C NTACT THE MAGAZINE OF THE BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP BANGKOK
June 2022
BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP The aim of the Group is to enable its members to meet socially, to welcome its new members and associate members to Bangkok and to establish a programme of social, welfare and cultural activities.
Contents
Directory Page 2
Chairman’s message Page 3
Diary Page 4
THEP student Pages 6-11
Daphne Colwell’s obituary Pages 14-21
Little Birds Pages 24-25
June Lunch 30-31
Letter from the Queen Page 35
June coffee morning Pages 38-41
Editor
becky.adderley@btinternet.com
British Women’s Group.
bwgbangkok@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE : Contact is published as a service to our members to keep them informed of news and events within BWG. The accuracy of other information cannot be guaranteed and is not an endorsement by the group. This also applies to advertisements that are included in Contact in order to cover some of the production costs. Every effort is made to produce Contact in good time to reach members before the first scheduled meeting, but the editor cannot be held responsible for unavoidable delays caused by circumstance beyond their control. It is the members’ own responsibility to know when meetings are scheduled and to contact someone to check if any changes have been made. Members are also asked to bear in mind when booking actives that most venues are not deemed suitable for children over six months of age and to make appropriate child minding arrangements.
Chairman’s Message Well that was a really busy month, but very enjoyable. Jubilee celebrations at the British Club although not too profitable, were good fun and our coffee morning at the Ambassador’s residence was quite spectacular, those views. I loved their corgis and I’m quite missing travelling about town with my cardboard Queen Elizabeth. And we had a night out, a lunch and a craft activity. By contrast July will be much quieter as there are a couple of public holidays on Thursdays, stealing our day. We will have a drop in coffee on the 14th as that’s a holiday and a lunch at Bacchus in Sukhumvit Soi 16 on the 21st, details to follow. I expect many of you are travelling now and having just paid for my third multiple reentry since I’ve been anywhere, I’m hoping to get to use this one! Liz
July Diary SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1
2
3
4 Mahjong
5 Bridge Golf Book Club
6 Mah-jong Art Group
7 Committee Meeting
8
9
10
11 Mahjong
12 Bridge Golf
13 Mah-jong Art Group
14 Coffee Morning
15
16
17
18 Mah-jong Jackie Reynold’s games afternoon 1pm
19 Bridge Golf
20 Mah-jong Art Group
21 Lunch at Bacchus Soi 16
22
23
24
25 Mah-jong
26
27
28
29
30
31 Weekly/Monthly Activities You are invited to join these groups, but final approval is at the discretion of individual group leaders Monday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (10am - 1pm) Contact Petra Gordon rsvpbwg@gmail.com 0839919041 Tuesday Bridge - Audrie Sill Golf - (morning) Ami 0971851834 Book Club - 1st Tuesday (10am) Laura Smith 0859667580 Scottish Dancing - 1st Tuesday (7:30pm) Karen Burr Wednesday Mah-jong - (beginners welcome) (10am - 1pm) Contact Elizabeth Bryans Art Group - Bistro 33 Sukhumvit Soi 33 10am
My name is Ms. Aree Puae. I first met you when I was studying at Ban Huai Sing School, Mae Yuam Subdistrict, Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son Province. Currently I am studying at Teerakarn Ban Hong School, Ban Hong Subdistrict, Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province. I am studying at this Secondary School in Year 6, I have been a boarder at Teerakarn School for my 3 senior high school years. My family consists of 7 people. I have 4 brothers and sisters and I am the third born. We are the second poorest family in the village. We are a large family. My father works in the fields and my mother is also a farmer. My eldest brother helps my parents in the fields. My sister is already married with a family. My youngest brother is in Primary school at Ban Glo Sae Loh, in Mae Sam Laep District, Sob Moei also in Mae Hong Son Province. My family all work very hard so that we have food to eat, but we are always happy. This past year has been extremely difficult because of the Covid 19 pandemic and the family has had no income which has made the situation worse. Sometimes we don’t have enough rice to eat so my father has to borrow from our neighbours and then be able to return the favour. I am the first in the family who really wants to continue my education to a higher level but we all know that my parents cannot afford to support any university fees. I will do anything to get myself a higher education so that one day I can come back to develop my own village and be able to take care of my parents. I dream of being a teacher because I have seen that many children want to study, but they do not have the chance. None of their parents make enough money to send their children to school, so I want to come back here to help. Since their parents don't have money, and cannot send their children to school, I want to be a teacher and go back to teach children such as these. I have just graduated from secondary school, Mattayom 6 (Grade 12) and I want to study for a degree at Rajabhat Lampang University in the Faculty of Education, Primary Teaching. I will have a lot of expenses, such as the dormitory fee each semester which is 7,500Baht plus many other costs. Even though I don’t have the money I won’t give up, I will do my best to make a future for myself whatever it takes to achieve my dream. Lastly, if I am fortunate to receive a scholarship, I promise to use this money to the benefit of my education, every baht, every satang is very valuable to me. I will be a good student. I want to study further, then return to develop my home village. I will not cause any trouble for other people, I will be a good person in society and never harm others. I will be a good role model for the younger children and help people who are in trouble just the way I have been given an opportunity myself.
