Blanket them With Love -Flood&Cold Relief Thailand

Over here, Raining Season Equals Floods

'Over Here" is where Wang Thong resides, in the northern province of Phisanuloke in Thailand. 

Wang Thong lies within the Nan Basin, which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. The important water resource is the Wang Thong River. The Khwae Noi and Tah Muen rivers also flow through this district. The area that our Foundation serves is by the river banks, and being at the basin, it falls prey to flooding easily when the  river over runs its banks.

On 31 August 2019, the waters "Over Here" began to flood at 15.00hrs, when the Wang Thong river level rose to around 1 - 2 metres high, as waters behind the  houses enter the land via the drains. The flood was higher than last year and some families had to evacuate their children to another province for fear of them falling into the water and drowning.

About 20 families were rescued in Nam Duan Village, a Wang Thong Sub-district. This village tend to experience heavy floods more than other areas.

Khun Saengchan, our volunteer who also provides public health consultations to the villagers,  promoting district health, suggested buying milk, canned food, rice, eggs and helping clean the houses after flood waters subside... all of which she singlehandedly did.

At the time of reporting, the Ubon Ratchathani Province was also experiencing floods and the foundation is in the midst of packing the emergency packages to deliver via local transportation.

The Foundation is grateful and thanks all donors who have lent a helping hand in raising the funds for the needy flood victims.

Best of regards to all!

Learning from Wisdom of Ants

The Foundation for Life may seem small and frail like the ants, when put beside the big and well connected non-profits in the world,  but with integrity and hardwork, we aim to work to provide in between the cracks where others fail to see.

Like the Ant, small but potent, the Foundation is  not to be dismissed with a sweep of the hand. While it is yet "summer" we are in the process of looking for "supplies" to stock up for the times ahead, when the needs arise.

Before the the cold season arrives from end October to February in Thailand, the Foundation is already gathering donations and networking in preparation or the coming months. Volunteers have been contacted and some are already making arrangements to help with the collection and distribution of warm clothings for the season. MT and his family (who committed to volunteer in this area on a 2 yearly basis) has already gathered his relatives both in Singapore and Malaysia, and are preparing for their trip in the coming months.

MT comments, "It is a priviledge to be able to interact and touch the lives of these people, and in fact, my family and I have RECEIVED  more than what we have given, in ways that money cannot buy, and my children have learnt empathy and kindness in the whole process! Thanks to the Foundation! "

Any help and donations coming in during this period will be greatly appreciated, as it will increase our outreach for the needy.

We want to thank all donors for your perserverance, kindness and partnership with us all these years, that has helped to sustain our work and ministry to the less fortunate in Thailand.

Blessings to you!

Vena

Follow Up on Tropical Storm Report

Following the news of the storm that was written in the previous report on the GlobalGiving site, staffs and volunteers went into full gear to source for help and think of ways to extend help to the victims of the the Tropucal Storm that hit the Southern shores of Thailand.

Within a few short weeks, volunteers and donors started to pour in to aid in the fund-raising. As the Foundation has a rather wide grassroot base, many were just ordinary folks who did not earn much, but they willing gave as they could, to aid in collecting monies or sponsoring  items and giving second-hand, yet useable items that would bless the victims and children, giving them assurance that someone out there cares and is concerned for them. 

It was heart-warming to see.

When enough items were given  / collected, the Foundation then painstakingly sorted, packed and boxed them, ready to send to the  receipeints in Choosin, Nakhon Si Thammarad.

The Foundation thanks all donors who responded so quickly in aid of those who had needs, forgoing your  personal comforts, to care for the less fortunate. 

if there is anyway that we can improve our services , we would be most grateful for any feedback and comments.

Best regards for coming Easter season.

Vena (Project leader)

URGENT: Tropical Storm Lashes Southern Thailand(5 Jan2019)

Dear Partners:

Nothing like a Video speaks louder than a thousand words... so kindly take a look at the following news update by Telegraph, UK and the CNN:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/04/tropical-storm-pabuk-stranded-tourists-thailand-brace-50-mph/

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/weather/2019/01/04/tropical-storm-pabuk-thailand-vpx.cnn

As the ferocious Pabuk storm rampages across Nakhon Si Thammarad and the neighbouring provinces, a little school called Chusilp (pronounced Choosin), was also affected in its path, causing much damage, with broken roofings, fallen walls, flooded classrooms... and the worst is not over yet, as it also stands in the path of flash floods, as continuous downpour are expected over next few days.

Our Foundation for Life is in the midst of collecting donated items for their aftermath, clean-up and rehabilitation, both for the families of the affected STUDENTS and for the school itself, as it a non-governmental school that helps to integrate Autistic children in their Educational system (with hardly any fundings).

At th same time, 2 fishing villages named Pak Phanang and Laem Talumphuk have been badly affected as they are by the sea, with significant damage done, for which our Foundation is also reaching out to

We are appealing to you our as our partners to consider giving generously as you have always done, so that the less priviledged may be able to pick up the shreds left behind by Storm Pabuk, to live a life of normalcy.

Most gratedful to all our donors for your help and listening ears.

May 2019 be a New Beginning of Goodwill and Blessings for you and your Families!

Best regards

Vena

Hearts Will Be Warm, as Weather Gets Cold

This time of the year will see a general drop in the temperature, generally throughout the whole kingdom of Thailand. The highlands especially in the north will see the greatest drop in temperature, as the cold wave get distributed down from countries north of Thailand, like China.

When this happens, the sudden change in weather cause many, namely the elderly and the very young, to be worst affected. Many suffer from lung infections and if they are not properly treated or due to malnutrition, may in fact die from these consequences of the cold weather.

The Foundation is ever grateful for the volunteers from Singapore, who have been faithfully knitting beanies (wollen headgear) for the needy that we serve. They have bought yarn from Thailand, sent to Singapore to knit and later sent back here for those who are affected by the cold weather.

A volunteer from Singapore, Christie (not her real name), shared this,"When i started to knit, it was difficult at first. However, I learnt precious lessons from it. I learnt patience, and to pray for the person who will receive the cap that I am knitting. When I knit wrongly, I can still undo it and correct that wrong... much like in real Life, where though I may have made many mistakes, I can still start anew and relearn."

Sally, who coordinates this project adds, "Knitting these beanies also help creativity and one's tenacity, when we have a goal to achieve, that is to complete the task, knowing that someone will surely benefit from our hardwork." 

Indeed, many hearts will be warm, even though the weather will get colder, because many hands have worked hard to ensure that this Christmas is aflamed with love.

The Foundation thanks all who have given so generously to lighten the loads of the needy.

May we wish you a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!