The LBF and a local orphanage...

[Stogie]

Thanks thpon...

We won't be handing out cash and we will be entering into a recognized and legally reputable endeavor.

I don't think a fund in support of retired and troubled ladyboys is a good idea. In fact I can't think of a worse way to spirit away people's good will.

Children and their needs are my favourite target because they are least able to help themselves. We aren't doing this for the glory either.

If people want to single us out for attention then they'll have to dig pretty deep to find us and they'll be digging for ever to find any instances of impropriety.

I'm not going to be deterred by some scaremongering. At the same time I won't be badgering people into taking part.

Up to you!

[Guest]

While dropping off one of my recent night time squeezes back at her apartment block in South Pattaya just before Christmas, my attention was drawn to a couple of beautiful  infant girls in the 2-3 year age range, clearly sisters and the product of a Farang/Thai relationship. They were dressed in rags, no footwear and begging for money while in the company of an elderly lady with no teeth pushing a cart collecting empty plastic bottles. It was a truly heartbreaking sight and I asked my girl to speak with the old lady about the infants.
Their mother was her daughter and she died of AIDS a few months previous while both kids were also carrying the virus. I went to the 7Eleven and bought them all ice creams while handing the old lady only a few hundred which I had in my possession.
When I consider how much money I am dishing out on ladyboys, genetic girls and alcohol, of course I regret not doing much more.

I understand & respect mardhi's concerns, but count me in on this.

[pacman]

A nice reminder of what we are talking about here, thanks pentire. The orphanages of Thailand would be well represented by kids left homeless by this insidious disease.

Through no fault of their own, they are the innocent victims dealt the worst hand in life with a very uncertain future. The Govt, the NGO's, the monks do what they can but they would get by on the least amount of cash possible.

And if a benefactor dropped a million dollars into their lap next week they would still get by on the least amount possible. Because that's what happens in 3rd World places.

We would be deluding ourselves if we all thought the kids were the major consideration. The decent, well intentioned volunteers only want the best, the Thai staff recognise what a handy tool sad children are to open hearts & purse strings for donations.

But I am not as cynical as that reads & it should not be a reason not to try & do whatever we can.

I had already anticipated the over-reaction by some at the idea of a porn site helping an orphanage. I wasn't as concerned with NGOs as I would be if some under-cover journalist tried to dress this up as some sort of recruitment for an LB pedo ring or something equally distasteful.

In a perverse way, the resulting publicity may actually help with raising funds for the kids but who wants to put up with the prospect of an official investigation with Interpol being brought in to investigate the activities of these persons of interest - US!!

I suggest it should be very simple, a kitchen table committee of Stogie & TT can decide where the money needs to be spent & they are best placed to decide on banking arrangements, etc.

Now we wait on news from the orphanage & please ask them if books in English are any help?

[Stogie]

with the prospect of an official investigation with Interpol being brought in to investigate the activities of these persons of interest...

Two upsides to this...

We have nothing to hide so a clean bill of health from the cops would be a plus... and those that do have something to hide will fuck off sharpish!

Interpol are welcome!

Can't go anywhere today and so we'll be having a look see tomorrow...

[batman4ever]

great idea... count me in for an donation next time ill see you..

[TTChang]

(pacman @ Jan. 08 2009,04:56) I had already anticipated the over-reaction by some at the idea of a porn site helping an orphanage.

You mean over-reaction by BMs or the Authorities?

[pacman]

The authorities won't react at all to a legitimate effort to deliver aid to an orphanage.

The comment referred to the indignant moral police that see corruption everywhere they want to find it, the self-righteous do-gooders who make it their business in sticking their unwanted noses into everything they get a notion about.

I don't see any way this can be compromised, a few fellow travellers wishing to give back something to the country we love.

Without fanfare, no-one seeking to glorify themself, virtually anonymous donations targeting those who need it the most.

Don't mind my melodramatic rants TT, I had a nice cup of tea & a good lie down & I'm fine.

[jimslim]

(batman4ever @ Jan. 08 2009,14:53) great idea...  count me in for an donation next time ill see you..

Me too , in a couple of weeks .

Good work guys

[rossco]

Excellent project to focus on for us who live here.

I echo concerns of others - the forum can be an "interest group" BUT anything official should be outside the forum. No one wants the ghost of Gary Glitter to appear.

It is a great cause to support and investing in Thailand's future generation. Count me in.

Why not set up a separate web site to enlist support so that any fund raising is distinctly separate from this or any other similar forum.

Something good to look forward to in 2009!

[seanbeag7]

I think it should just be kept below the radar and first of all, lets find out first what do these kids really need and then lets see what are the best options in getting these things like e.g. playground or just simple things like toys, extra food and clothes and bedding.

if we can work out the main things that these children need, then in the future, we can look at other ways in improving their lives.

[Stogie]

Here are a few pic of the orphanage I went to last week...

This place was a very joyful experience compared to some of the desperate places I have seen in the past in other countries... The first 6 pics are just general surroundings.

[Stogie]

Pics 3 and 4 of the first section...

There are about 100 kids here between the ages of 2 and 18. There are also about 50 paid and volunteer staff on hand to help them through the day.

The place was generally clean but threadbare and I would be more comfortable eating here than any Bangkok street vendor...

[Stogie]

This orphanage could be a showpiece for orphanages. (It probably is!) The staff were interested in us and why we were there. They do not get farangs paying visits, although our liason lady did say that a couple had come by sometime in 2008 to do a study or something...

If we commit to helping this place we certainly won't be saving lives. But we could be making those that are here more comfortable.

[Stogie]

The next pics I post will be of some of the kids...

There is nothing here that will tug at the heart strings. The children here seem very well taken care of. All of them seem contented and happy whether they were running around in groups, watching TV or playing on their own.

The buildings have a first aid center and a library. Lots of books and lots of space to run around or hide away in. There is even a nice park to play in...

[Stogie]

Two more pics...