กิจกรรม
ได#รับรางวัลแข-งขันเลียนแบบตัวละครวันสุนทรภู-วันภาษาไทย
ไปรับจ#างเก็บมะม-วงในช-วงวันช-วงวัน เสารC-อาทิตยC
เปGนตัวแทนไปแข-งศิลปหัตถกรรมเล-านิทาน
คุณธรรม
ได#ไปอบรมเยาวชนรักษCสังคมไทย
ได#ไปเยี่ยมผู#สูงอายุในทุกๆวันพุธ
ได้ไปรับจ้างขายทํากับข้าวเสิ ร์ฟอาหารบริ การ ต้อนเย็นเมื=อมีเวลาว่าง
ปลูกผักเอาไว้ขายในตลาดหรื อเอาไว้ทานเองเพื=อ ช่วยประหยัดค่าใช้จ่ายในการเรี ยนและเอาไปขาย ในตลาด
ได้เข้าไปทําเยีย= มและทํากิจกรรมกับน้องๆในหมู่บา้ นห้วยหละ ทุกครัKงเมื=อเวลาว่างใช้เวลาว่างให้เกิดประโยชน์เพื=อเป็ นการเข้า ไปแลกเปลี=ยนวัฒนธรรมกัน
ครอบครัวของฉัน
บ)านของดิฉัน
The Anantara Siam Hotel The Anantara Siam Hotel kindly provide raffle donations to the BWG. We have been there for afternoon tea and highly recommend the ‘tea for two’ for a special occasion!
Delina’s Italian Restaurant Delina’s restaurant provides space for BWG Book Club meet up and cosy coffee’s. They have an excellent lunch time menu which is worth checking out!
THE ELEPHANT PARADE The Elephant Parade regularly support the BWG with donations to raffles. This Elephant Parade is a social enterprise with each elephant uniquely painted with @0% of profits going to elephant welfare and conservation. Support them if you can as they support us and don’t forget to mention BWG if you visit! www.elephantparade.com/shop/elephants
DAPHNE MARY COLWELL
The expatriate community in Bangkok lost a pillar and friend on Tuesday, 28 June 2022, when Miss Daphne Mary Colwell passed away peacefully at Bangkok’s Bumrungrad Hospital from natural causes linked to old age. She was 92. Born in Symonds Yat in the West Midlands of England on 2 February 1930, she could never resist impishly pointing out that date was better known in North America as “Groundhog Day.” Daphne’s brother, Anthony (Tony) John Colwell, also born in Symonds Yat, predeceased her on 11 April 2010; his wife Anne died on 4 January 2021. The Colwells had three sons: Julian, David and Alex.
