The LBF and a local orphanage...

[Stogie]

In my time in Mexico I got close to an orphanage which we did some great (and easy) work for.

This year I am hoping to do something similar for a local orphanage near Bangkok.

I have been invited out early next week to visit one and I'll be assessing their needs by talking to the people who work there and having a good nose about...

This is something that I have quite a bit of knowledge of so we won't be blundering into something with our eyes closed. I'm aware if the political entanglements something like this can encompass.

One thing for sure - we will NOT be handing out chunks of money! We can all too easily imagine how that would be mishandled... but we WILL be putting out the begging bowl to forum members and local businesses who benefit from us who wish to donate cash to a fund.

Having said that - we wont be running any guilt trips to people who don't care about it. This is first and foremost a porno site.

This project has already had a large donation promised by a prominent board member and I think we have the power to do a fantastic amount of good.

Orphanages aren't for every one... they stink of piss and the state of some of them are pretty awful. But if you have ever been to one they you'll know just how rewarding it can be.

The kids are very affectionate and for the most part the staff are dedicated and enthusiastic workers.

The idea at the moment is to help provide things like clothing and bedding and toys... to have parties and organize days out which they normally would not have.

I want to keep this project simple and transparent. There will be NO question of any improprieties and anyone who wants to, can check with us about the finances and intentions of this cause.

For now this thread is being opened up in the VIP area. In the future once we are a little more established we will open it up to the general readership...

I'll report back in about a week on what I have learned about local needs...

If anyone has any salient thoughts on this subject or wants to get involved then post here, PM me or email me at [email protected]

Stogie

[katoeylover]

Will definitely get involved at this end.

[seanbeag7]

I have worked with needy children and teenagers in the past, so i would be interested to learn more about the place and what you have in mind to help these children.

[kevin4252]

Capital idea, and a very generous one, count me in please, let me know if my 2nd favorite pastime could benefit the kids

[pacman]

You're a good man Stogie, this will register with any BM with a social conscience.

The fact that you will oversee the money & ensure it doesn't disappear in some corrupt officials pocket is the difference between wishful thinking & a great idea.

Please give us the numbers of kids we are talking about here, the age range, how many boys, how many girls, how many with special needs & let's get some discussion going on just what can do for them.

Another thought - consider opening a specific bank account for the transfer of money, Western Union fees run at approx. 10% (hmmm, how would I know that?     ) & that seems a waste to me.

Plus the advantage of depositing a cheque into the account will show up on a tax return as "charitable donation", a 100% tax deduction, at least here in Oz it is.

Lastly we should look at shamelessly exploiting our Thai contacts for special rates on things that need to be paid for. I don't know anyone who runs a charter bus company or owns a movie house or similar, but I will ask those in Thailand I know to see who they know.

It doesn't sound much now but this thing can grow wings if we are prepared to get behind it.

[TTChang]

Great idea, if a collection of individuals are donating.   Not, if funds are collected via 'Stiffy.Asia'     OK, I know it wouldn't happen like that, but some caution is needed.  I'm just wary of any link between a porno forum and a thai orphanage.

Count me in to donate, and help out, in a private capacity.  Or as the miserable banker  

TT (bah humbug) Chang

[rxpharm]

Great idea! While I was up in Chiang Mai during my short visit Dec. 6-13, I visited an orphanage up there.

Dropped off a bunch of toys and school supplies, plus a cash donation. I heard about the orphanage from some co-workers.

Count me in, once you have this sorted out.

[Ozzie]

Count me in. I actually grew up in an orphanage so this is something is very close to my heart.

[Stogie]

 Well, well... That's something I didn't know.

If TTChang is offering to be treasurer I'll gladly accept his offer!

I'll post some pics in a few days and get a provisional assessment posted...

We will be discrete about our handling of this venture. I'm aware of how the profile of a site like ours can backfire and cause problems for the people involved.

My main concerns are that people should be able to help out knowing that their time and money are being used 100% for what it is intended for.

I'm extremely skeptical about the massive swindle that organized 'charities' are and I want our small contributions to be above all that. It is for that reason that I am avoiding using the word 'charity' and will focus more on "Big Brother" sort of relationship with one small organization where we can see a tangible difference to the effort we put in.

Thanks for the posts...

[SamplerDoc]

Sounds interesting and promising....love to hear more on it.

[daveduke007]

(TTChang @ Jan. 02 2009,10:28) Count me in to donate, and help out, in a private capacity.  Or as the miserable banker  

TT (bah humbug) Chang

If thats so, I'm in

[mardhi]

I am thinking exactly same concerns as TT Chang on this one - nothing would get the "know-it-all NGO's" more excited than by creating a link between a porn site and a childrens orphanage. We now its not correct in what they MAY assume is behind it - but who would really want the trouble and attention. Equally who would want to be exposed to some kind of underhand attempts by the BIB to create a new angle where no angle exists.

With the increase attention and quite rightly so on those sick guys - I would be concerned first and foremost with the negative attention. The Sun or News of the World did an expose in the UK on the guy who ran a childrens orphanage in Pattaya who accepted large donations from a known sex offender and poor guy then died shortly after from the problems it created. It was NEVER proven that he knew anything or played any role in anything underhand, but the fact it was splashed all over the Sun and News Of the World was enough to make him a wreck.

Perhaps another kind of charity might be in order to avoid any possible misunderstanding. Lots of equally good causes.

Cheers
Mardhi

[Dieter]

Me in....

Dieter

[thaibound]

Mardhi has exactly stated my own concerns with such a proposal. While I wholeheartedly support Stogie's intent I would be more interested in either the name/location of a thai orphanage with totally reputable management to whom i could make direct anonymous donation and feel confident the money would go to the kids and not go to ceo bonuses
or
a foundation (charity) supportive of 'retired' ladyboys to help them (and their families) deal with the multitude of issues arising from their no longer being 22 and beautiful -- or for any other reason unable to live off the love and lust of admirers such as ourselves.

[Guest]

Whilst i appreciate the concerns as stated by others i am right with you as we discussed at the bash.

Let me know what input you need and its there for you.

Good Luck