… and perhaps you might have a bit more.
Andrea Russel, a lovely woman from Vancouver who has founded “Laughing for Life”, a grassroots project that helps children in Asia through the circus (and is interviewed in the upcoming issue of Big Top with much more detail) recently received an email from one of the schools Laughing for Life visited, performed at, and created hope for, and they are in dire need of help – right now. Please read her email to me:
I am forwarding this email from Child Life Orphanage , Mae Sai.
They are an orphanage that works with street kids in Mai Sai, Thailand, one of the places Laughing for Life Circus went to do workshops and shows for the kids. Some you will remember them I am sure! It is an amazing place, doing amazing work with the kids. They are a fabulous crew, and so appreciative. I remember Bao had his adoring miniature B- boy posse following, and Diaw had a horde of young girls watching her prepare for the show– we all had at least a few that reached right to our hearts. I know I for one was in tears when we had to leave. So adorable and loving, so quick to learn and glad to share.
They need some help right now.
I dont think any of us has any money to send( or do you?) , but maybe you can think of some way to help? Even just by spreading the word? I hate to think of them hungry.
i remember the day we were there, I was wandering around without my shoes for some stupid reason. One of the little girls was shocked and horrified by this, and insisted on giving me hers to wear… People who have nothing, yet giving all they have.
If any one has any good ideas how to help, go for it, and let me know if i can be involved in any way. I can burn a dvd of who they are and what they do if anyone needs it .
Thanks,
with love
a
Childlife Maesai
Reply
Dear Sir/Madam and friends of Childlife
Situation of Finance Now.
-:Because ofrelying on donated money from generious people, we are facing hard time for money expenses in the shelter when there is not enough donation. Last month, we did not get enough donated money for food so we didn’t have budget for food for 1 week. We had to find the shell in canal , wild vegetable in farm around the shelter, vegetable in our farm that is not enough, and fish in canal for food to pass hard time. We passed such hard time.
Our staff don’t get paid for 2 month <May and June>. It is hard time for us and the kids in the shelter.
And now we have money for food just 1 week and after a week we are not sure we will face that situation or not.
So we would like to let our friends and one knowing us know the situation and ask for help if possible.
Transfer information
Bank Transfer Donations:
Account name: MaeSai Childlife
Account number: 176-2-31580-3
Bank: Kasikornbank, Mae Sai Branch
SWIFT number: KASITHBK
Or donate through Paypal system see
www.childlife-maesai.org/donat…e.html
In addition to helping us financially, Childlife is always grateful if you are able to donate any resources.
In particular we are in desperate need of:
Food (rice, other non perishable foods, drinking water)
Medical and first aid supplies
Personal hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap,
Wet weather protection
Clothing (for children aged from 4-18 yrs)
Sports equipment, art supplies etc
For more information on how to help please visit: www.childlife-maesai.org or make a donation directly to ChildLife
Postal Address: Post Box 35 Mae sai District Chiangrai Province 57130
Tel / Fax: 053-732 947, 08-19504723, 08-91912947 (0066)
E-mail: childlifemaesai@gmail.com
Web Site: www.childlife-maesai.org
Regards,
Songkran
Childlife Staff
Childlife Maesai Chiang Rai Thailand
www.childlife-maesai.org
childlifemaesai@gmail.com
In 2003, Childlife moved the Shelter to a new location, outside the Mae sai township, where they began agricultural projects, Today there are 137 children living permanently in the Shelter, with 15 full-time staff and volunteers working for Childlife.
The Situation
Most of the children in Childlife’s project are from minority ethnic groups (approx 90% Akha) who live in both Thailand and Burma. Nearly all of them lived in the Burmese territory before leaving their villages due to the economic situation, human rights abuse, forced labour, violence and various other side effects of the war.
The war between Myanmar’s army and the Shan South East (SSE) political party causes unspeakable suffering, especially for children. Many of them have lost both parents and have no protection or support. Some are misused by the army for trap searches or other extremely dangerous work. Some earn money as drug couriers, as beggars, or in the sex trade.
The area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos meet is well known as the “Golden Triangle”, acknowledging the large opium production in this area. The Thai government has recently gained control of the border area, and has eradicated all of the poppy farms on the Thai side. On the Burmese and Laotian sides, however, opium production is still a thriving industry. Many drug-addicted parents are no longer able to take care of their children. Kids leave their homes to try their luck in Thailand, the richer neighbouring country. As a result, they are often lured into child labor, sex work, and theft. They frequently become involved with drug trafficking, and often abuse drugs or other poisonous substances such as glue.
The Children
Childlife currently provide food, shelter, education and support to a total of 96
Within the project, the children can be categorised into several groups;
Street Children: The children in this group live and sleep on Mae sai’s streets, mostly near the Border Bridge. They stay around from 7am to 11pm to beg tourists at the border. Some children collect and sell recyclable materials too.