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Daphne is survived by her sister, Shirley Godfrey, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, and Shirley’s children, Mark Plumridge, and identical twin daughters, Fiona Moore and Sara Richard, also from Manitoba. Daphne was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar William Colwell, who died in 1948, and Doris Irene Colwell, who died in 1990. Daphne was especially close to her father; she was also the very image of him. The family home was situated high on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the waves of which crashed into the rugged Cornwall coast below. The couple’s youngest child Shirley was the only one born in Cornwall. The family’s home was located not too far from the picturesque town of St. Ives; Daphne thought it was a wonderful place to grow up. She attended Penzance: West Cornwall School. Among the subjects she studied was French, her favourite. After finishing school, her first job was as a secretary in a London law office. Daphne’s love of French, however, led her eventually to move to France “for three months” in order to improve her fluency. Because she had so carefully honed this skill, she was able to extend her stay by landing a job at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. While working there, she learned Spanish as well. Owing to her language and administrative abilities, Daphne eventually was able to get a job at the United Nations Secretariat in New York in 1964. Daphne worked for a senior officer in the Office of Personnel Services, where she met many high-level officials, some of whom became close friends as she was so personable, witty and highly intelligent. Because she was fluent in two United Nations languages in addition to English as her mother tongue, she started to prepare in 1970 for the very rigourous editorial examination. She sat for the test the following year to see if she could qualify to become an editor. She passed the challenging examination, obviously with flying colours, and accepted the offer of a professional-level post as editor in the Department of Conference Services at Headquarters. Thereafter, she was always seen with her precious companion which she called “Dic,” her shorthand for the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, a standard reference for UN editors. In her new role, she performed a variety of jobs in the Official Records Editing Section, where she edited parliamentary documents for the annual General Assembly and other important intergovernmental meetings and international conferences. All the time she was deepening her knowledge of editorial rules and United Nations editorial style, which requires great precision and meticulous attention to detail. Outside of work, Daphne had a very vibrant social life in the city that never sleeps: movies with friends, theatre, parties, dinners and travel. Roberta Branham, a close colleague at Headquarters, said, “Daphne was a great spirit, with a fine mind – and wonderful fun to be with.” She particularly enjoyed tennis and table tennis, at which she was very good. She was Secretary of the UN Table Tennis Team. In November 1975, Daphne was transferred to the Editorial Section of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok. As the new 15-storey secretariat building was still under construction at the time of her arrival,
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she worked from an office located in the old United Nations Building known in Thai as Sala Santitham (Pavilion for Making Peace). Daphne’s first residence in Bangkok was a rented apartment in Charoon Court in the residential area of Phaholyothin Road; she later moved to the roomier nearby Tropicana apartment, close to her good friends Grania and Ron Skeldon. Because she became so busy with work and her non-stop social life, including, among other pursuits, British Club activities and involvement with various musical groups, Daphne hired Mrs. Prajim (also spelled Batjeem) Meesap to help her with domestic affairs. That relationship developed and deepened into true friendship. From that time more than 45 years ago, Khun Prajim would remain with Daphne for the rest of her life in Thailand. Khun Prajim, who has a most pleasing and gentle personality, is a fabulous cook and housekeeper. Both of them were serious tennis fans too, and enjoyed cheering on their favourite players when matches were aired on television. Sometime in late 1981, Daphne accepted a job offer in Geneva to head the Official Records Section, which involved a promotion. She did not enjoy life in Geneva, however. She was pining for Thailand and her many friends there; the first opportunity she got about two and a half years later, she returned to Bangkok never again to leave except for holidays. With the resignation of her predecessor Don Gill a few months previously, she became the Chief of the Editorial Section. Thailand was now Daphne’s “home,” and living in apartments was out. From then on, Daphne always rented houses, mostly in the Ari Samphan area off Phaholyothin Road but also in busy Sukhumvit Soi 49 and in Sukhumvit Soi 101, which then was far from the crowded areas of Bangkok. In all, Daphne lived in nine different residences, the last one being a large apartment, Sripat Court, in Phaholyothin Soi 4. Her friends had encouraged her to move into that spacious and secure apartment following the death of Khun Prajim’s husband at a time when many alien construction workers were building condos near her rented house and taking notice of two elderly women living on their own. In addition, her landlady had started hinting about converting the house into a restaurant if Daphne should ever move out. One of the main reasons for choosing houses, which Daphne fitted out beautifully with Thai furniture and exquisite works of art, was the ability to hold parties in spacious gardens and so that her pet dogs could run around freely. Of all the dogs she had as pets, Whiskey and Soda were her favourites. It was not only adults who loved Daphne. In the summer of 1989, Daphne’s close friend from Wales, David Jenkins, whom she knew in New York, was assigned to a senior post in UNDP Bangkok. His then 12-year-old daughter Valerie remembered the strong impression that Daphne made when she first saw her at Don Muang Airport – “a woman holding up a massive Welsh flag, greeting us with the biggest smile when we landed in our new home-city for the first time.” Valerie and her brother David as well as their mother Irene would become close to Daphne during their years in Bangkok. During her assignment at ESCAP, Daphne became well known for her many talents and especially for her integrity and fairness, often being called on by the Division of Administration to chair committees to adjudicate disputes or propose solutions to delicate problems.
