February fashion show

Hi all,
Hope all's well with everyone. The last few weeks have flown by, yet so much happens in each day.

We've been doing lots of trips with the kids for swimming, ice-cream and dinner. Some of them enjoying the swimming more than others! Last week we took 2 girls to the pool -  one put the costume on (which is one Wendy sent out -thank you!) we got to the edge of the pool but then she decided against it and wanted to change into a different new costume - she wanted to try them all out! But we didn't get any closer to the water. In the mean time our other little girl wouldn't get changed at all and was sat down eating all the snacks. After quite a while persuading them to try the pool, we ended up taking them back to our house for dinner - with Bew still in her costume as she didn't want to change! A big thank you for all those who've donated money for these trips, it's really good to get the girls out of the orphanage for a couple of hours.

Trips wise, we're taking a group of children to Bangkok zoo on saturday which should be fun and we're hoping to do a trip to a local soft play place with some of the girls in a few weeks too. Tonight we took out 3 helper girls for ice-cream and dinner. The helpers are ladys who have lived at the girl's home since being a children and now help the ward mum's on the ward. So it was lovely for us to take them out today as they have to work so hard.


Today at the girl's home we had a fashion show (morning and again in the afternoon). So we got all the clothes out and let the girls pick an outfit (or about 6 for some of them!). Put make-up on and got them strutting down our make-shift catwalk. Taking loads of pictures. It was so much fun! The girls loved it!


Since the last post we've had 2 more volunteers arrive, so there's now 8 of us in the house. We were all invited round to nichada - "little america" for dinner last friday and on sunday me and Ben went for a run round the lake there followed by breakfast on the balcony. Lovely!

So that's the lastest. The weather getting quite sweaty now, it's a bit of a joke how much we're all sweating now! You can probably tell from the pictures!

Thank you to everyone for all your support, be it by donations, sending stuff or just a lovely email. I really appreciate it and helps me to remember i'm not out here on my own.

January sweat

Time has flown by again this week! Last sunday we took 4 girls from the cerebral palsy (CP) ward to church and then lunch afterwards. It was really nice to take the girls out, though we were all tired afterwards, as trips like this take quite a lot of organising. Especially for 4 girls in wheelchairs, transport isn't as straight forward, so we were really grateful as 2 families from church offered us their drivers. The girls really enjoyed their day out.

This week's "physio" highlight came with a little girl with CP. My mum's friend sent me some pedro boots and with them on too, her walking was so much better. She lives at the girls home and was brought there last year, as her family were struggling to look after her. So our hope is that if we can get her walking better, she may be able one step closer to going home.

Last monday we took 4 girls from the girl's home swimming to a local pool (know amongst some of us as "slim-pool"). We don't think any of them had been swimming before, confirmed as when we got to the pool 2 girls stripped - twice!! Then once we got them in the children's pool one of them made a run for it to the big pool, jumping straight in - followed at high speed by Julia! We're taking more girls this week so we'll see how that goes! Thursday we took another 4 girls from the CP ward for lunch at the blind school and then Friday i took a little girl from the same ward for ice-cream after work.

A new volunteer Ben joined us last week, so there's 6 of us now, with we think another girl on her way this week. We were treated to 2 meals out last week: 1 in Bangkok with Gill who works for CCD in Australia and the second one locally, as we'd been sent money from some previous volunteers. For this we went to a lovely riverside restaurant.

So all's good here. I'm half-way through my time with CCD now and I still feel like i'm settling in! Very much enjoying it here, it's such a delight spending time with the beautiful children. I really feel like i'm making a difference to their lives.

Thank you for the huge response i have with the swimming costumes and dressings, we really appreciate it. It's really exciting waiting to see what arrives! And also a big thank you to those of you who have donated money for the trips, we're actually now planning a trip to Bangkok zoo in a couple of weeks. As always, let me know at gemanne83@hotmail.com if you think you might be able to donate or have anything to send out. Hot chocolate always goes down well!!

Lots of love to you all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Exhaustion like never before!

Where to start? Another week or 2 has flown by since I last updated.
Firstly, an update on our charity home - I've been spending more time with one of the community girls who in my previous blog was starting to lift her head up more. This week she fed herself fruit independently, which i felt was great progress. In our "physio sessions" she's starting to use her arms more and her sitting balance is improving. I've also met with an English physio who visits here once a week. This was a great chance to have a chat about some of the kids. We're hoping to start some hydrotherapy sessions soon, when the weather gets warmer. It's too cold for thais at the moment!

I've changed my week structure a bit now to spend more time at the girl's home. We took out 3 girls for lunch last week, which was nice for them to get a bit of sunshine and a break from the ward. We'll be taking 3 different ones tomorrow and then each thursday. We've also planned trips to the swimming pool and for ice-cream. We're taking different girls each week for the next few weeks, starting next week as we have to give the government 2 weeks notice for permission. For those of you interested in getting involved, this is where money is appreciated. To take the girls out of the wards is such a wonderful thing to do.

