In Search of Sanuk Christmas Party

For the second year in a row, we threw a big party for the families we’ve been helping.

[You can flashback to last year's Christmas by watching this video: Stealing Back Christmas 2010]

The aim of the party is really to provide holiday cheer for families who wouldn’t have much of a celebration otherwise. That meant plenty of food and fun festivities for everyone!

Christmas Angels

[See more photos here: In Search of Sanuk Facebook Page]

The party was a great end to a tough year. While fund raising hasn’t been easy, with the help of supporters who sponsored families and those who helped create a few fundraising events, in 2011 we provided over $8,000 in rent stipends to needy families since last Christmas.

This number doesn’t include the extra gifts of food, groceries, clothing and hours spent encouraging and educating families in need this past year. So I’m confident in 2010 our total giving was nearly $10,000, of which 95% went directly to families in our care.

We’re continuing our support into the new year and will be making it easier to see how your donations are making a difference for families in 2012.

We’re so grateful you’ve been following along from around the world. Thanks also to all my local volunteers, especially those who opened their homes on Christmas Eve.

Finally, enormous thanks goes the International Church of Bangkok, who dedicated their Christmas Eve celebration to our cause, raising about $2,000 for our project with asylum seekers.

Happy New Year Everyone,

-Dwight

2 hours seems like such a small amount of time. It’s the amount of time we spend watching our favorite movie, or relaxing with friends at a favorite restaurant or pub. It’s a fraction of our day and we treat it as such. After all, it’s 2 hours. No big deal there, right?

During my 6 weeks in Thailand, three of which were spent in Bangkok, I learned the meaning of 2 hours. 2 hours was the amount of time it took me to see the struggles of refugee and asylum-seeking families. It was the amount of time it took for my heart to break 10 times over. It was the amount of time it took for my views and perceptions about Bangkok to change. It is the amount of time it took for me to decide that I need to reach out and help more than I have been.

There are a few thousand people in Bangkok who are refugees or seeking asylum from non neighboring countries. Refugees and asylum-seekers cannot work, which means they cannot earn money to support their families. That means that at any time there are hundreds of hungry bellies and innumerable worries and fears. People are hiding in their ‘homes’ and praying that the Thai police don’t find them and throw them into the IDC (Immigration Detention Center) where there is no release date in sight. They are sleep deprived because of the fear the these raids. Their children do not go to school or play outside with friends. They can rarely say with any certainty where their next meal will come from.

So, why are they in Thailand? They came to Thailand because it’s safer than their home country. In Thailand they fear being put into the crowded detention center’s jail, however, they do not fear being killed. Thus, Thailand becomes their perdition before having the chance at starting a new life in another country willing to accept refugees. Unfortunately, the process of receiving refugee status in Thailand is long and frustrating. Once they have refugee status, which can take as long as 2 years or more to obtain, it could be another 2 years before they are sent to a new country. We’re talking a miserable four years in the most optimistic cases. That is a long time to try and survive without being able to earn money. It’s 1,460 days of living one day at a time. It’s eating when you can and paying rent before feeding yourself and your family. It’s endless days of praying that someone will find you and help you.

In the time I spent with refugee and asylum-seeking families I had a hard time wrapping my head around their reality. How do they do it? I’m amazed by their faith and their resilience, but what choice do they have?

-Pam

Thanks to Pam for sharing her thoughts and being so willing to jump in wherever I sent her. In addition to visiting the detention center, I also had her visit the homes of a few families. There she made new friends, accessed their situation, and distributed some help we had for them. We’re doing more! This Saturday is the BAMBI Second Hand Fair where everything sold will go to help eight families survive the rest of the year.

We don’t usually think about overcrowded slums and packed out apartments when we’re discussing going green. However, ISOS is proud to announce it’s first “green” project to assist the urban poor.

Project Managers: Dwight Turner, Hy Martin

Target: The urban poor (Bangkok’s poorest residents including Thais, refugees, and Burmese migrants).

Goal: Make a garden accessible in poor communities to educate residents, supplement their diets, and instill proper care for the environment.

Benefits: More discretionary income. Gardening is highly therapeutic, educational and the activity will encourage the interaction of foreigners and Thais without requiring much translation.

Potential Sites: Khlong Toey Slum, Bangkok Refugee Center, and if the budget allows we hope to add additional locations.

Activity: “Play In The Dirt Day”

• We will arrange a day for volunteers and the local community to join hands and “play in the dirt” by building a garden in an area accessible to the urban poor.
• Upon completion everyone will have lunch together and community residents will return home with seedlings to nurture.

Need: Appropriate space for a garden. Materials, gardening tools, and a group of carefully selected species to plant. Also long term community support to insure gardens reach full potential and are properly cared for.

Cost: ISOS events and donations from volunteers will fund this project. Sponsorship is desired. Please contact us to sponsor a garden.