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Those who worked for Daphne found her always approachable and reasonable. Merry Sabet, who one day would succeed her as Chief of the Editorial Section at ESCAP, said: “Daphne meant so much to me. She was a generous, compassionate mentor and friend who always looked for the best in people.” Daphne’s close friend Gabrielle Parry added: “There was no dissention or pettiness in her team, which was not always the case in other work stations within the Organization.” Daphne saved the career of one of her staff who had been maligned by a competitor who wanted to push her out so that she could take her higher-level post. Daphne also earned the gratitude of her secretary, Pranee Anamayatana, for getting a previously temporarily funded post regularized, thus enabling her to have a full career in the UN. Daphne also earned the respect of Voravudh Varivong for insisting on hiring him to fill the post of Administrative Assistant when the Personnel Section seemed determined to put a less qualified person into the post. He proved her right by performing at a high level; he was her right-hand man for detailed research work as well as running the office. Daphne loved everything about living in Thailand, especially the gracious, mildmannered Thai people whom she found to be so elegant, kind, gentle and generous, not to mention fun-loving. Daphne never tired of learning about Thailand, its history and culture. She also wanted to learn more about music. In her fifties, she started taking piano lessons from the then Queen of Thailand’s sister-in-law, Khunying (Lady) Arun Kitiyakara, at the stately Deves Palace on the Chao Phraya River. In addition to teaching Daphne how to play the piano, this highly placed relative of the Royal Family also shared her deep knowledge about Thailand. Daphne absolutely loved every form of music, especially singing. She was blessed with a superb voice, initially soprano but eventually becoming alto as she grew older. She sang on Sundays in the Christ Church choir, as one friend said, “insisting to sing to the glory of God” and not get tangled in dogmatic issues. She also sang with the choir on special occasions, such as Annual Christmas Carols at Government House and Carol Singing for patients and staff at BNH Hospital. She sang at many concerts with the Bangkok Music Society. Her friend Jo Weir said that Daphne was proud to be part of the Alto Section for “The Glory” – a concert organized in October 1999 in celebration of the forthcoming Sixth Cycle (seventy-second) Birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Daphne wanted to share her love of music with others too. Together with some Thai friends, she was very instrumental in setting up a choral society in which young Thai people could enjoy singing classical Western music. Daphne also gave solo performances at UN evenings. One song she particularly loved to sing, according to her friend Veronica (Nikki) Flatt, was “Nobody Loves a Fairy When She’s Forty,” for which she dressed in a fairy outfit with a fairy wand. Daphne also encouraged young aspiring singers from other countries in Southeast Asia, sponsoring them to attend operatic workshops. Some of them did indeed become opera singers. Even when she was ill and frequently in the hospital in her late eighties and early nineties, nurses and other staff would gather at her bedside and ask her to sing, which she did. Thrilled, they clapped and squealed with delight. She responded with a beaming smile, happy that her singing talent so pleased her little audience of caregivers and visitors.
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Daphne also supported some needy children to attend school to as high a level as they were capable of attaining, some graduating from university. Khun Prajim’s daughter “A” considered Daphne to be one of her aunties and sought every opportunity to learn English by speaking with her frequently. Daphne also supported “A” to spend some time in the UK to improve her fluency in English. “A” was so successful that, by the time she was a young woman, she spoke English well with a British accent and married an Englishman; she currently works at the British Embassy in Bangkok. Daphne joined the British Women’s Group in 2000. She regularly attended coffee mornings and lunches and was an active member of the Welfare Sub-committee. She and her fellow sub-committee member, Liz Dobson, took a particular interest in Shalem House in Soi Suan Phlu, which is a facility that provides accommodation and support for impoverished families that need to come to Bangkok from other parts of Thailand so that their children could receive specialized hospital care. The pair enjoyed going around Bangkok with Khun Pajim shopping for those families, and Daphne paid for a roof over the entranceway so that the visitors could use an outside area. Members of the congregation of Christ Church, including Daphne and Liz, comprised Shalem House’s major donors. Daphne liked to observe certain traditions which she created, such as organizing annual birthday parties for all her friends who were fellow Aquarians, including Khun Prajim, Janet Farooq and her maid Noy, Grania Skeldon, Barbara and Derek Greenland, and Dr. Surachai Vichankaiyakij, the UN physician. Another such tradition was held around Christmas time. Daphne organized an annual cruise on the Chao Phraya River to a little peninsula in Pak Kret to enjoy a picnic with friends: “Derick the Teach” Garnier; “Derek the Biz” Greenland and his wife Barbara; David Jenkins and his wife Irene; John Loftus; Gabby Parry and some British visitors from overseas. She sometimes assigned fun names to friends to distinguish one from the other or just for pure fun; however, she made up some less-thanflattering names for people whom she found “difficult.” Daphne’s wry sense of humor was relentless; her quick repartee and wit would be difficult for almost anyone to match. Daphne was admired and respected by UN officers and staff at every level. Janet Farooq remembered that, when