and I (with two Thai-English/English-Thai dictionaries) spent the evening with the whole family talking. Mom and Dad do not read and write. That is how dad got "hooked up" with the older men/drinking crowd. Readers and non-readers are like haves and have-nots here. It is more cultural than anything else but surely feeds on itself.

I cooked dinner for us all. I don't think the family has seen that much chicken in a month, let alone at a meal. They were very conservative and wanted me to save it but I encouraged them all to eat. I cooked three different flavors and some noodles and veggies. Kids were ecstatic. They took home leftovers.

Get This: Dad showed up, showered, shaved, clean clothes and sober!!!!! Lek warned him about me apparently and he took it well. He is feeling helpless. He is not only willing to work but wants t learn. He says the young men got tired of him when he was younger and the old men drink and do no work. He hung his head and said "I want to help work, but do not know what to do". When I said "We Teach" he looked hopeful. Could all fall apart in a week but at least we have a willing participant. As any AA people will tell you, that is the first part. He has to want to participate.

Okay, so in keeping with Nate' s (very wise) wishes, I have divided this prject into two parts. The immediate part is safe and secure housing. The long term part is farming. To this end, I bught seeds, seeds and more vegetable seeds... and a few flowers too. Mom nearly cried. She held them to her chest and my heart beat hard! We talked and they think they can start with three water buffalo babies (4000 bhat each) and sell in two years when mature at 10,000 bhat. Bhat are about 33 to the dollar. They said once they learn, they can sell three, buy six and stll have some money for school tuition and food. They were excited. We also have our eyes on one big (mom) pig and three 4 month olds that may be available. Now we make pens for them.

I have not broached buying cloth and native clothing. Too many irons in the fire just yet. Tonight we are trying to get the teacher from the high school that speaks such good English to come to dinner and translate. If not tonight, soon. She already offered to go to homes with me for nursing rounds which they don't really need me for. The clinic here, though small, is pretty comprehensive for primary care.

Okay, enough chat. I am checking my email from hubby about checks being deposited and my pay pal account. Thank you all... I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Back soon.... Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[pslamont]

Well, I had to drive the three miles back to the store for meat for dinner so stopped by here too. I could not believe it. When I got back at noon (three in the afternoon here now; 10 PM your time) "Dad" Suan (pronounced Swan) was at the house where I am staying and was repairing a power pole that had been run into/loosened last month. He dug a hole in the dirt deep, set a new/used pole, ran the wires. He just smiled and said "Suan Work". I filled some set trays for starting seeds and he stopped what he was doing and "showed" me what he seemed to feel was "better" dirt for this, and dug it out for me. He stopped in the heat of the day, around 1:30 to eat and rest. It is of course not a done deal but it seems dad has some desire to cooperate.

Wow, what a great day.

Oh, and I planted sunflowers, marigolds, bell peppers and egg plant today. Am I a good girl or what????


Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Beachboy]

I think it's nice what you are doing there Pam. But how did you decide that this family would receive help from you? With an entire country were poverty is a way of life. How did you come to choose this family? In a country were almost 85% lives below the poverty line, I would find it hard to pick out one family.

I 'll also say as much as I love the THai people. One has to be aware of those who are truly needy, and those just looking to beat the system for money to buy Thai Whiskey known as Mehkong Whiskey,or beer.

I have a friend that I met there while living in Bangkok. His name is father Joe Maier. Yes, he's a Catholic Priest, but not your normal Catholic Priest by a long shot. Father Joe I met while being jailed in THailand. He came out and introduced himself to us Americans one day. To make a long story short. Father Joe would come one week before major religious holidays to visit me. I'd give him a food order and he's deliver it before weeks end. We worked together for several years doing this so inmates from Indonesia, India, Burma, etc, etc,,, could enjoy a ethnic meal from home around American or western religous holiday


Father Joe is awesome. Check out a sotry about the guy and watch the film about his work in Bangkok

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethic...file.html#


"You must be the change you want to see in the world."

- Mahatma Gandhi

[pslamont]

Beachboy, good question...

I came to this particular village for recovery from dental surgery. My friend Theo just married a woman he met in Chiang Mai but originally from this village. His last visit here he met a man from London who has a home in Chiang Mai and a little cabin in this village. This friend, Anton, has allowed me to use both houses for free during my two month stay here. He arranged for a young girl (16 yrs old, Lek) to take care of me while in the village. No free public education here; she was not going to school because her family was behind on tuition. She hoped to do some work for me to earn money to pay it. I went to her school and talked to the financial aid officer, her school advisor and a teacher. That is how it began. I simply found the condition of her family and waded in. I have done this in Puna too with several families. I provide a ladder; they have to climb.

I have also found an 80 year old woman who is all alone. She never married and has no children. She lives in a little one room bamboo house about 10 x 12. She does the best she can for herself but many here give her a little food. Today I took her two containers of cooked food... Thai and American. I saw her later in the day on her porch eating and smiling. She held up the food to me and said ARROY (good). Just a little thing for someone. Same reason I brought a giant box of chocolate for the children of the village.... and a few dozen toothbrushes!
I am having fun. I am getting many of you to help me buy a "ladder" and getting it in place. It will be up to this family to climb the ladder. Nate is right in this. The other things I provide I do for the immediate comfort of the children.
Hope everyne has a wonderful day. Again, thank you for both your support and wisdom.

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!