Making A Difference

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill

Under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have rights as human beings and also need special care and protection. They are founded on respect for the dignity and worth of each individual, regardless of race, color, gender, language, religion, opinions, origins, wealth, birth status or ability and therefore apply to every human being everywhere.

 

Monday’s Headline (February 8, 2010) appalled Bangkok “Police invite lenders to talks as charity home debts mounts”. Based on reports, Khru Noi (Teacher Noi) of Baan Khru Noi Charity Home owed money to some 20 lenders and has to pay a hefty amount each day to pay off the principal and the ballooning interest. She, then, apologizes to donors as she uses the donations to pay the daily interest.

The news was not a surprise at all. With a couple of orphanage run by private individuals such as Khru Noi and foundations, such institutions require funding and manpower for them to operate. In the case of Baan Khru Noi, the children under hospice care include the disabled, homeless and those parents who are in jail. Khru Noi may not have any other option but to approach loan shark lenders to keep her hospice operational. 

It is sad to think that business is business as usual. For lenders, Baan Khru Noi is just a client that opens business opportunity, regardless of its operation. For Khru Noi, lenders are savior.

 

I have the opportunity to visit an orphanage Tuesday, February 9, 2010. Pakkred Babies Home targets the abandoned children and those children in a troubled family environment.  I must say most orphanages here in Thailand are well maintained. What really concerns me  were the babies.  Aside from the funding that they needed, they need a human touch. It is not a matter of smiling to them but more of the body's warmth that matters most. 

Push carts for babies

Where you can feel the emptiness...

Play(less)Ground

Making a difference is involvement. This scenario does happen everywhere, not only in Thailand. It is now that these babies need you MOST. They are on the stage of developing their emotional skills. JOIN.INVOLVE.CARE!