Check out the original Urban Garden Project website and imagine the impact similar activities can have in Bangkok. Thank you for previewing our concept and make suggestions by leaving a comment.

Click here to see the original invitation in Thai and English.

More Art + More Wine + More Prizes = Sanuk

Here’s why you don’t want to miss next Saturday’s party:

• Exhibition – The exhibition includes many works done by refugees and asylum seekers at the Bangkok Refugee Center. Most the artwork was done by children. However, some of the smallest children have experienced more turmoil than most of us can imagine. Come and support them and have a chance to see special donated artwork from artists in Thailand, Japan, and the United States. We’re joining forces!

“Have a chance to see special donated artwork from artists in Thailand, Japan, and the United States. We’re joining forces!”

• Wine Tasting – Remember your admission includes wine tasting from 6-8pm. Be there early to enjoy the wine as you place bids on the pictures made by refugees and the special guest art. By your request we’ll have a chilly surprise waiting for all the wine connoisseurs.

• Raffle – As with the Grand Opening there are many things we’ll be giving away that evening. They include art done by the refugees, art lessons with Chalit Nakpawan, gift certificates for beauty products and other surprises.

“No fighting in the streets or breaking bottles over anyone’s head to walk away with what you want. Just make sure you’re the highest bidder at the end of the night!”

• Silent Auction – Make sure you participate in our silent auction. For a this type of auction all you have to do is find the form of the painting you want and make a bid on it! No fighting in the streets or breaking bottles over anyone’s head to walk away with what you want. Just make sure you’re the highest bidder at the end of the night! Give your registration # and contact info and the price you want to bid.

“This project will be the beginning of many more because of you!”

• Great Company – Come mix with people volunteering for the BRC, working for the UNHCR or working on all kinds of various projects to create change in our community. Jump in! This is what ISOS was created to encourage. This project will be the beginning of many more because of you!

See you there at 6pm and here’s the map again so you can be sure you find us:

Click To See This Larger

On Thursday we had the long awaited Grand Opening Party for our project Picture From My Mind: Depictions of Hunger, Homelessness and Hope. This gallery will be on display until we end with our Silent Auction and Finale Party on Feb. 28th, 2009. Here are a few pictures from a great night:

Arthur Mangan, BRC, Invites People To Help Refugees

In The Auction Room

Wine Tasting

Great Company

Volunteers!

Gracious Hosts

Prizes!

Sanuk!

For more go to our Flickr account or search “In Search of Sanuk” on facebook to find our page and see the gallery loaded there. Enjoy!

To see the original invitation in Thai and English click here.

Registration begins at 6pm. When you come to the gallery and pay to enter, you will be registered to buy art, have a chance to donate volunteer time to the BRC, and be entered in our raffle.

ISOS Raffle. As the night goes on we’ll give away pieces of art made at the Bangkok Refugee Center, art lessons from Chalit Nakpawan, wine, and more! Drawings will be made by influential artists like Kongpat Sadapitak and some of Thailand biggest hearts like Anchanida Premchaona, owner of Boungiorno Coffee & Wine Bar, and others!

Welcome! Around 7.30pm, hear from Dwight Turner, Founder of In Search of Sanuk and Chalit Nakpawan, Artist and Owner of Moddy Restaurant and Gallery.

The Cause. Next we’ll take a minute to remember the purpose of this big party: to help  asylum seekers and refugees. We’ll lend our ear to Arthur Mangan, Director of the Bangkok Refugee Center and Rufino Seva, the Project Manager.

The Gallery. Most of the art featured was made by refugees at the Refugee Center. You will notice that not all of the art is happy or optimistic. We hope this will give you a chance to reflect on how lucky we are to be from stable countries like Thailand and the US and use our good fortune to help these refugees from all over the world. Especially with the recent ugly news about treatment of refugees, we can no longer afford to look away. Explore the gallery and prepare your heart to make a contribution.

Wine Tasting from 6.30-8pm. Are you already adjusted to Thai time and know you’ll be late? Leave early and get there for the free wine. Don’t worry, after 8pm, you’ll still be able to buy a cheap glass of wine (120B) or a cheap bottle (800B) and benefit the refugee center.

Sick Friday. For everyone calling in sick on Friday, the party will continue to 11pm, but we encourage you to come early and have time to take in everything.

Map. Finally here’s a detailed English map with instructions. Some of our volunteers got lost and thought this would be helpful for everyone coming to the event. Take a look and see you there!

Click To Enlarge (ภาษาอังกฤษ)

Picture From My Mind
Depictions of Hunger, Homelessness, and Hope

InSearchofSanuk.com and the Bangkok Refugee Center invite you to experience an exclusive art exhibit benefiting Bangkok’s urban refugees and asylum seekers. Exhibition starts Feb. 16th – 28th, 2009 from 17.00-23.00 (free of charge)

Join us Feb. 19th for the Grand Opening Party and join the Finale Party on Feb. 28th from 19.00-23.00 to take part in the silent auction.