United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan was briefing staff during a visit to Bangkok, he noticed Daphne in the audience. He immediately left the podium and strode through the rows of seats just to greet her in person. At that time, she had already retired but was helping out with editing as she regularly did during particularly busy times and for major meetings. Upon her retirement in 1990, Daphne became a legal permanent resident of Thailand. Nonetheless, she owned an apartment in Ferney, France, which is just across the border from Geneva. She intended to enjoy holidays there when the weather got excessively hot in Bangkok. Throughout her life, Daphne developed deep friendships. Her friends were loyal and continued to stay in contact with her even after they retired and moved to other countries around the world. Nikki and Andrew Flatt maintained frequent telephone contact with Daphne from England and often returned to Bangkok to visit her. Likewise, when still in good health, Janet and Ghazi Farooq made annual visits from Vancouver Island, as did Ron (and sometimes Grania) Skeldon from the UK. Gabby Parry (several times) and Elisabeth Derek travelled from their homes in Europe to see Daphne and maintained frequent telephone contact. Other repeat visitors from several countries were Roberta Brangam, Dienne Miller, Federico Soda, Nicole and Sompol Suthimai, Jo and Colin Weir, Marcia Brewster, Samsiah Abdulmajid, Graham Taylor and one of her closest friends from the 1960s David Jenkins. 5
Another repeat visitor was Marguerite Manshreck-Head. On her most recent trip in February 2019, Marguerite became the last friend from abroad to visit Daphne before her health started to fail. She continued to remain in contact with Daphne by telephone, cards and letters from Ottawa. Merry Sabet was planning a trip from New York to see Daphne in early 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic soon resulted in closed borders making the trip impossible. Daphne had local Thai and international friends too numerous to name. Until she fell ill, Daphne was a member of a small group of like-minded UN retirees who met for a monthly lunch and pleasant conversation at le Normandie in The Oriental Hotel. The numerous friends of Daphne were her friends forever. Although Daphne was still in the hospital when she turned 90, Khun Prajim organized a small birthday party for her at which there was no lack of gaiety and fun. The room was filled with friends, quiet conversation and soft singing so as not to disturb other patients. Daphne was blissful and even enjoyed a sip or two of champagne in the toasts to her recovery. “A” and her husband Martin Abel supplied a beautiful birthday cake decorated with a realistic sugar figurine of Daphne as a young woman wearing a white dress with purple flower designs and a matching bonnet. They showed the confectioner a picture of the real outfit and she matched it well. Being in the hospital didn’t diminish Daphne’s joy on turning 90 in the company of so many friends in a room filled with gifts, flowers and cakes. Before the coronavirus outbreak got severe when Daphne was incapacitated, Khun Prajim would invite members of the Christ Church Choir to visit Daphne en masse in the apartment and sing with her and enjoy refreshments in a little party. Others who were frequent but separate visitors while Daphne was bedridden included her friends Mary Vongsuly, Norma Arya, Lynne Rohwer, and Liz Dobson who sometimes joined Daphne and Khun Prajim in watching tennis matches on television. Not only had Daphne been an active member of the Christ Church Choir but she also had been at various times a member of the Parish Council. When health issues made it no longer possible for Daphne to attend church, she was visited regularly, at her apartment or in the hospital, by clergy from Christ Church and other members who prayed and shared communion with her. Rev. G. Steve and Marie Goode would frequently visit Daphne for these purposes and, while administering sacraments, would recite some relevant Bible passages and explain their deeper meaning to her. The essence of Christian belief in why death is necessary is clearly explained in 1 Corinthians 15. While still in good health Daphne completed a will, in which she requested that upon her death a memorial service be held at her beloved Christ Church on the corner of Sathorn and Convent Roads, next to the former British Nursing Home, which is now called BNH Hospital. A selection of her favourite hymns chosen by her loyal friend Mary Vongsuly will be sung by friends and members of the choir. A clergyman will officiate. As also stipulated in her will, half of Daphne’s ashes will be placed in the Memorial Garden at Christ Church and the remainder given to helper, dear friend and faithful companion for more than 45 years, Khun Prajim, for her to keep at her home. Khun Prajim remained her loyal caregiver even after Daphne fell seriously ill, eventually becoming bedridden for several years prior to the end of her life, and finally requiring 24-hour professional nursing care. No daughter could have loved and cared for her mother more than Khun Prajim did for Daphne. That bond of love is eternal. 6
Another of Daphne’s close friends from ESCAP, Keiko Kimura, made life as comfortable and secure as possible for Daphne, driving or accompanying her to see doctors, keeping track of her medications and making sure that all the many administrative matters were taken care of to give both Daphne and Khun Prajim peace of mind. When Daphne could no longer communicate by email with her many friends around the world, John Loftus, another of her friends from ESCAP, kept them informed about her health and any changes in her condition. He also acted as a sounding board for Keiko when important decisions had to be made concerning Daphne’s welfare. During her long life, Daphne enriched the lives of all who knew her and loved her. Although Daphne is no longer with us, she will continue to live in the memory of all her many friends around the world. May she rest in peace.
