I hope you all enjoyed last week’s video and photo update. Here’s more:

There are forty-one children at Future Light Children’s Home. We spent the morning playing games and doing art activities. The kids never grew tired of running around or hanging out with their new friends from Bangkok. Had any of them truly been tired, they surely would have been enthusiastically replaced by another brother or sister. By mid afternoon the play time had been converted into a group effort to do chores. The combination of the chores and the stifling Mae Sot heat made the kids yearn to go bathe in the nearby river.

“You know before the water is blue. But today, the water bad. Very brown. The rains not come.” This observation from one of the older boys didn’t seem to disparage his younger siblings at the orphanage. They had already jumped into the river from the rocky shore of the muddy Irrawaddy, not hesitating to begin bathing and playing. I looked up at the movement across the waters, examining the boats who were loudly vacillating between Thailand and Burma. The children, like the boats, are caught in a stateless limbo because of decades of conflict in Burma and Thailand’s muddy policy on refugees and migrants.

The children get three meals of day. A basic meal made of mostly rice and the vegetables that they grow behind the house. So when evening finally came I grinned and proposed to the house dad, Goin, that we sneak away right before dinner and get ice cream for all the kids. He agreed and off we went on his motorbike speeding towards town, but stopping once for gas just outside of Mae Sot. We took off once again to hunt down a bucket sized quantity of vanilla-raspberry swirl ice cream, but the bike stopped again–this time unexpectedly. Mai pen rai–or ‘nevermind’ in Thai I thought. We will work something out I rationed. Maybe someone will offer us a ride I thought, still being hopelessly optimistic. I will just call my team back at the orphanage to pick us up.

No, no, and no answer.

A mile later, still walking alongside the busted motorbike we had almost reached a bike shop that was already closed.

If nothing else was in our favor, the fact that a shop with a tub of ice cream was still open when our taxi arrived brought relief. Goin and I walked back in through the orphanage gates two and a half hours later. Everyone had already forgotten about dinner and kids had gathered singing and dancing their hearts out before bed (see a brief video clip here). Preoccupied with their singing, they didn’t notice the ice cream, the missing bike, or the overwhelming sense of relief we felt upon returning.

That night we scooped ice cream into cones, bowls, cups, and finally bare hands as kids made their second and third rounds for the treat. I can’t recall an instance where ice cream ever tasted so good, nor where the joy it spread was so abundant.

Feels great to have had the opportunity to spend with the kids of Future Light. This week we will be donating $1000 to them on behalf of the Cyril Duncan Siam Children’s Foundation. They are currently rebuilding their house and school and could use the support. If you want more info on making a donation yourself or voluntouring at Future Light you can contact them on facebook (or by emailing futurelightkids@gmail.com).

-Dwight

“Dream Big, Work Smart, Start Local.”

(Click here if the video does not appear.)

As you can guess, we’re still recovering some from the action packed days in Mae Sot. I’ll share more about the trip and what we’re doing to help the orphanage next week. This weekend we hope to get back on schedule teaching in Bangkok’s slums and reviving our group of volunters. Enjoy your weekend whereever you are and help us share what we’ve been busy doing by forwarding the photos and videos to friends and family. Thanks.

-Dwight

“Dream big, work smart, start local.”

Our journey started from Bangkok with an overnight bus to Chiang Mai, a short flight from there to Mae Hong Song, and finally a sangthaew (think taxi meets the pickup truck) ride to Na Soi, approximately 40 kilometers away. In the calm, scenic hills of Na Soi lies the Na Soi Karenni Refugee Camp, just one of the many camps along the Thai-Burmese border. This particular camp houses around 25,000 ethnic refugees from Burma. While waiting for Moses, a Karenni refugee, to arrive to motorbike us back to our accommodation, we gaze up at a modest temple, once hit by a mortar in a raid on the camp by the SPDC. The Burmese border is a mere six kilometers away, and imagining the Burmese army coming into such a pristine place seemed unthinkable; however, in 1997, 10 people were killed in such an attack. I found myself wondering, how could the Thai government allow the SPDC to enter their country, attack on their soil, and then just leave again?