Now as some of you know there has been a bit of a headlice incident, as in I had quite an extensive infestation. However, for now it seems under control. I only found 1 earlier which is quite acceptable compared to last week! It's not surprising as we do regular nit combing on the wards, but the alternative is the beautiful girl's heads are shaved. So for me it's totally worth, as my hair's not at risk of being shaved.

One evening after work we went to a local very western shopping centre complete with M&S! Excitement was high as we entered the food section, only to see the prices triple what they are at home. In baht that's definitely beyond what volunteers can afford. However it was good to get some air con and we even saw some other westerners which was a novelty! On saturday we went to our favourite restaurant Cabbages and Condoms, with 2 short-term volunteers who have finished now. On monday it was my birthday (the second one i've spent in Thailand funnily enough!). I had really lovely day. Our kitchen was decorated with birthday banners and some of the girls got up early to sing as i came down the stairs and then again when everyone else was up too! I was at the girl's home so got some cake for them and we did hand painting. In the evening we went to a local restaurant by the river with most of the volunteers followed by birthday dairy queen! Then when we got home our new neighbour (who works in a bakery) came round with cake they had left over! After work yesterday we went for thai massage at the local blind school, less than 3 pounds for an hour and a half of massage/pain. Next time i'll be sure to clarify soft massage!

Just wanted to thank all of you who sent me stuff (for the kids and me!) and donated money. It is so so truely appreciated and helps remind us we're not on our own out here. If anyone has anything you think might be useful let me know as it probably will be! Email me at gemanne83@hotmail.com for our address as i can't put it on here. In particular if anyone has any spare swimming costumes (girls are needed more than boys but boys still useful) that would be great. It's difficult to find good quality swim wear here. Finally, calling all medical people!! Any "spare" dressings, particularly pressure sore ones would be amazing! Pressure sores are a real problem on the wards and again supplies here at scarce. Thank you!!

So I'll leave it there for this update, hope all is well with everyone!

Lots of love Gemma xxx

New year, Thailand

Happy 2012 to everyone!

Not sure where to start this week, but in a nutshell it's been one of the hardest, most challenging, upsetting, frustrating weeks of my life. I've been to the 3 projects this week that i'm involved in. The set up here is that there are lots of homes which we go in to and take some children out to our on-site daycentre the 2 we're allowed into are the girls home (girls older than 7) and the younger mixed home. All the children at these homes have a disability of some sort - from very mild to severe. The other project is RH which is the charity's purpose built house where some children live and go to local schools. Then here during the day we take some government children and also some community children, again all with mild to severe disabilities. I'm enjoying a steep learning curve in physio, being the only western physio i'm taking on a lot of children to work with, but really loving the challenge!

The week started (on boxing day) with a day at the girl's home. For me this was the toughest although on reflection (good CPD!) i feel i'm exactly where i need to be and i am being of some help. If anyone wants any info please email me or send me a message on facebook.

The second half of the week was spent at RH where i can almost behave like an english physio as there are less children and we have them for a bit longer. So the success we had on friday was discovering the potential of a little girl who managed to push herself up on her front and almost crawled!! Then after all the hard work she ate all her lunch and more! Normally at lunch time she sits with her head flopped forwards and when i first met her didn't think she had any head control, but after our little workout friday morning she held her head all all through lunch!! Definitely a highlight of my week!

For new year's eve myself and a couple of the other volunteers went into Bangkok for dinner at Cabbages and Condoms, which is quite a famous restaurant that supports family planning - the wish being that contraception can be as easily available as vegetables (i.e. cabbages!). We had a lovely dinner and left with a cookbook we won in the raffle (and a condom each!). Before this we called into the new Terminal 21 shopping mall, purely because we'd heard they had japanese toilets with heated seats, bottom shower and dryer - we weren't disappointed! Then we went on to Central World for the big countdown, which was quite spectacular. Lots of fireworks (which actually started 2 mins before - it was almost like they were so excited they just couldn't wait!).

This morning we've been to little america to the outdoor olympic size pool. It's got a bit hotter here the last few days so it was really refreshing. Tomorrow we're taking 3 of the kids from RH out for ice-cream and a dvd, so looking forward to that.

Finally i'd just like to thank everyone for all the kind messages, emails and skype calls of support i've had. I'm sorry i'm not always able to reply to them individually but i really appreciate them. It makes this all a bit easier. I also know that a lot of you have asked how you can help. In terms of sending stuff out its difficult for the government kids as they can't have possessions. But we are allowed to take them out on weekends - swimming, for ice-cream, cinema etc. So this is really when we can treat them. So if anyone wanted to support that please let me know (email: gemanne83@hotmail.com or facebook) and/or you wanted to know a bit more about what its been like.

Anyway, hope all is well with everyone and happy 2012!!
lots of love xxx

Christmas eve in Bangkok

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!!
Hope you're all well and finished work for Christmas now.

This week has been full of various Christmas celebrations, despite most Thai people being buddist, i'm working with a Christian organisation, hence Christmas is celebrated!

