WORLD VISION MAGAZINE
27th
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2013 SHOOTING OUT HER SORROWS
GIFTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
COLOURFUL PLASTIC BASKETS BRING HOPE TO SISTERS
CONTENTS
3 Message from the National Director 4 Events
8 Shooting Out Her Sorrows
12 Ban Yan Udom School’s Cleaning Secret
10 Meaningful Correspondences
14 Gifts Of Social Development
11 Lalita’s Unbreakable Bond
18 Colourful Plastic Baskets Bring Hope To Sisters
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD:
Chitra Thumborisuth, Bunjongsek Supsopha, Wiwat Srithanangkun, Prasop Khunsithi, Veeva Charnvitidkul EDITOR: Jessica Mauer | CONTRIBUTORS: Jessica Mauer, Duangporn Choktippattana, Paiwan Benjakul, Somluck Khamsaen, Prakit Lelaviwat, Titi Laohapinyojantra, Keurkoon Phoomwittaya | ARTWORK: Wittawat Suttipongkeat | TRANSLATOR: Monrudi Chantawichianwat READ MAGAZINE ONLINE OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT:
www.worldvision.or.th | E-mail: info@worldvision.or.th | Facebook: World Vision Foundation of Thailand WORLD VISION Magazine’s purpose is to inform and create better understanding of the work of World Vision Foundation of Thailand, and to report back to our many valuable supporters. For donors, child sponsors, churches, government agencies and organisations in the private sectors who have been supporting WVFT’s work, helping the needy, The Magazine also encourages all people who have not yet considered supporting our work, to take the rewarding step of joining WORLD VISION. All right reserved. Copyright © 2013 by World Vision Foundation of Thailand.
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FRONT COVER: David Samranpaiwan BACK COVER: Prakit Lelaviwat
World Vision Magazine
MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Dear Supporters and Friends, World Vision recently predicted having contributed to the well-being of 120 million children globally, 109 million of whom were vulnerable children. In many cases, World Vision helped children and their families in more than one aspect. Across the country, World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) continues to work with respected partners and communities in the country with one common goal: sustained well-being of children within their families and the community, especially the most vulnerable. This magazine is filled with inspiring stories of innovative ways that communities and individuals have worked together to change their circumstances. The following pages cover some of the ways WVFT is changing the cycle of poverty through livelihood, health, advocacy, and educational programmes. Nelson Mandela, who celebrated his 95th birthday this year, once said “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” WVFT continues to heed this advice through the opening of new libraries, school dormitories, sponsoring individual children’s education and expanding our bachelor’s degree project. We are grateful for the support we have received from our sponsors and donors across the country and all over the globe. Together we have changed the lives of children and communities across Thailand. We could not have done any of our relief work without the unwavering and continuous support of our sponsors and donors. Thank you, Chitra Thumborisuth National Director World Vision Magazine
NEW CHANGES IN WORLD VISION MAGAZINE We would like to inform you of our magazine layout changes. The magazine will be published into Thai and English languages and we will be printing the Thai version only. Therefore, in order to cut down costs and printing resources, Thai sponsors will receive the Thai version by mail and foreign sponsors will be sent the English version by email. If any Thai sponsor wishes to have the English version, you may email info@worldvision.or.th with your email address. Or if you do not wish to receive the Thai version in printed form, but in PDF file, you may also send us your request. You may download World Vision magazine in both languages at www.worldvision.or.th
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EVENTS
THE FAMINE THAT DRIVES A CHANGE KFC and Pizza Hut, represented by Mr Milind Pant, Managing Director of Yum Restaurants International (Thailand), donated 4,000,000 Baht at this year’s famine event aiming to raise awareness on hunger. The donation and an additional 37,700 Baht which was raised through the Famine event went to suppor ting WVFT’s “Lunch Programme” and “Breakfast for Kids” projects in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Saket and Loei provinces of Thailand. The Famine event was held in more than 20 countries. For WVFT, the 19th Famine event was organised in conjunction with KFC, attracting 1,500 attendees. All Famine participants abstained from food and drinks throughout the four-hour event in order to relate to the hunger that children experience. Mrs Chitra said, “This donation will benefit over
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4,000 children who will be able to eat healthy morning meals through the “Breakfast for Kids” project in three provinces. The “Lunch Programme” will train students to grow vegetables and mushroom as well as raise chicken and catfish in their schools.” The crowd, which turned up in force, donated to WVFT, enjoyed the various booths, in addition to mini-concerts by Nu Lek from The Voice, Nat Natcha Nualjam, Windy Smile and Jetset’er. Ja Natthaweeranuch Thongmee, Hunny Cholaphansa Narula, and Per Suvikrom Amranand anchored the event. The WVFT children from Jatujak project’s choir performance touched the participants’ hearts with their performance and ended the event with participants counting down to mark the end of the fast.