“We were called to Na Soi by a plea for help. “

We were called to Na Soi by a plea for help. Nu Nu, an elderly Karenni refugee who has been living in the camp since April 1995, has been running an orphanage since 2000. Quite simply, she has run out of money and needs supplies and food. The refugee monthly food allotments are shockingly sparse: 15 kilograms of rice, one kilogram of yellow beans, half a kilogram of salt, and one kilogram of cooking oil. All other food must be bought with their own money. Not allowed to farm, raise livestock except pigs, work, or leave the camp, Nu Nu’s prospects are thin. We entered Nu Nu’s sister’s house, also a refugee who was lucky enough to buy her way out of the camp and into a proper house surrounded by banana trees.

Some of the kids when we first arrived.

In the sparsely furnished great room sat 22 children, ages ranging from four years old to 19 years old, who promptly stood up when we entered. Without introduction, we were given seats, and immediately treated to some songs and speeches prepared by Nu Nu and the children. Their singing, in Karenni and in English, was very good, and very touching (Click here to see a video of the children singing). One song in particular brought tears to my eyes; beneath their lovely harmony was a plea for God not to forget about them. About an hour and a half walk from the camp, the children must walk in small groups of three or four, so as not to attract attention from the police at the checkpoints. If caught outside the camp, the refugees–children included– will be put into jail until a fine of 4000Baht ($120) can be paid, a huge sum for any refugee. Because of the risk involved, they only manage to leave the camp once every two to three months.

“This process is far from perfect–but it’s the only thing the children have to give them hope.”

"She dreams of a different life and wants more education to become a nurse."

This group of orphans have been with Nu Nu for about three months. The previous group has mostly been relocated. Everyone in the new group has UNHCR numbers, and are in various stages of applying for resettlement. However, even if accepted for relocation to Australia, Finland, or the USA, they must wait until they are at least 18 years old. This process is far from perfect–but it’s the only thing the children have to give them hope.

We had the chance to interview some of the children, with the help of Moses for translation. The orphans were a little shy, but one thing rang true: their desire for a better life.

Gay, a 15-year-old girl from the Karen state, is trying to go to Finland. She came to the camp when she was seven years old with her uncle. She has no memory of Burma or her journey to Thailand. All she knows about it is what she has been told. Her father is dead, and her mother stayed in Burma to look after her three younger sisters; she has no contact with her family and does not know what their status is. Gay dreams of a different life in Finland and wants more education to become a nurse.

"She wants what the camps can't offer: freedom."

Htoo is 14 years old, from the Karenni state. She has been with Nu Nu for three years. Her brother came to the camp first, but returned for her when the SPDC attacked her village five years ago. The village was burned and her father forced to become a porter. Porters are forced to carry a lot of weight; if the porter cannot carry the load, they are often beaten and sometimes killed. Porters also are forced to lead the expeditions in order to clear the mines for the soldiers. Htoo says she feels okay in the camp, but wants to go somewhere else because there are not enough facilities, such as higher education. She wants what the camps can’t offer: freedom. Chorest is 19 years old and from the Karen state. He had to flee to Thailand when he was 10 years old because the SPDC burnt his village down. In the rush of the attack, he left with other villagers, leaving his family behind. One of the few children in the orphanage that can remember his escape to Thailand, Chorest recalls walking for one month through the hills of Burma, dodging the SPDC and their guns. With no job opportunities, no freedoms, and no higher education available in the camp, he wants to go abroad and dreams of becoming a doctor. However, if he could choose, he says he would like to legally live and work in Thailand, in order to be closer to his homeland. Sadly, the chances of this happening are slim. He is currently waiting to relocate to the USA.

“Within the orphanage, the past is never discussed…”

"With no job opportunities, no freedoms, and no higher education available in the camp, he wants to go abroad and dreams of becoming a doctor."

