EMPOWERING THE POOR WITH EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Wow! We started out with a vision to create homes for the homeless and build a community of people who love and support each other. Little di we know that building the houses was just the beginning of a much bigger dream!

As all of the resident came from homeless situations they also have little or no education which provides very limited options for employment. With scraps of wood we began a furniture making school on site which is going very well. Then we biult a small kitchen so we could teach people how to cook. The delight on the faces as these participants can now go to the local market, sell their goodies and make a profit. With the extra land we also started a small garden which grew and grew and it is now producing great vegetables and herbs which is used in cooking. The first marrow that was produced was given to us as an offering!

It's not just about providing stuff and money. It is helping people know they are valuable and can be positive contributors to their communities. 

So.. where do we go to from here!!! The Irish embassy in Bangkok has given us a grant to install solar panels to generate our own electricity, save money and save the environment. We cannot afford the solar power battteries at this point menaing that we will only be able to use solar power during the day time. We need at least 2 batteries aat a cost of 60 000 baht each or approximately $2000 each. It's a big dream... but look how far we have come.

Thank you to all of you for giving so generously. Every little bit helps a lot!

In October last year we were given 150 wooden pallets that we pulled apart and began making simple stools. In March this year a company donated almost 200 sheets of marine ply wood which has given us some more quality materila to work with. In addition to tables and chairs we have also made some rocking hosrses and some simple boxes by using the scraps of wood. It is quite an amazing feat as most of the craftsman are unemployed men from thje slum. We have had some qulaified carpenters come alonngside us to instruct people on how to create pieces of furniture and toys.

We are using most of it at the new housing development and we have also sold a few pieces. The cost of nails, hinges, vanish and power supply are taken out of the income generated by the sale of items and the rest of the money goes directly to the people who made the pieces. Over the school holidays, several children from the slum came and helped by sanding and varnishing and in turn were able to earn some pocket money as well as learn some new skills.

Bosch, Thailand generously donated many power tools which means we are now able to make much more sophisticated pieces. They sent tradesman to teahc us how to use the tools safely. 

Another lady saw what we were building and has added beautiful paintings to the backs of some chairs making them into masterpieces.

Thank you for your continued support.

Margie