World Vision Magazine
EVENTS
BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG LITERARY MINDS Ms Paranya Keetaworanar t and her group organised “The Book of My Heart” project with the goal of sharing their favourite stories with the younger gener ation. On 22 May 2013, Ms Paranya donated a total of 500 books to Wat Pong Ta Mook School, located in Panthong district, Chonburi province which is World Vision Foundation of Thailand’s project area. Of the 500 books, over 100 were handed out to the secondary school students while 400 books went to the school library. Ms Paranya hopes the project will instill the love of reading in all the children involved.
WVFT DONATES RELIEF ITEMS TO MAE SURIN FIRE VICTIMS A fire broke out in temporary shelters in a refugee camp in Ban Mae Surin camp in Mae Hong Son province in March. Thirty-six lost their lives, 100 were injured and 400 homes razed to the ground leaving 2,300 Burmese refugees homeless. (Daily News 26/03/13) WVFT, a group of donors and Chiang Mai Chau Chang off-road motorcyclists group traveled to Mae Surin and handed out relief supplies to thousands of victims. Children and families came forward to receive the donated necessities such as tooth brushes, tooth paste, and snacks.
World Vision Magazine
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EVENTS
TEN THOUSAND STEPS TO FILL HUNGRY TUMMIES Unveiling an IOS system application called ‘Let’s Walk by Shokubutusu for Men’ that records the number of steps the IOS user takes daily was launched on January 31, 2013. For every 10,000 steps taken per day, the points can be converted into three morning meals for a child through World Vision Foundation Thailand’s ‘Breakfast for Kids’ project.
On 28 May, 2013, during the handover ceremony Ms Vandee Wongboonsin, Category Manager of Beauty Care of Lion Corporation (Thailand) Ltd donated 10,000 breakfast meals which were gratefully received by Dr Bunjongsek Supsopha, WVFT’s Marketing and Fundraising Director. Mr. Yongyuth Songcharoen, who contributed the most number of meals through his long walks was proud to see the exchange. Mr Yongyuth downloaded the application in February and accumulated enough steps for conversion into 1,046 meals before the end of May. His contribution remains the highest to date. “At first, I only intended to take a few hundred steps, but I gradually raised my goal to help others, plus walking is a good way to lose weight,” he revealed. Mr Yongyuth has joined WVFT’s events on several occasions including biding for items put up for auction by celebrities. “Breakfast is important particularly to children - that’s why we decided to donate the meals through WVFT,” Ms Vandee said. She has a special message for the two to seven year-olds who will be eating healthily through the ‘Breakfast for Kids’ project. “All the adults who donated to the project are always thinking of you,” Ms Vandee affirms. “Shokubutsu represents the kindhearted adults who worked to donate breakfast to you so you are equipped to learn and grow every day.”