Within the orphanage, the past is never discussed, nor, according to Nu Nu, do the children ever cry over their families or their fates. Perhaps this is because many refugees psychologically block out such traumatic experiences. Nu Nu, however, remembers everything. She still remembers vividly December 6, 1980, when the SPDC (then called SLORC), attacked her village, shooting, killing, torturing, and burning as they went. Several people were forced to be porters. She also remembers her father being killed when she was 7 years old. He was driving near their village when he was ambushed by the SLORC and brutally attacked. Almost miraculously, her mother found him and kept him alive for 2 months before he died from the wounds. Nu Nu’s husband was also killed by the SPDC. So what does Nu Nu want? She doesn’t have any illusions about getting out of the camp. But she does want a friendship between the SPDC and the people. While not necessarily supporting tourism in Burma, Nu Nu is calling for foreign investment. She believes that building factories and infrastructure is the way toward a better Burma. And she has a message for Obama too: “Make friends with Burma. Find a way to work things out.”

"Make friends with Burma. Find a way to work things out."

That night we were given wonderful hospitality. They cooked the most delicious foods for us and gave us a place to sleep for the night. I’ve seen it time and again in my travels, but it never fails to amaze me how people with so little willingly give so much for their guests. That night I also began to see Nu Nu’s remarkable love for these children, many of which, she has raised since they were little. As we packed up in the early morning for another long journey back, Nu Nu slipped us a piece of paper. On it was a list of supplies needed, such as bedding, mosquito nets, clothing, dishes, and umbrellas. We all left a small donation and sadly said our goodbyes. Being able to talk to the refugees, look into their eyes and hear their stories is an experience which will stay with me for a long time. While I may not be able right now to change policy, am I able to help make 40 children’s lives better. I hope you can too.

You can donate to Nu Nu through In Search of Sanuk. Just be sure to note that the donation is for Nu Nu. Or, if you would like to make a direct transfer, banking details can be found on the Nu Nu Project’s facebook group. For more information contact Regan Suzuki at regsuzuki@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading and remember:

“Make friends with Burma. Find a way to work things out.”

-Chris

I own Bangkok.

Keep repeating that, replacing Bangkok with the community you live in.

I own [ _____ ].

I’ve renewed my perspective on ownership after hanging out at and visiting so many orphanages. Do you know what little you can claim as your own when you have thirty brothers and sisters? You better believe that when your bed is one of the twenty in a room, “mine” and “not yours” become the words kids hurl right before they throw fists. That’s because exerting ownership over something, changes our outlook. If you can’t relate to what it must be like to live with so many siblings, then you’re from the same privileged background as me, where we learn to own a lot of stuff, but only exert passionate ownership over a few things.

“When your bed is one of twenty in a room, ‘mine’ and ‘not yours’ are fighting words.”

It’s time to operate in the entitlement that ownership of our community brings. This means changing the way we perceive and aim to solve problems. I will always remember driving through downtown Atlanta and among the litter and debris that had accumulated in the gutter was a chunk of cardboard that read:

Another Atlanta Mess

I laughed. But now I realize that it’s not enough to only see problems. We need to claim responsibility for problems in our communities and most importantly, we MUST see ourselves as powerful. In Bangkok, Another Atlanta Mess is the equivalent of the saying, This is Thailand. Sure, it’s our favorite way to curse the air and nod in agreement that surely every deity and monk in the nearby temple must hate us for things to have gone wrong so well. BUT the commonality in both phrases is the implied sense of impotence we concede to every time we mutter them.

Did you forget I own Bangkok?

I am not impotent. I can’t accept the This is Thailand mentality and mire in the belief that the color of my skin or the color of my passport disqualifies me as an agent of change.

No. Street begging elephants aren’t ok with me.

“I can’t accept the ‘this is Thailand’ mentality and mire in the belief that the color of my skin or the color of my passport disqualifies me.”

No. Losing count of the number of sex workers you pass walking home is not just part of the normal daily routine.