Photos
Below: Colwell siblings as children and (next page) as adults
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Below: Picture of Daphne in print dress and bonnet used for creating figurine to decorate her 90th birthday cake
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THE BRITISH WOMEN’S GROUP BANGKOK Here is some useful information about what we do and when: 1st Thursday of every month: Committee meeting 2nd Thursday of every month: Coffee Morning 3rd Thursday of every month: Lunch 4th Thursday of every month: An Activity OUR REGULAR WEEKLY/ MONTHLY ACTIVITIES - You are warmly invited to join these groups, but final approval (spaces) is up to the group organiser Mondays:
MAH-JONG at The British Club 10:00 am - 13:00 pm (beginners welcome) Contact: Petra Gordon 083 991 9041 Tuesdays: BRIDGE Contact: Audrie Sill 098 832 0313 GOLF Contact: Ami 097 185 1834 Wednesdays: MAH-JONG at Bistro33 10am - 13:00 pm (beginners welcome) Contact: Elizabeth Bryans 062 016 9323 st BOOK CLUB: The book club meets up the 1 Tuesday each month. For more information contact Laura Smith 0859667580 PRISON VISITING: This is on hold at the moment due to the Covid situation. For more information please talk to Gale Bailey 081 828 5213
At every lunch or coffee morning please bring along if you can: RING PULLS - from tops of aluminium drinks cans. Jane Rodgers collects these and they go towards helping to make prosthetics. PLASTIC TOPS - from drinks bottles as they are made into all sorts of things which can be sold, pot plant holders for one example. Talk to Jackie Reynolds for more details. SPARE CHANGE FOR THE ALMS BOWL – collecting any spare small change. You will see this being passed around at our events, all proceeds go to help our Welfare Group (tip – save at home and bring along) KNITTED or CROCHET SQUARES - something anyone can do at any time. Squares of 6” or any length divisible by 6 - any questions please talk to Sally Voravarn: 089 234 7074 These are sent to Sister Louise at the Fatima Centre of the Good Shepherd Sisters Bangkok, where they are sewn together, backed and made into blankets for the rural communities up country. SECOND HAND BOOKS - sold upstairs at The Royal Oak, Sukhumvit 33/1 B50 per book or B100 for 3. Books are always needed for re-stocking, you can drop off your unwanted ones directly at the pub or at the Fatima Shop in the same Soi.
PLACE OF GRACE: On certain occasions we ask for donations of dried goods e.g. rice, noodles, coffee 3in1, baby milk powder, tins of vegetables, fruit or milk, toiletries plus freebies from hotels or airline bags are very welcome. Please watch out for our requests on Facebook and in our email messages. Talk to any committee member who will give you more ideas on what is needed. HOME OF GRACE: unwanted clothing and household items are sold by this charity. Please talk to Jackie Reynolds for more information 089 539 9375
Shout Out! MedConsult – Dr Donna
Dr Donna always supports BWG with generous donations to raffle appeals. She is herself an active member of BWG and is often in attendance at BWG events – say hello and introduce yourself to her next time! Her company, MedConsult, has been active in Bangkok for over 35 years.