A LIFE CHANGING HOME FOR BALL On May 18, 2013, Mr. Michael Joseph Grisaffis and supporters of the ‘Housing Construction’ project, travelled to Aranyaprathet district, Sakaeo province to hand over a new house to Nattapong Kedtoommee, better known as Ball, 11, and his family. Boonpeng, Ball’s 50 year-old father described their living conditions before the World Vision stepped in “we formerly lived in an old shack that is almost 10 years old. The wood flooring was rotten. The roof was made of corrugated iron, the walls were discarded scraps of wood and the toilet was badly damaged. When it rained, the water would come inside and our belongings would get wet and damaged,” “I’m delighted to receive a new home and I want to thank you very much. My family is very happy. Thank you once again,” Ball expressed his joy and gratitude. When interviewed, Mr. Grisaffis expressed his happiness for being able to help Ball’s family. “I’m impressed to hear that he is smiling. It looks like he has received new strength. His life will change for the better.”
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World Vision Magazine
EVENTS
HAPPY TB-FREE FRIDAY EVENT World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT), a member of the Stop TB Partnership Thailand, organised “Happy TB-Free Friday” at WVFT’s national office along Ekkamai road. Joining this one-day event were actor & singer Tae Sattawat Sethakorn and singer Naphat Groves who toured the neighbourhood to invite residents to join in and later graced the stage to share their experiences and knowledge of TB. Mrs Chitra Thumborisuth, National Director of WVFT, marked the event opening by cutting a ribbon in the shape of a TB germ. Mrs Chitra stressed that the spread of TB can be curbed if it is detected early, diagnosed correctly and medicated continuously. Dr Yuthichai Kasetjaroen, an esteemed member of the Department of Disease Control, hosted a talk on TB while urging people to immediately see a doctor if their coughs contain blood and persist for more than two weeks. Early detection also reduces treatment period. Attendees enjoyed free health check-ups offered by Health Centre 21 Wat That Thong and mobile chest x-ray service from Bang Pai Hospital. Big C superstore courteously provided free drinking water. “Happy TB-Free Friday” closed with a mini-concert from Mrs Naphat, who performed her newest song, ‘Lonely.’ The serenading music put a peaceful closure to an eventful afternoon.
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SPONSORSHIP FEATURE
SHOOTING OUT HER SORROWS by Somluck Khamsaen
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reaw’s parents died leaving Preaw and her younger sister, Prem, orphans when they were only eight and four years old. Without assistance, the chances of Preaw getting a high school education let alone graduating from university would be a harsh cry from reality. Luckily with World Vision Foundation of Thailand’s help Preaw’s dreams have become a reality; she will graduate university next year. Preaw describes her life as an arrow that was shot out of sorrow and aimed directly at success. She has her Canadian sponsor cheering her on and WVFT supporting her and her family for the last 13 years. Preaw ran straight to her uncle’s house and hurriedly knocked on the door. “Uncle and aunty, hurry, come and see my mother,” Preaw cried out. “She is very sick, she has asked me to come and call you.” The night her mother passed away is a painful memory, even 13 years later. Preaw lost her parents while she was in primary school. Her father passed away first from a painful illness. Eight year old Preaw was quickly accepted into the child sponsorship programme. Preaw’s mother was sick for a full year before she passed. Preaw received full support while her mother was in her last stage of illness. The assistance she received from World Vision, such as milk, rice and other dry food helped to relieve their troubles and give her hope. When her mother died, Preaw and her younger sister were taken in by their uncle, Daeng, and their aunt, who have one daughter of their own. Daeng grew tobacco and the family had quite a hard life. Burdens multiplied, forcing Daeng to migrate to other town to find work. Preaw continued to receive encouragement from WVFT staff, school uniforms, supplies, books, educational trips during the summer holidays, school fees and special gifts for her birthday every year from Mom Thelma, her beloved sponsor. In the midst of life’s struggle, Preaw found comfort in an unlikely source – the sport of archery. As a Grade 6 student, Preaw was introduced to the bow and arrow by a cousin. “Archery requires concentration and accuracy. I like archery because it helps my concentration,” Preaw says. The thrill of hitting a target, dead on, became Preaw’s mission. “Problems are meant to be solved