No. I won’t be satisfied until the same little boy I see so often bent in half clutching a 7-11 cup has a better option than begging in the rain.

How have we been numbed to those hurting in our communities? Are we so afraid of responsibility that a global crisis won’t move us as quickly as a facebook status update?

To be effective leaders we have to own and teach each other to take ownership of our communities.

I own [ _____ ].

Claim it and unite with others doing the same.

Where is your city? Where is your community? Wake up, take ownership and throw your hand in.

~Dwight

Here’s a special thank you from Baan Dada orphanage in Sangklaburi, Thailand.

To fundraise in Bangkok we threw a big party with over three hundred attendees. This was the work of over thirty volunteers. Thanks to Mark and Emily from Digital Democracy who made the following video so you could see what the party was like:

The result of our twitter-festival?

A $600 donation to Baan Dada and $600 to Baan Unrak orphanages.

$380 for carbon offsetting.

That’s a total $1572 for good.

THANK YOU!

There are more cool photos from the party and the orphanages available in the ISOS facebook group.

Often doing something heroic comes with it’s share of obstacles. This is the case when it comes to volunteering in Bangkok, where it’s usually easier to remain over entertained and under challenged. Information about opportunities is hard to find, with tips and guidelines even more scarce. While there is a real need, busy organizations can’t answer the flurry of email inquiries or they don’t have staff who can communicate in English. Many businesses are offering foreigners chances to volunteer for high fees. This is unappealing and unaffordable for many. To offer an alternative to this, I am now coordinating a project to have volunteers teach in a nearby slum (in addition to sending people to the Bangkok Refugee Center). Also, I’m teaming up with Lindy from Real Volunteer Thailand to freely share information on organizations, guidelines, and ways to contribute. For example, Lindy recently told me about a special place she visited for people suffering with AIDS. Here’s what she said about Baan Gerda:

A recent visit to an AIDS village in Lopburi was nothing short of incredible. Baan Gerda was founded in 2001 by Karl and Thasanee Morsback as a hospice for HIV and AIDS orphans to give them comfort in their last days, but with the introduction of new anti-virals it has morphed into a community where children and foster parents live independently in a loving and secure environment. Their motto is that they give these children a life worth living and that was particularly evident when visiting the village. These children are not only living but they are truly thriving. It is a testament to the resilience and determination they have to live

If you have a special skill that you’d like to share with the kids you can contact them to arrange a visit. In the past they have had professional photographers who did a one day workshop with the older children to teach them basic photography and music composer Bruce Gaston who teaches them various musical skills. Share your knowledge with these bright and enthusiastic children.

In you’d like to find out more about their organization or make a donation to help keep the village up and running you can visit their site Baan Gerda.

“As a leader it is your responsibility to put your followers in the best possible position to succeed.” ~Colin Powell

We made a small donation on our visit and also bought enough fish to feed the house that night, BUT by far we were on the receiving end of the giving. Life House’s loving group of kids and staff openely welcomed us into the day’s activities. Take a look and leave a comment.

It’s follow friday. So to show your support please visit Betterplace.org where you can sign up to support Life House and many other great organizations. I hope you enjoyed the video. These kids really touched us and I hope you’ll be inspired (whether you’re in paradise or at home) to have fun helping others!

~Dwight

Quite by accident, I found out about an orphanage, Jeewan Uttan, with twenty-six children in Kathmandu, Nepal. Each month the woman who owns this orphanage, Bina, is struggling to find the Rupees to pay for rent, food, clothing, school fees, books, shoes, and transportation. There is never enough. They have no consistent support and from the point of view of capacity, she really shouldn’t have an orphanage at all. But from the point of view of the compassionate heart, it is absolutely fantastic that she has this orphanage she is running for less than a shoestring.

The children are mostly Tamang, one of the largest ethnic groups with a predominately poor population. There are a few Dalits (untouchable caste) who are even lower in the caste system. All the children come from Bina’s Tamang village in Eastern Nepal in the Malanchi district (about a five hour drive and a three day hike from Kathmandu). Many of them have had horrific beginnings in their short lives: neglect, beatings, alcoholic parents, lack of decent schools or no access at all to education, and they have no resources for help.

