As is the case in recent times, we had a large group of volunteers visiting Bon Luk. We took three 4x4s, two of which kindly donated by Dave of Hua Hin Car Hire, and drove to Bon Luk.
We had one doctor, two nurses and one physiotherapist on the team. Our medical teams of a nurse and a physiotherapist (volunteers from our partner Chiva Som) and our long time volunteer Dr Coco saw 43 patients; with Thuhelping with translation and Aurelia and Caitlin recording patient data.
A year ago when Supachok, aged 9, got burnt when fuel from a lawnmower burst out, the villagers were not able to take him to a hospital. He was only lucky that we visited Bon Luk within days of his severe accident and he was treated by our Dr Coco. He is continuously getting his follow up treatment and physiotherapy / stretching exercise lessons from Jungle Aid team.
Chiva Som responded to our initiative of bringing life skills to the villagers so that they can help each other, help maintain hygiene as well as impart new skills that increase their employment and earning potential.
As part of this initiative, we held our first, and very successful, hair cutting and training session at the village and trained two villagers in basic haircut and safe use of hair cutting equipment. We donated the hair cutting equipment to villagers for them to use it in the months to come; in helping their fellow villagers and maintaining better hair hygiene.
Children had a wonderful time with our laughter yoga volunteer Marie who taught them laughter therapy and some exciting games. She left them juggling scarves to play with.
Chiva Som volunteers also entertained children and taught them how to make balloon figures. Children were very happy with the haircut, games and their balloon figures.
Marie, Noah and Chelsey helped with handing out tons of donations generously donated by our regular contributors. We had a huge pile of donations and these will be very useful in the months to come. As usual, we brought rice, dry food like noodles and canned fish for 18 children at a village shelter. Laiki rice crackers continue their support in bringing healthy snacks for children at all our villages. Chiva Som kindly donated Noodles and canned fish.
Meanwhile, our area manager, together with Bebee, Keith and Garry was talking to villagers, a person taking care of 18 children living at the village shelter and the school headmaster. We also investigated and found out that there are two different water projects at the village. One of which is new and while the construction has been completed, it is yet to start functioning. Once completed, it will provide water through pipes and taps throughout the village. It is a district administration funded project. Nic documented the day with wonderful photos and videos.
We walked around the village and were pleased to see that the village continues to maintain overall cleanliness and trash baskets are being used. Maintenance work being done on houses in preparation for upcoming rainy season is also proceeding well. Once again, we left toys to be shared by children attending the pre – school / nursery being run by border patrol.
After a successful clinic and assessment, besides our usual distribution of clothes and shoes etc, we also distributed personal hygiene items like combs, soaps, tooth-brushes and toothpaste to children as well as grown-ups. We were able to distribute toothbrushes to young children aged 6 – 9 years of age. These were kindly donated by Omroom.
After a long day in the village, all volunteers were loaded back in to the trucks for the dusty journey home. After an amazing day with incredible volunteers and incredible people we work with we headed home.
Thank you for supporting the work we do…….