Currently the clinic offers one of the cheapest PCR/fit to fly tests in Bangkok at 1500B and is extremely competitive in pricing, of all services, compared to the major hospitals. www.medconsultasia.com
BWG British Women’s Group DONATION FEEDBACK Date:
May 2022
Project Title:
Medical Support for lingual frenectomy
Amount donated:
7,500 Baht
Location of Project:
66/63 Udomsuk Soi 20, Sukhumvit Soi 103, Bangna Bangkok, 10250, Thailand
Aon and Captain
About Aon and Captain Aon and Captain came from Lorenzo Foundation an orphanage home in Chonburi. ‘Ever since I can remember, my mother was sick and passed away at the hospital in Kanchanaburi’ (Aon). Aon’s Aunt took her to the Phayathai Baby's house after confirming that her blood result was HIV+, this is where she resided from the age of six through to eighteen years of age. Aon met Captains’ father when she was eighteen, at the time she was working in a nursing home in the Bang Bon district. After three years of dating, Aon gave birth to Captain. Captains father tried to support them all on his sole salary though it soon became a financial struggle as full-time work in the provinces was limited. Aon knew one of the Little Bird’s members (Mimi) and decided to bring Captain to the city where the Little Birds were able to provide support to them and help them apply for pre-kindergarten school. This strategy would allow Aon to pursue more work as well, she was working in a restaurant and at Captain’s school as a mentor. Unfortunately, due to failing health she was not able to maintain the huge workload and had to leave the school mentor role. Soon after Aon and Captain came to reside at the LB House financial support fell away from the father, he made no contact and occasionally sent 300-500 baht from time to time. Aon has now been a single mother raising Captain on her own for the past three years. Aside from all the family tribulations, Aon was struggling to understand her child’s ‘Lingual Frenectomy’ knowing she could not afford any doctor’s consultations or medications she was at a loss with the situation. Again, she approached LB as life was becoming more complicated for Captain as he grew, and the speech impediment was progressively getting worse. With the incredible donation from the British Women’s Group, we use the fund to support in navigating this solution for Aon and Captain.
The generosity of the funds has provided the following: Y Consultation with a health specialist to diagnose and manage Lingual Frenectomy Y Transport to and from ongoing consultations Y Food and medications for Captain Y After surgery medical consultations (**both photos of Captain are pre-operation**)
Lingual Frenectomy A lingual frenectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a band of tissue that connects the underside of the tongue with the bottom of the mouth. This procedure treats patients having difficulty eating or speaking. These patients are often referred to as being tongue-tied. Both Aon and Captain are both doing well post-surgery and life is looking upwards with Aon also taking on a leadership position with Little Birds. We will endeavor to keep BWG updated. In gratitude and Kindness.
Our very own Shout Outs! The BWG supports many Thailand based charities and in particular those that are education based – helping youth today to help themselves and their community tomorrow. Thailand Hilltribes Education Project BWG sponsor at least one student (15,000 Baht pa) through high school and university. www.thepthailand.com
Human Development Foundation BWG sponsor 2 students in Klong Toey (8,000 Baht each pa) through high school and university. www.mercycentre.org
Imagine Thailand Foundation BWG sponsor 2 students (12,000 each pa) through High School and University www.imaginethailand.org
Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok Known as the ‘Milk Run’, BWG donates towards the weekly milk runs and cost of baby milk powder and rice in Rung Moo community, Klong Toey.
New Life Centre, Chiang Mai BWG sponsor a child through high school and university (12,000B pa) www.newlifecenterfoundation.org
Steps BWG sponsors a student with additional needs (20,000B pa) to be trained and supported to find employment in the catering trade. Steps run three coffee shops/training centres in Bangkok – please visit and support! www.stepscommunity.com/about-us
Fatima Centre Empowering women and children living in poverty. The Fatima shop (near Villa Sukhumvit 33) sells a wide range of exceptionally well made embroidered goods that are fun, educational and unique. These goods are handmade and give women dignity as well as a fair price for their quality work. BWG offices are here and we pay rental to the centre for rooms and storage as well as supporting with further donations. www.goodshepherdthailand.org
As well as our continued annual support to the above we are constantly making donations to other charities that need help. We recently donated 10,000B to Rejoice in Chiang Mai for milk powder for feeding mothers with HIV and also to Little Birds, helping support young orphans with HIV. Thank you for your support of BWG and our events, enabling us to support all of the above and more.
