Learning from Wisdom of Ants
There are four small creatures,
wisest of the wise they are—
Ants—frail as they are,
get plenty of food in for the winter;
Proverbs 30
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!
Seson after Season, Year after Year
There is a group of volunteers that Sally has managed to muster around her, who made much effort to source for yarn, go buy them, or encourage people to donate them, and then organise a series of knitting sessions so that by year-end, there will be a a few hundred of freshly knitted beanies, ready to be shipped out to areas where the wintry weather affects those who live, where the only heating available is to sit around an open fire.
Sally has been doing this since 2014, when a call to knit for the needy was made at an International meeting in Perth. Every year, Sally , a busy mother of six, working full time , volunteers at various organisations and sits in many committees, commits herself to this project once again, despite her very busy schedule.
Without fail she will be off to an early start, sometime around now, working on her usual routine... and blessing many lives in the past years.
It is because of volunteers like her, and many other unsung heros and heroines, that enable our Foundation for Life to continue providing for the needy especially duing rainy and cold seasons, who labour tirelessly and give sacrificially for the sake of the less privileged.
Our Foundation would like to take this opportunity to thank all you donors for giving like you do, Season after Season, Year after Year!
Feeling grateful and thankful.
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