The Dumpster Group: These children live at the dumpster and collect plastic and other recyclable materials to sell at low prices. Some also sell DVD copies. Some of these children work only the weekends, others every day. Some of them sleep at the dumpster.
Victims of Child Labor: The children belonging to this group are forced to perform hard physical work on plantations and farms in Mae sai or the Chiang Rai province. They suffer from very harsh living conditions and are exploited by Thai entrepreneurs.
Children in Difficult Family Situations: This group includes children who face violence and sex abuse in their families.
In most cases, the parents are drug addicted.
Orphans: Children without parents or support from other family members. Some lose their parents to HIV or AIDS.
The street provides a dangerous environment run by gangs and criminal organizations that profit from the very lucrative and widespread trade of human beings.
All of these children are vulnerable and at risk of being trafficked or sold into forced labor or prostitution. All desperately need the support and love of ChildLife
Postal Address: Post Box 35 Mae sai District Chiangrai Province 57130
Tel / Fax: 053-732 947, 08-19504723, 08-91912947 (0066)
E-mail: childlifemaesai@gmail.com
Web Site: www.childlife-maesai.org
Most of you know I don’t have shit, but I have the incredibly good fortune of friends who believe in Big Top and what it can accomplish, as well as wonderful people who help me out – but these people aren’t as fortunate as I am, by any means. As a result, the upcoming show I am producing which was initially constructed solely as help to keep the magazine alive has just announced (right here and now) that it will donate as much as possible to this school, with hopes that it can be $1000, if the show sells out – which I expect it to. That is a commitment. They need it much more than me…
In talking with Andrea, another person interviewed for the magazine named Jerry Snell (that Andrea hooked me up with – and is also doing amazing things for the children in Asia – www.jerrysnell.com , interview also in the upcoming issue) it has completely transformed me – there was so incredibly much that I didn’t know, and… fuck – it is so very easy to help them, the children, who literally have nothing. Even if you don’t have anything to give, repost her blog everywhere. That is still helping – raising awareness, getting the word out there. Read Andrea’s blog. Please. Read the interviews with her and Khan, and Jerry’s interviews in the upcoming issue of Big Top. Even Fou Fou HA is jumping on board – you’ll find out about that as well…
In regards to the upcoming show, REVOLUTION, it has committed as much as possible to the need there, and other places – the purpose for it has taken a drastic new turn, and as a result I’m hoping to produce an event like this quarterly, committing a decent amount of proceeds from it to much more necessary causes besides a new computer for me. (though I still need one, this is actually all created on a computer that has been loaned to me – and if you aren’t an idiot, you just might realize what just a little knowledge and hope can do – as that is what created Big Top.)
Again, here is the information:
Situation of Finance:
-:Because of relying on donated money from generious people, we are facing hard time for money expenses in the shelter when there is not enough donation. Last month, we did not get enough donated money for food so we didn’t have budget for food for 1 week. We had to find the shell in canal , wild vegetable in farm around the shelter, vegetable in our farm that is not enough, and fish in canal for food to pass hard time. We passed such hard time.
Our staff don’t get paid for 2 month <May and June>. It is hard time for us and the kids in the shelter.
And now we have money for food just 1 week and after a week we are not sure we will face that situation or not.
So we would like to let our friends and one knowing us know the situation and ask for help if possible.
Transfer information
Bank Transfer Donations:
Account name: MaeSai Childlife
Account number: 176-2-31580-3
Bank: Kasikornbank, Mae Sai Branch
SWIFT number: KASITHBK
Or donate through Paypal system see
www.childlife-maesai.org/donat…e.html
In addition to helping us financially, Childlife is always grateful if you are able to donate any resources.
In particular we are in desperate need of:
Food (rice, other non perishable foods, drinking water)
Medical and first aid supplies
Personal hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap,
Wet weather protection
Clothing (for children aged from 4-18 yrs)
Sports equipment, art supplies etc
For more information on how to help please visit: www.childlife-maesai.org or make a donation directly to ChildLife
Postal Address: Post Box 35 Mae sai District Chiangrai Province 57130
Tel / Fax: 053-732 947, 08-19504723, 08-91912947 (0066)
E-mail: childlifemaesai@gmail.com
Web Site: www.childlife-maesai.org
Regards,
Songkran
Childlife Staff
Childlife Maesai Chiang Rai Thailand
www.childlife-maesai.org
childlifemaesai@gmail.com
Childlife – “Baan-Nana”information
Childlife, is a non-government funded organization, whose mission is to help children at risk through intervention, accommodation, and education, and to prevent child labor, human trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation of children by increasing public awareness.