and obstacles overcome. Success is up to us,” Preaw says confidently. As she continued in her education, she practiced consistently in her extra time. Preaw started to achieve local recognition for her archery and was selected to attend regional competitions. She often used extra cash given by her sponsor to cover her travel expenses to competitions. As she continued to excel in the sport, she started to travel internationally, with her sponsor volunteering to assist with the costs. In 2007, Preaw was selected to represent Thailand in the 24th South East Asia Games held in Nakhon Ratchasima. She won a bronze medal in recurve archery at a shooting distance of 70 meters. Preaw also competed in the World Archery Championships & Para Championship held in Italy in 2011. She is currently training to compete in a national level competition. “I’m not skillful yet. I still have much training to do,” she says modestly. Preaw’s commitment to her sport is equaled to her commitment to her education. She loves to study and is not willing to miss school even for a day. Preaw is now a third year student at Rattanabundit University in Bangkok, majoring in Science and Technology. When there are no classes, she teaches archery to children. Preaw, now 21, is determined to help relieve her uncle’s burdens and send her younger sister to a nursing school. “Thank you very much, Mom Thelma for your love, kindness and support every year. World Vision has had my back all along. I really can’t imagine what my life would be like without Mom Thelma and World Vision. I would probably not have a good future like today. Thank you very much,” says Preaw with a smile.
World Vision Magazine
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SPONSORSHIP FEATURE
MEANINGFUL CORRESPONDENCES
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By Duangporn Choktippattana
n a regular basis, employees of TOAChogoku Paints reply to letters and cards that arrive at their office from the World Vision children. The company sponsors 50 children through World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) and consistently receives handwritten greetings from them. TOA-Chogoku asked if its employees would be keen to answer the letters. The golden rule is the replies must be handwritten as typing is not encouraged. Several staff members began
Pisit Boonchanya
volunteering for the task. Soon they grew to enjoy adding personal drawing and colouring to their correspondences. “Once we interact with the children, we become their parent figures,” comments Pisit Boonchanya, Managing Director of TOAChogoku. “Typically these youngsters come from broken homes with no one to look out for them. So with every card we send them, we’re like their companions, reminding them that they should behave well and study hard.” The company’s ties with WVFT started five years ago through the sponsorship of 38 children. Then in 2013, the company brought up their sponsorship to 50 children following a 300,000 Baht donation to WVFT. “Based on our research, the donation made through WVFT really reaches the kids,” Pisit commends. “Our company recognises the importance of education. Educated children will grow up to be quality adults who would not contribute to social ills.” It is also a good morale boost for some of TOA-Chogoku’s employees. “Often times staff feels exhausted during work. Reading the letters shows them that other people are in a much more difficult situation. It makes them feel good to help others.” In the past, the company has collaborated with WVFT in painting a school building in Prachinburi province. Two Christmases ago, WVFT staff also brought a group of children to sing carols at Pisit’s office. “It was quite nice,” he recalls. “I don’t expect our sponsored children to be top students in school. I just want them to become good citizens in the future,” Pisit says. “My colleagues enjoy every interaction with the children.”
Employees’ Testimonials
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Jintapa Turnjaiton Finance Manager
Sukanya Niyomthai Operation Supervisor
Chanyaluck Kongmee Administrator
“Before the company started this project, I had been personally sponsoring a child for 10 years. What I get in exchange is happiness. My sponsored child told me about her dreams and her family’s living condition, which I imagine along as I read the letter. I know that the donation is valuable in helping a child.”
“I’ve been writing to my sponsored child for five years now. I sent her a picture of my son to tell her that they look alike. I asked her to study hard so she can have a good future. I see her as my own child.”
“I’ve been in touch with my sponsored child for a year since I started working here. I received a letter from the child and I sent a card back with New Year’s blessings. I’m glad to give the child encouragement.”