I met Bina and we liked each other from the start and became good friends. Really it was a match made in heaven. She was accomplishing many projects with very little money. She was a social activist as well as a humanitarian worker and she returned to her village at least ten days every month in order to help the local people. How she managed to help them with so little money is a story I have yet to hear. So I had ready cash, nineteen years of experience as a humanitarian aid worker on the micro level, some good connections and I’m not shy about making more (which is exactly what happened). I got to know Bina better and learned that she was one hundred percent trust worthy. The first thing I did was to take her on a shopping spree. They needed 26 of everything. 26 blankets. 26 shoes, 26 school uniforms, 26 of everything!…. I thought the van would burst but when we arrived at the orphanage the children were so excited.

But I also knew that it was important that eventually Jeewan Uttan should be able to be partially self-supporting. Towards that end, funds have been provided for them to start their own business selling candles, incense, and soap. Within twelve months, they should be able to earn about one third of their budgetary needs.

Now things at the orphanage are much more stable and since basic needs like food, clothing, bedding, and transportation are being taken care of on a regular basis, Bina can now concentrate on their psychological needs and issues related to their development. And there is time for fun! On my last visit I took all of the children for the day to Dragon World, an amusement park filled with rides including bumper cars and toy trains.

Bina also goes to her village in Eastern Nepal every month in Melanchi District. I accompanied her there in November 2008. It is a bumpy four-hour bus ride and then a six-hour walk up a very steep Himalayan trail. When we reached the top, we found ourselves at a Buddhist monastery run by a forty-year old monk named Guru who was accompanied by nine boy monks who were also orphans. The beautiful two hundred and fifty year old monastery also functioned as an orphanage. It was in terrible condition with loads of termite damage, structural deficiencies, and water damage. After a long discussion, I learned that $1200 would completely restore the building. The labor would be provided for free by local villagers.

Since the monastery was also an orphanage, the funds could be provided by100 Friends. The renovations are now complete. 100 Friends also supplied food, clothing, school supplies, soap, toothbrushes and many other materials for the children. After we left the monastery, we still had three more days of trekking through Melanchi. Everywhere we went people recognized Bina. On several occasions, we met extremely poor people who needed medical attention. One man only had one foot and really needed a prosthetic device. Another man needed to go to an eye hospital to save his vision. A widow with five children needed foot surgery on both of her feet- she hadn’t walked properly for fifteen years! All of these people (and more) were eventually brought to Kathmandu and all received treatments that were successful.

We also met a boy named Sanjay. Sanjay had no parents and was “looked after” by a mean, alcoholic grandfather who often beat him and worked him far too hard. After one beating, his shin was badly broken and never repaired leaving Sanjay crippled. He had never been to school or held a book. Now he is the twentieth child in Bina’s orphanage and happily going to school. His leg will have to be broken in surgery but I am assured he will be playing soccer by summer.

But we are most excited about a program that has a high chance of being funded for at least the next five years. For several years I have been endeavoring to create a program to help prevent the trafficking of young girls into sexual (and work) slavery and also to rescue and rehabilitate girls already trafficked. I have been trying to start such a program in Cambodia but I found it to be not only difficult but, as I later learned, potentially extremely dangerous.

I was stymied until I met Bina. She also wanted to start such a program, but she never had the funds or a foreign partner. I have a potential donor, connections and a certain amount of experience. Her Tamang community in Eastern Nepal has been suffering from this activity for many years. She knows where and how this problem exists and together we have determined what type of program could be developed to protect and assist hundreds if not thousands of poor young little girls at risk. I have no doubt that this program will be in operation within 6-8 months.

So all of this (and more to come!) has happened as a result of a chance meeting in a restaurant in Kathmandu last year. One can only wonder where it will all lead.

-Marc Gold

Click to read more about Marc Gold & 100 Friends