Shout Out! Bistro 33 Bistro 33 is a long-term supporter of BWG. They give us space for mahjong and art groups and always contribute to our raffles. Please support them! They have space and catering for special events or parties and do an excellent Sunday lunch. www. thebistro33.com
Shout Out! Varuna Sailing Club The Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC) sponsor our raffles and donate prizes. RVYC is situated in Chonburi, only 2 hours away. If you want to get away from the air of Bangkok why not take a trip here? It is a family friendly place with accommodation, club house, private beach and more. www.varuna.org
Shout Out! Jimmy’s Kitchen Jimmy’s Kitchen supports the BWG by providing raffle prizes. This is an excellent place to take visitors, or for anyone, to learn Thai cooking and carving. Please support her if you can. www.jimmys-kitchen.com Phone 0819096729
Shout Out! The Royal Oak Pub The Royal Oak is a long-term sponsor of the BWG, allowing us meeting space as well as supporting raffles, and book sales. Bookshelves on the first floor are well stocked with up to date and popular titles and worth a look at 100B for 3 books. (Feel free to leave your own book donations too). The Oak does an excellent Sunday Roast and if you’re looking for an ‘English Pub’ with quizzes and sports events in the week, then this your pub!
Lunch at Unico 23 Thursday’s lunch this month was at Unico 23, just on, errr, Sukhumvit 23! A hidden gem tucked away behind another restaurant and definitely worth a visit.
There were 19 of us in attendance with a choice of 2 course set menu or 3 courses, which for the most part turned into 3 courses after seeing the dessert selection. We welcomed a couple of new members, Grace and Sandy. We hope you will enjoy your time with BWG and enjoy and support activities and events. We also welcomed back Geneva, and trust you have a good holiday back in Bangkok – good to see you again.
The food was excellent, the presentation was exquisite and attention to details was meticulous.
Below are not professional photos (no offence, Lisa) but taken just before we ate.
Do not be alarmed, this is not a fire but some of the beautifully presented desserts.
If you haven’t tried this place before I would definitely recommend it. The set lunches are excellent value and the evening al a carte menu is extensive and delicious; service is good and friendly and wine prices are reasonable.
Shout Out! Tou Stainless Steel K Pan supports the BWG by giving raffle prizes. Please support him if you can. He has an excellent show room at Palladium Mall on the ground floor, Room 1B, 238, Zone Bit’s right towards the back! Mention BWG if you visit.
Tonpo Shop – Amarin Plaza K Porn supports BWG with donations to raffles. Please support her if you can. Her shop is on the 3rd Floor. She often has 50% discounts! Please mention BWG if you visit.
Shout Out! PJ O’Brien’s PJ O’Brien’s supports the BWG with raffle prizes. You can find them just off the BTS at Phra Khanong. They often have live music on and have a British food menu as well as Thai. Please support them if you can.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! We would like to wish a really happy birthday to:
Jane Rogers - 13th July Jackie Reynolds - 15th July Sally Fisken - 16th July Ann Hossack - 18th July Porntip Utsahaphan - 19th July Rita Berry - 21st July Patricia Frost - 22nd July Sheila Tuchinda - 26th July Gale Bailey MBE - 26th July Sanya Stanley - 27th July Gilly Adams - 29th July Elizabeth Bryans - 29th July
Have a wonderful day and we are all thinking of you!
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Coffee Morning at Kai
Coffee Morning this month was at Kai in Sathorn (good suggestion, Joan) and was well attended by both ‘old’ and new members. We enjoyed a delicious ‘brunch’ of spiced carrot cake, muffins and scrambled eggs with bacon or avocado.
We were delighted that 3 new members could join us, and we welcome Barbara, Sophia and Faye, and hope you enjoy BWG fun and activities as much as we do.
We were also humbled to welcome K Usanee and K New to speak to us about a charity we support, called ‘Little Birds’. K Usanee explained that Little Birds supports and works with HIV young adults, acting as a ‘halfway house’ for youngsters leaving the care system. Although being 18 years old and ‘adults’ they are often orphaned and have little in the way of support, help and advice to get jobs, accommodation, and access medication. Little Bird’s provides this support through education, temporary accommodation and counselling.
The BWG supports Little Birds financially and last month donated a further 7,500B to help out. (We all wish it could be more). Members also brought dry food, tea & coffee as well as personal items to further support. Petra thanked K Usanee and explained that often our purchases at coffee mornings are negotiated at a cheaper rate as there are so many of us, and so each coffee morning we make a small ‘profit’ that is donated to our charities. So not only are you enjoying good coffee and great company, you are also helping good causes – win, win!
Thank you, Petra for organising another lovely coffee morning and to Gale for bringing in K Usanee to speak –she provided us with such a thought provoking and passionate talk. Hope to see you all at the next Coffee Morning at The Ambassador’s Residence on Thursday June 9th. Come dressed to impress for a Platinum Jubilee themed morning complete with bubbles to toast the Queen! Time to look out those dresses, hats and fascinators, ladies.