World Vision Magazine
SPONSORSHIP FEATURE
LALITA’S UNBREAKABLE BOND
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alita Saetay smiles broadly as she recounts her deep bond with WVFT. In grade one she became a sponsored child. Lalita will never forget the mushroom spores that WVFT gave to her family. “At times when we had nothing to eat, the mushroom made wonderful dishes,” she reminisces. Although the project in her area closed down three years ago, Lalita received a scholarship to pursue her undergraduate studies from WVFT’s Bachelor Degree Programme. Today, Lalita is the first of her fellow scholarship recipients to find employment. Since April, the 23 year-old has been working as an accountant. “I was really happy to get a job, but at the same time I was nervous,” she recalls. Lalita earned an accounting degree from Rajamangala
World Vision Magazine
By Duangporn Choktippattana
University of Technology Srivijaya in Songkhla. She received a WVFT Bachelor Degree scholarship in her sophomore year, after which WVFT gave her 2,800 Baht every four months until she graduated. “The scholarship lowered my family’s financial burden by half,” she asserts. Before she received her scholarship her dad had to take out loans while she juggled two parttime jobs. “Lalita remembers ‘on school breaks, I used to work from 8 am – 10 pm. During the school semester, I had to work at night.” The importance of education was drilled into her since childhood. “My father, having only finished grade 2, has no choice but to work a backbreaking job which he starts at 2 am.” He makes a living moving squid into a carriage so that they can be transported. On good days he earns 1,000
Baht while on bad days, he gets 30 Baht. Lalita’s mother can’t contribute to household income. In addition to suffering from heart and blood diseases, her mum has been paralysed since Lalita was young. “It was a tough time. My five siblings and I had to bathe, feed and clean her. I also had to take care of my youngest brother, who is half my age,” she reveals. These days things are looking up. Her mother can move around more and two of her brothers are working. Lalita has set her sight on becoming an auditor. “I love inspecting numbers and finding the flaws,” she enthuses. “I would like to thank my sponsor,” Lalita says. “Having a bachelor degree is a great honour for me and my family. Your help has lit up my life - otherwise I would never made it here.”
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SPONSORSHIP FEATURE
BAN YAN UDOM SCHOOL’S CLEANING SECRET by Paiwan Benjakul
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leaning again?” many children around the globe protest when cleaning is ever mentioned. Children would be overjoyed if a magic wand existed where with a wave of the wand, every nook and cranny of the school would be clean in the blink of an eye. Alas, such supernatural wands exist only in fairy tales. So, what can be done to make tedious cleaning interesting for children? Sixth and seventh graders from Ban Yan Udom School in Lam Thab district, manufactured their own cleaning detergent. WVFT’s area development program in Lam Thab provided materials and ingredients on top of training the students. Not only is it educational and a bit of fun, the students can also apply this skill as a means of generating supplementary income between studies. “The students make bio multi-purpose detergent, we can use it for everything and don’t have to worry that students will be allergic to chemicals in soaps,” says Mrs Pruedsarat Petcharit, teacher at Ban Yan Udom School, The students make liquid bio-fertilizer from pineapple peelings 7-10 days in advance and wait until the fermented liquid turns dark brown with a sour smell. The liquid is then strained and used as a solvent. The students place the ingredients in a basin, measure out portions accordingly and take turns to stir. They add a few drops of yellow food colouring into the mixture creating an inviting lemon colour and throw in a couple drops of perfume to add the final touch. “When we finish making the detergent, our teacher allows us to take some home. When we run out we can buy more at school for only 10 Baht a bottle.” sixth grade student Patcharapon said.
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This project has been a good teaching method and brought science to life in the classroom and reduced the school’s cleaning costs. Mrs Pruedsarat gratefully expressed the influence WVFT has had on the school “WVFT provided support to the school project in 2011, since then the school has not had to buy any cleaning detergent. World Vision is the only organisation that looks after both children and staff. A lot of sponsored children attend our school. WVFT helps the students and the school by giving support to many of our school activities – so many that it’s hard to keep up. Thank you very much.”
