As most of you already know, we didn't just come to Thailand to enjoy our retirement in comfortable and fashionable Hua Hin. Since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, where we distributed 300 meals a day to the population, we have always been in the process of making our modest contribution. For me personally (Horst writes), however, it has always been a concern to actively lend a hand in addition to the purely financial sponsorship of sustainable projects for humans and animals. Now the opportunity arose once again in the form of a traineeship for Jungle Aid - the organization for which my dear mistress as a singer in the jazz duo "Kim and Barry" already very successfully raises donations.
It has always been important to us - and this will not change - that we only support organizations without administrative effort. Every cent should arrive where it belongs. So this time I was there with Jungle Aid as a driver and member of the "Activity Team" and was able to experience what happens with the donations. Our aid convoy consisted of a medical care team with a doctor and three assistants, an activity team for on-site tasks and a seven-member team from an animal rescue organization, which we also support regularly. In this composition, about 30 villages in some very remote regions of our province are regularly planned, approached and supplied with the essentials. This tour took us to the border with Myanmar in the jungle region, about 70 km northwest of Hua Hin. The journey was easy and led on solid roads throughout - which is only the case in a handful of the villages. Vehicles without 4x4 and high legs usually don't stand much of a chance on these trips, especially during the monsoon season. One of the villages is so remote in the jungle that it can only be reached by a 2-hour walk. With my Chevy, I was out of danger this time and had the other members of the Activity Team on board. People from all over the world come together here to do good within the scope of their possibilities. A wonderful experience that I wish very much to every person who reads along here.
When we arrived in the village, we quickly got down to business, as everyone clearly knew what to do. The actions are perfectly coordinated and everyone knew in advance what and how to do. The medical team set up a waiting area and a treatment corner. The people of Rescue Paws roamed the village and provided all the pets they encountered with food, vaccinations and, if necessary, veterinary help. We from the Activity Team were assigned to different tasks.
The medical team was not bored - 30 patients were cared for.
I was supposed to take care of the kids and take pictures of all the activities every now and then. Well - if you know me, you know that children and I are a bull's eye! I love children and somehow have a gift, so that children thaw out very quickly after initial reluctance and really enjoy participating. It was the same this time. After very shy, first eye contact while pushing on the rusty swing, they laughed quickly and quickly more children came together. We had a box of toys with us, but at 36 degrees without shade I didn't want to start Badminton. We were all already sweating, without moving much. The friends of Rescue Paws had brought coloring pages with dogs and crayons - and we were all painting on a covered community square. Each sheet of paper was treated like a raw egg. It became quieter and quieter and in small groups the children lay down in a circle and eagerly started. There was no arguing, no paper was torn up or a new template was immediately fetched. I have never before seen children paint so carefully, with full dedication and joy. With the exception of a two-year-old boy, not a single child has painted beyond the edge of the original. The pens were immediately put back into the box after use. Girls and boys grouped separately, but the little ones were simply colorful in between and were tolerated or even cuddled by everyone as a matter of course. So nice to experience this!
happy children, an hour of joy and laughter - what could be better!
Children can now be quickly inspired, but not tied up with an activity for long. At some point in between, I remembered my own childhood and the paper airplanes that we always folded and pitted against each other. Still in these thoughts and already wrinkling, the first slightly older boys quickly joined me and watched me attentively. I let the first finished paper airplane hiss from the porch and it actually flew quite long and far! Suddenly, almost all the children were gathered around me and ordered their own jet from my hand. One boy brought a few sheets of paper and handed them out to the other boys without saying a word. I folded the next plane and the same thing happened all around - the children were incredibly skillful and attentive. After a few minutes, the first flying competition could take place!
Afterwards there was a little refreshment for the children thanks to donated soy milk and sweets. There were still items of clothing to choose from for everyone and so there was a small "winter sale" with a rummage table atmosphere in the jungle of Thailand. The glasses they brought with them also quickly found the right buyers among the older men. There were lectures on hygiene and teeth cleaning, which the children also listened to attentively.
During these activities, I wanted to collect the battered paper airplanes and remaining coloring pages... but I couldn't find a single piece of paper or rubbish. This impressed me very much, especially in connection with my last post about littering in Thailand. The children had tidied up quietly and naturally, and there was not a paper lying around anywhere of the sweets that had been served. Respect for people who still really live in harmony with their environment, as they are directly dependent on a healthy soil around them.
I was very impressed by this day with wonderful people again. An international team of helpers who worked without friction and supported each other, friendly and grateful people and impressively attentive and lovable children. I'm already looking forward to the next visit in 8 weeks. But before that, I'll go to other villages - I'll report again. Thank you for your interest and any support!
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