Childlife, “Baan-Nana” in Thai, was founded in 1999 and is located in the far north of Thailand in Mae sai, at the border to Myanmar (Burma). Childlife cares for all children in need, regardless of ethnicity, nationality or religion.
History
Childlife was established in 1999 by Mr. Guljohn Jeamrum (Kru Ngaow) when he began gathering data and organizing activities with child beggars in Chiang Rai. Subsequently, he traveled to Mae sai and discovered many similar problems there.
The Sai River, in Mae sai, markers the border between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma). The Lao border is only a few kilometers away. This makes Mae sai a focal point for many refugees from the Shan State in Myanmar, southern China and Laos. The area is well known for trafficking routes involving drugs or human beings. After a survey period of collecting data and establishing friendships with the street children, it became clear to Mr. Jeamrum that an emergency shelter was necessary to provide assistance and education for the children.
The first Childlife house, based a few kilometers away from the border in Mae sai, opened in August, 2000. Volunteers and staff began visiting the Thai/Burmese border daily, following and listening to the children’s problems (abuse, sickness etc). They offered them an opportunity to ask for help and provided them counseling. Many children started to come to the Childlife shelter site.
In February 2001, fighting between the Shan and Burmese armies caused a number of children to seek temporary shelter within our site. For a short period, Childlife provided shelter not only for the children, but also for their parents.
In 2003, Childlife moved the Shelter to a new location, outside the Mae sai township, where they began agricultural projects, Today there are 137 children living permanently in the Shelter, with 15 full-time staff and volunteers working for Childlife.
The Situation
Most of the children in Childlife’s project are from minority ethnic groups (approx 90% Akha) who live in both Thailand and Burma. Nearly all of them lived in the Burmese territory before leaving their villages due to the economic situation, human rights abuse, forced labour, vio
lence and various other side effects of the war.
The war between Myanmar’s army and the Shan South East (SSE) political party causes unspeakable suffering, especially for children. Many of them have lost both parents and have no protection or support. Some are misused by the army for trap searches or other extremely dangerous work. Some earn money as drug couriers, as beggars, or in the sex trade.
The area where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos meet is well known as the “Golden Triangle”, acknowledging the large opium production in this area. The Thai government has recently gained control of the border area, and has eradicated all of the poppy farms on the Thai side. On the Burmese and Laotian sides, however, opium production is still a thriving industry. Many drug-addicted parents are no longer able to take care of their children. Kids leave their homes to try their luck in Thailand, the richer neighbouring country. As a result, they are often lured into child labor, sex work, and theft. They frequently become involved with drug trafficking, and often abuse drugs or other poisonous substances such as glue.
The Children
Childlife currently provide food, shelter, education and support to a total of 96
Within the project, the children can be categorised into several groups;
Street Children: The children in this group live and sleep on Mae sai’s streets, mostly near the Border Bridge. They stay around from 7am to 11pm to beg tourists at the border. Some children collect and sell recyclable materials too.
The Dumpster Group: These children live at the dumpster and collect plastic and other recyclable materials to sell at low prices. Some also sell DVD copies. Some of these children work only the weekends, others every day. Some of them sleep at the dumpster.
Victims of Child Labor: The children belonging to this group are forced to perform hard physical work on plantations and farms in Mae sai or the Chiang Rai province. Theysuffer from very harsh living conditions and are exploited by Thai entrepreneurs.
Children in Difficult Family Situations: This group includes children who face violence and sex abuse in their families. In most cases, the parents are drug addicted.
Orphans: Children without parents or support from other family members. Some lose their parents to HIV or AIDS.
The street provides a dangerous environment run by gangs and criminal organizations that profit from the very lucrative and widespread trade of human beings.
All of these children are vulnerable and at risk of being trafficked or sold into forced labor or prostitution. All desperately need the support and love of ChildLife
Postal Address: Post Box 35 Mae sai District Chiangrai Province 57130
Tel / Fax: 053-732 947, 08-19504723, 08-91912947 (0066)
E-mail: childlifemaesai@gmail.com
Web Site: www.childlife-maesai.org
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Hi – me again, kSea
These are beautiful children – CHILDREN, who have nothing, and need us. Sure, the U.S. has needs as well, and so does Canada I hear – everywhere needs help, and that will most certainly be addressed if – IF this magazine survives – but this is immediate, this is now, and if you can look at the child’s face in the photo and say that you don’t have anything to give as you go buy yourself a $3 cup of coffee, then… why are you here?
Please give to them, please come to the show so Big Top can give to them…
Wait a second. Scroll up again, and look at that face. That exact face, that exact child, is who we can help. He’s not just an image for impact – he is one of the children that is desperately hungry right now. The image was taken from Andrea’s photos of when she was there.
help.
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