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World Vision Magazine
OYSTER MUSHROOMS BRING HOPE AND EDUCATION by Somluck Khamsaen
World Vision Magazine
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awarat bends down and slowly ducks into her little mushroom nursery at the back of her house. Light enters the small opening. Rows and rows of oyster mushrooms sit on wooden planks as high as 11 shelves. Water flows from the water hose in the girl’s hand. She laughs every time she comes to the mushroom nursery to play. Nawarat, 12, lives with her parents in a little bamboo house in a rural village in the north of Thailand. Her father was unemployed and life was very difficult at home. The family would often go to sleep hungry and anxious about the next day. WVFT extended its hand to Nawarat’s family and important changes began to take place. Nawarat was accepted into the children with learning disabilities project. Her special class is furnished with extra development equipment, board games, and learning materials. Teachers with special skills use individual curriculum for each child. Nawarat’s family was provided with oyster mushrooms to ensure that the girl has enough food to eat and her parents can use the training that they received to grow mushrooms as an income-generating livelihood. “I was very stressed and had lost hope. I was anxious as my daughter kept failing classes. I thought that she was not attentive, I did not know she had a learning difficulty. Since my daughter has been enrolled in a special class, she wants to go to school every day and is much happier,” says her mother. “Our family’s mushroom nursery has just been done. The 500 mushroom spores that WVFT gave us are starting to germinate. Soon we will harvest the mushrooms and cook them for our daughter to eat and sell some to our neighbours. We will have money for Narawat’s school supplies and extra expenses. I’m a lot happier and I no longer worry about her education,” says the mother happily.
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SPONSORSHIP FEATURE
GIFTS OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT By Duangporn Choktippattana
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orporate Social Development is an approach adopted by World Vision to help communities in its project areas gain livelihood stability. It is part of an initiative called Micro Enterprise Development (MED), in which WVFT assists villagers in establishing livelihood groups as well as offers them microloans as a form of start-up capital. MED also works to expand marketing opportunities for the group’s products. WVFT has been selling rice, fabric and bags created by the communities since the start of 2013. In pursuing Corporate Social Development, WVFT selects promising livelihood groups from their project areas. If members lack the skills to manage their venture, WVFT provides them with the training. WVFT occasionally gives them an extra hand on special orders. Quality check is conducted to ensure production meets the standard.
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World Vision Magazine
WVFT also helps the livelihood groups market their products such as:
1. Imjai (Hearty) Rice On sales are six varieties of rice harvested from WVFT’s project areas in the northeast and north, namely Suwannapoom ADP (Roi Et province) and Thong Saen Khan ADP (Uttaradit province.) They are repackaged by W VF T in fabric bags produced by Muang Phon ADP (Khon Kaen province) and bamboo basket bags from Panat Nikhom ADP (Chonburi province). Price: 45- 80 Baht for single packs; 100-300 Baht for gift sets.
3. Happiness Fabric Gift Bag Thailand’s traditional all-purpose cloth, the Pha Khao Ma, is reinvented into bags. While the fabric is woven by three groups from Kham Ta Kla ADP (Sakon Nakhon province), they are sewn into bags by communities in Muang Phon (Khon Kaen province) ADP and Aranyaprathet ADP (Sa Kaew province). Price: 75 Baht.
2. Ounjai (Warmhearted) Scarf and Shawl Handwoven from cotton and created by villagers in the northeast from Muang Phon ADP (Khon Kaen province) and Kham Ta Kla ADP (Sakon Nakhon province). Price: 100-230 Baht.
These items can be purchased directly from WVFT’s national office at Ekkamai road. Gift sets can be customised. For more details, please call 081-7080-7111.
The income generated from the sales of these items goes back to the communities and WVFT. The income keeps the livelihood groups financially viable, which in turn creates employment in their communities and prevents members from migrating to the city which benefits their children. Improving the well-being of children constitutes the core mission of WVFT. As the Corporate for Social Development model unravels to its full breadth, WVFT hopes the livelihood groups will donate some of their profits to assist other aspiring groups. In the pipeline are plans to broaden the product lines and to launch a website to enable online purchasing. These products, crafted by locals, are truly the gifts of social development.