On monday 2 other English volunteers arrived and we've spent the week attending Christmas parties. One at the babies home, then the same day we were invited to a canadian lady's house for carols and cookies. On wednesday night we took about 30 children to see Happy feet 2, in Thai so wasn't quite sure what was going on but the kids loved it!!

Yesterday it was staff sports day in the morning, this involved a parade down the street to declare sports day open. i was asked to lead the green team so was dressed up in traditional thai style clothes to march down the street. Then it was sports day, nothing like any sports day i've experienced before! One of the competitions was volley ball with water balloons and another one involved hiding behind a blanket and jumping up to shout the name of whoever else was hiding the other side! whoever shouted first won!

then last night it was the staff christmas party, basically a variety show, with lots of different acts including 3 lady boys!! there were presentations and presents. I can't begin to describe what an amazing place this is for the children and everyone involved. Seeing all the staff last night, over 60 people work within the projects. What really touched me was that even i was presented with a gift and card, and thanked for being here, especially over Christmas, all very humbling.

So today we're going to pop into Bangkok and then there's a Christmas eve service at the local "little america" community. Tomorrow myself and the other 2 new volunteers have been invited to an american lady's house for christmas day. we havent met her yet, but have been told she takes in all the stray volunteers!! We've been told to arrive for 11am tomorrow!

So wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Thailand

hello all!
i arrived back in Bangkok this morning after a night on the overnight train, with a bed i may add. This was after a late dash to the train station on thursday night after i'd accidently booked a seat, not a bed!! Thankfully i was able to change it so i slept reasonably well.

Arrived and met up with some of the English staff who took me to the volunteer house. It sleeps 12, but there's only 3 of us here so i have a room to myself for a while. There are 2 more english volunteers arriving monday. This afternoon i hoped on my thai style bike (this is a bike that functions completely fine, although sounds and feels like it may fall apart at any moment!) to the local market. Sadly yellow mangos are not in season down here, so its green ones all the way. The worst experience of the day however, was trying some durian fruit. This is the thai fruit that smells so strong its not allowed in taxi or the underground and in many hotels. However i had been told that it tasted like custard. Well, if this is what custard tastes like, i'm not keen!!! So that was quickly disposed of in the outside bin, away from the house.

So currently not sure what my role will be here, there are a few projects running so hope to get involved in as much as possible. This is amongst all the Christmas parties and random staff sports day this week.

We have a Christmas tree up in our house and decorations so starting to feel a bit Christmassy, I even heard some festive music earlier. And a shop assistant in tesco had a santa hat on! Can't believe its only a week until Christmas, i've totally lost track of dates!

Now we're watching The Holiday!

lots of love to everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

December in Chiang Mai

Hello!!

I've spent the last few weeks just being here in Chiang Mai. The lifestyle here is great!
I've been out with the CM hiking club quite a few weeks now, walking up to waterfalls, viewpoints or round lakes. Its really nice as you get to see a bit more than i would doing tourist trails. I also visited the some of the hot springs last week, very sulphury though!

Last week i met up with Nhoi who was the tour guide when i came to thailand last time. It was really great to see him.

I've been volunteering usually 3 mornings a week at the orphanage. Its still great fun, especially washing time with room 2. They recognise me now so from when i arrive until i leave i have my hands full! If i sit down there's usually a minimum of 4 wanting to sit on my knee, legs, shoulders...! Then i go to room 1 with the younger ones.

On friday 4 new babies arrived, they're currently in a separate room from the rest, i think for infection control. I got to meet 3 of them yesterday. One is only 4 months old and with this beautiful baby girl sat on my knee beaming away, it was by far the most emotional its been just feeling so overwhelmed by sadness for this poor innocent baby girl. I can't even comprehend how this gorgeous being has been abandoned.

On saturday i went with another english volunteer to an orphanage in a local village. The children here have been brought down from the hilltribes, some are orphans but a lot have been abandoned. The children here are all school age and some speak really good english. they were a joy to meet, full of high energy and laughter. We went and bought them ice-creams from the local shop - I think the owner thought she'd won the lottery as we cleared the entire cornetto collection! the children were so grateful as well.

Next week i will leaving CM and heading back to Bangkok to Pakkred where the main orphanages are. My train is booked, normally it takes about 14 hours but i've heard reports of 20 hours, so i'm preparing for a long journey! for 12 pounds including my bed for the night i'm not complaining!

I imagine its very christmassy at home!! I really can't imagine it, they are a few christmas trees but they all look a bit malnorished! It is "cold season" here and the weather reports always show a picture of someone wearing a scarf for this area - this has not been my experience!! although i am now using my thin bed spread at night, when it does get a little cooler - however i am only sleeping in vest and shorts with the window open!

So now its later afternoon, i'm going to a friend's for dinner later but first time for a coconut!

There are now some pictures on my facebook too.

Sending you all lots of sunshine from Chiang Mai xxxxxxxxxxxxxx