Arrive early for wine tasting on those days and have a chance to win art lessons from Bangkok’s own Chalit Nakpawan and other exciting prizes! 200B Donation for entrance.

Moddy Restaurant & Gallery
18 Ari Soi 4 North
BTS: Ari Station, Exit Door 3 toward Soi Ari
02-617-0108 www.moddybangkok.com
————————-

Click to Enlarge (ภาษาไทย)

Picture From My Mind

ความหิวโหย ไร้ที่พักพิง และความหวังอันเลือนลาง

InSearchofSanuk.com ร่วมกับ Bangkok Refugee Center
เชิญชมนิทรรศการงานศิลปะภาพวาดฝีมือผู้ลี้ภัย และงานจากศิลปินอิสระอีกมากมาย งานนี้จัดขึ้นโดยความร่วมมือของศิลปินชื่อดัง คุณชลิต นาคพะวัน เพื่อช่วยเหลือผู้ลี้ภัยที่อาศัยในกรุงเทพฯ งานนิทรรศการเปิดให้เข้าชม ตั้งแต่ วันที่ 16-28 กุมภาพันธ์ 2552เวลา 17.00-23.00 น. (ไม่มีค่าใช้จ่าย )

ขอเชิญทุกท่านมาร่วมงานเปิดตัวนิทรรศการในวันที่ 19 กุมภา และงานเลี้ยงขอบคุณ วันที่ 28 กุมภา เวลา 19.00-23.00 น. ภายในงานมีการจัดประมูล, ขายภาพศิลปะและทดลองชิมไวน์ จากทั่วโลก ค่าเข้าร่วมงาน 200 บาท รายได้ทั้งหมดเพื่อสนับสนันศูนย์ผู้ลี้ภัย

สถานที่ ร้านอาหาร Moddy Restaurant & Gallery
เลขที่ 18 ซอยอารีย์ 4 เหนือ ถนนพหลโยธิน 7
BTS: สถานที่ อารีย์ ประตู 3
โทร 02 617 0108
www.moddybangkok.com

In preparation of our upcoming art show to benefit the BRC, we wanted to offer content which gives readers a more proficient understanding of what refugees and asylum seekers go through. ISOS was proud to post the article Waiting by Sherri Phenchard (See part one or part two). Today we’re excited to post the following interview from Ryan, a Chinese Refugee who found himself several thousand miles away from home in Bangkok, Thailand.

ISOS:  Hey Ryan, first tell us where were you born?

I am originally from Xi’an, China.

ISOS: So how did you end up living in Bangkok?

I moved here with my parents. The three of us fled from China.

“We were constantly harassed, mistreated and interrupted in China.“

ISOS: Why did you have to leave? I mean… who were you running from and why Thailand?

We were persecuted by the government because our faith in Christianity and my father’s association with Christian organizations outside of China, combined with his involvement with the house-church movement in China. We were constantly harassed, mistreated and interrupted in China. We were forced to move from place to place, living like exiles in the country we’re from. It was unbearable living like that.

The reason we chose to come to Thailand, was because we heard on the Radio Free Asia (an U.S. government founded non-profit radio station) that in Thailand some organizations could provide international protection to people who are persecuted in their own country. We didn’t know they were referring to UNHCR at that time. Another reason was because coming to Thailand from China was financially affordable and the distance was relatively short.

ISOS: How did you get to Thailand?

By walking.

“We walked for 12 hours that day.“

ISOS: What? Ha?

We traveled to southwest China and entered a town bordering Laos. There we met a villager and he agreed to help us cross the border. The next morning he took us through the mountains to Laos. We walked for 12 hours that day. We arrived in a village where we took a bus to the nearest city. In that city we met someone who helps North Koreans cross over into Thailand. He helped us get a “road ticket” to Ventienne which got us through the check points that our bus passed. From there, we met some fisherman at the river between Laos and Thailand. We told them we wanted to cross and arranged a time. We came back at night and they took us across the river into Thailand. After we arrived we didn’t know where to go. We followed one main street almost all night, for about six hours. We finally arrived in the nearest city. From there we found a bus station and immediately got tickets to Bangkok.

ISOS: How long did this trip take altogether?

It took about ten days. Thats because we spent a lot of time waiting in Laos to get the paperwork. Actually, we only spend 3-4 days traveling.

ISOS: Before you decided to come to Thailand, how long had you been unable to return home?

We were in a homeless situation. Place to place, city to city since 1998. About 8 years.

“Every day, living on the edge of bankruptcy, is how I would describe the general financial condition of a refugee in Bangkok.“

ISOS: What is your situation now in Thailand?