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ANNOUNCE
SPONSORSHIP ADJUSTED RATE
NEW CONVENIENT WAY TO DONATE ONLINE
Dear valued donors, Because of the global and local economic fluctuations in the last 2-3 years which resulted in soaring fuel, food and basic commodity prices and production costs. World Vision Foundation of Thailand would like to earnestly seek your endorsement on the necessary sponsorship rate increase from 500 to 600 baht. This means a 3 baht/day increase to enable us to deliver the needed support that we currently provide our beneficiaries.
World Vision Foundation of Thailand broadens the convenience of donations with debit card payment on its website www.worldvision.or.th. Unlike credit and charge cards, payments using a debit card are immediately transferred from the cardholder’s designated bank account, instead of paying the money back at a later date and occurring extra charges. Although donations go direc tly to W VF T regular programmes this new donation method will be extremely helpful during emergencies as it will allow WVFT to receive funds efficiently and respond more quickly to emergencies.
For more information, please call 0-2381-8863 to 5 Ext. 141-144
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World Vision Magazine
Yes! I want to show kindness to a needy child. Name (Mr/Mrs/Miss) ........................................................................
(Block Letters)
Address ................................................................................................. ............................................ Postal Code.............................................. Telephone Number.........................................Fax............................... Mobile Phone.........................................Date of Birth ....../....../....... E-mail...................................................................................................... I want to sponsor a child (please indicate):
¡ One ¡ Two ¡ Three ¡..... Children Sponsorship Payment: * foreigners living in Thailand ¡ 600 Baht/child/month ¡ 1,800 Baht/child/3 months ¡ 3,600 Baht/child/6 months ¡ 7,200 Baht/child/year If you wish to sponsor more than one child (600 Baht/child/month),
YOU are like a rudder that helps this
please indicate .....................Baht/............children/............ month(s)/year.
small boat in reaching its destination safely.
TODAY we invite you to tell people around you to come and join in creating opportunity for needy children by sponsoring one child. With just a continuous donation of 600 Baht a month through child sponsorship, you can improve the life of a child in a poor family. World Vision Magazine
........................................... Baht to help needy children.
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Together with this, I hereby send my gift by: Charge to my credit card account: (Please fill in the information below)
¡ VISA (every bank) ¡ MASTER (every bank) ¡ AMEX ¡ DINERS Card Number
As a sponsor of a child/children, I authorise WVFT to arrange regular deductions from my credit card as I have stated in the beginning of the form until WVFT receives any further notification of cancellation or changes.
Expiry Date........................................................................................................ Card Owner....................................................................................................... Signature of Card Holder................................................................................ Charge to bank account: (WVFT will send you the form later)
¡ Bangkok Bank ¡ Krung Thai Bank ¡ Kasikorn Bank ¡ Thai Panich Bank ¡ Krung Sri Ayuthya Bank Crossed check payable to World Vision Foundation of Thailand Please tear along the perforated lines.
Chang or Pakpoom, 10, from Kang Krachan district is one of the children who perseveres to obtain an education. Every day it takes at least 4 hours for the boy to walk 16 kilometers to and from school on rugged landscape to board a small boat then another bigger boat. Chang believes that when he completes his education, he will be able to have a good job. Therefore, he is tenacious in his studies and is not discouraged. “I must ride a boat to school. I’m afraid that it will capsize when it rains and there will be no one helping my mother to take care of my younger siblings and I can’t go to school.” Chang’s family consists of 5 people. His father is a hired hand growing corn and weeding grass up on the hills. It will be quite a while before he returns home. His mother makes her living by weeding grass in her home area and takes care of her three children. The youngest daughter is not yet two years old. Their income is just about enough to sustain the family’s day to day needs. Chang helps his mother to do household chores, such as dishwashing, cooking rice, looking after the younger siblings and carrying water for use at home. The dream of one poor child is to complete his education so that he can find a good job and take care of his family. However, Chang still has many obstacles to overcome caused by poverty.