Every day, living on the edge of bankruptcy, is how I would describe the general financial condition of a refugee in Bangkok. Because refugees are not allowed to work, it is particularly hard to find a way to sustain yourself in this country. Fortunately, I was able to work as volunteer at the Bangkok Refugee Center because I could speak English. As a refugee we also receive a monthly allowance from UNHCR, but this income only allows a very limited living standard.

ISOS: What happens if you get sick?

We can receive basic medical care from the clinic at the refugee centre, if a better treatment is needed, we could be referred to a public hospital with the approval from the doctor at the refugee centre.

___________________________

I hope the first half helps you understand asylum seekers and refugees better. Don’t miss the conclusion of this interview with Ryan.

"A place where their lives are at stake..."

When I ask the refugees I meet if they miss their home country, everyone has said yes. A place where their lives were at stake, where the government destroyed their homes, where they lost their family and friends everyday, they miss that place. They want to return home.

When I ask if they like Thailand, the most common reply is no. They don’t like the food, the weather, how expensive everything is. But this is a place where they are free from persecution, from death, from tyranny. But they don’t like it. They want to return home.

When I ask where they are going next their eyes get a little brighter. Maybe Norway, I have a sister who lives there now. Or maybe Canada because Cantonese is the third most common spoken language. Or California. I have an uncle who works at McDonald’s, and he really enjoys it.

But if you had the chance would you rather go home? Yes.

"They want to return home."

A man from the Congo told me how at home they have perfect weather, not too hot or cold, which is ideal for exploring the huge forests and open areas he misses. Everyone has free electricity and water. I still don’t understand how that works but it is something to do with the government giving electricity and water away to other countries. There are diamonds everywhere. One morning you could find one, take it to someone and get $10,000. He had so many opportunities. He kept repeating, so many opportunities. He misses his family and friends who are still there. Will you ever go back? I hope so, but I don’t know. Where will you go next? I don’t know. I don’t know. I miss home.

To never be able to go home again to your favorite places. To see your favorite people. I don’t really miss America most of the time. But to envision never ever returning again. To never see anyone from my past life. I can’t imagine it.

“The refugees could care less about the Grand Palace, about having their first taste of real pad thai, about riding an elephant. “

"my words never seem to be enough..."

I’m sure if the refugees came here on their own they would love this place. It is not the place that they don’t like, but it is their situation. Forced to flee a place they never wanted to leave to go somewhere they care nothing about. What a different perspective from people who travel here from all over the world just to see Bangkok. The refugees could care less about the Grand Palace, about having their first taste of real pad thai, about riding an elephant. They want to be home eating their food around their families table even while war rages outside their window. It is amazing how being forced to be somewhere and being there out of your own volition changes your perspective on the place. Wow.

I have been going to the refugee center for the past months and always want

to write something about it, but my words never seem to be enough and I can never get out my ideas of what I really feel and what I really want to say. So I have decided to just write and say something, which is better than saying nothing at all.

I hope this helps someone understand a little more of what I will never understand.

“I hope this helps someone understand a little more of what I will never understand.”

Written by Sherri Jane Phengchard.

Sherri Phengchard is a teacher in Thailand who volunteers regularly at the BRC. She was recently married and has lived in Thailand for a year and a half. She is proud to call Thailand home. Her second home is in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

The artwork used above will be featured in a special ISOS exhibition. See Picture From My Mind for details.

See Waiting: A Glimpse of Refugees (Part 1)

Many people throw this word in the air to describe how they waited 20 minutes in gnawing hunger for their meal until the incompetent waitress brought it. Or they waited at the bus stop in the blustering cold before it finally skidded to a stop before them. Or they waited for the guy or girl they liked to call for hours until he or she remembered their existence.

“Waiting” is an occurrence that comes and goes and soon becomes something someone whines about to her friends over lunch. Yet, for a refugee, this word describes their entire existence. They have entered a waiting room and have been there so long they have become a part of the decor.

“They have entered a waiting room and have been there so long they have become a part of the decor.”

I get a glimpse of this waiting room when I volunteer at the Bangkok Refugee Center. On most Tuesdays, my friend and I will spend an hour and a half playing games, pronouncing words in American English, smiling and trying to love kids from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Congo, and any other conflict torn country.

We never feel like we do much. We always feel unprepared. Every week we wonder if we are really doing anything to help the kids learn how to pronounce English properly. Are we just wasting their time by being there?

But then I was reminded, how can you waste a refugees time? That is the one thing they have to spare.

Written by Sherri Jane Phengchard.

Sherri Phengchard is a teacher in Thailand who volunteers regularly at the BRC. She was recently married and has lived in Thailand for a year and a half. She is proud to call Thailand home. Her second home is in Waxhaw, North Carolina.

See Waiting: A Glimpse of Refugees (Part 2)