I cannot sponsor a child right now, but here is a special gift of
Money order payable to World Vision Foundation of Thailand Phrakanong Post Office Money transfer sent to World Vision Foundation of Thailand’s savings bank account Bank
¡ Bangkok ¡ Krung Thai ¡ Kasikorn Thai ¡ Siam Commercial ¡ Krung Sri Ayudhya ¡ UOB ¡ Thai Military
Branch
Account Number
Thonglor Ekamai Ekamai Ekamai Sukhumvit 63 Thonglor Ekamai
206-0-43600-9 053-1-10632-2 059-2-40974-7 078-2-00965-5 361-1-02033-3 801-1-07026-4 152-2-00300-1
Money transfer from ......................................................................... Branch Date of money transfer...................................................................................
After the Money transfer, please send a copy of your money transfer together with this reply form to WVFT via postal mail to the address below or via fax at 0-2711-4100 to 2.We will send you a receipt to confirm your payment afterwards.
Thank you. WVFT cannot send you a receipt if we do not have a copy of your money transfer and reply form.
WVFT is the 59th humanitarian organisation under the declaration of the Ministry of Finance.Your donation is tax deductible yearly according to the law.
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COLOURFUL PLASTIC BASKETS BRING HOPE TO SISTERS By Keurkoon Phoomwittaya
Through the challenges of poverty, Ampawan, 13, her younger sister Panalai, 12 and their mother, 45, have kept their motivation high through the handicraft of weaving plastic baskets. The family is a member of the Phu Tai tribe, a large settlement in Amnat Charoen province. In front of their home, Ampawan, and Panalai, hang woven gold, blue, pink, green and white baskets, in large and small sizes, to present their diligent work. Plenty of their baskets have been sold to neighbours. Demand is so high; customers often have to reserve products. “I enjoy weaving baskets, I am able to spend my free time productively,” says Ampawan. ‘Walking alone’ Ampawan and Pannalai’s father passed away when they were young. Their mother, Wantee, had a hard time providing for the girls and had to leave to work in a shrimp factory in Bangkok. While their aunt was taking care of them, Wantee sent 2,000 baht to her children monthly which only covered their basic costs.
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World Vision Magazine
“When I came home my daughters and I cried. I missed them so much,” Wantee remembers sadly. She decided to stay and gave up her job in Bangkok, although she did not know how she would support the family. ‘Mom is home’ After Wantee returned home in 2006, WVFT began to help to the family through the economic development project, Wantee learned to make plastic baskets. Basket weaving brought a gentle light of hope for the three family members. Having acquired skills in weaving the baskets, Wantee passed this knowledge to her daughters. “My daughters have similar characters. They learn fast,” Wantee explains proudly. Although it is twilight, the girls enjoy weaving colourful plastic baskets with their mother. By helping the mother weave baskets, the girls have extra money to buy snacks when they go to school, which brightens their days. Ampawan and Pannalai are delighted that their mother is able to stay at home.
World Vision Magazine
‘Sharing knowledge through tradition’ The rhythmic tinkling sound of Thai musical instruments played together with bass fills the air at the Khai Pra Tu Lao ceremony where the Phu Tai tribe community presents its culture. Every family convenes to present and sell products from their villages. Wantee demonstrates how to weave baskets to participants. At the previous gathering in February 2013, Wantee sold more than 10 baskets, ranging from 20 to 80 baht, depending on their sizes. Products sell for twice as much as the cost of production in order to cover the time and hard work the family has put in. The family’s income from selling baskets is enough to cover their expenses now. Wantee is extremely happy that she can be with her daughters. This livelihood development is successful because the family members work together and inspire one another. “I am proud that I can weave baskets. I did not know how to do it in the past, but now I can pass this knowledge to other people,” Wantee says. The ability to share their knowledge to others is a platform that can transform the community as a whole.
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Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness. Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.
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