Art Relief International - The Stratton ABC Foundation Childrens Home Chiang Mai

February 2012
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Canadian Children Make a Great Impression

May 012011

On Thursday this week we were treated to a visit by 11 great kids from Canada who came with Art International Volunteers to help out with painting the Mural around the children’s playground.

Arriving at around 10.15 pm the group soon set up some fun ice-breaking games in the front yard.

Our children’s initial shyness soon vanished as everyone joined in the fun.

The children the split into 2 groups with one group starting work on the Mural and the other taking part in a craft workshop, making paper wallets.

After lunch the groups swapped activities.

The Mural work was all finished by the end of the day thanks to great effort by all the children and Volunteers together.

We would like to say thank you, once again, to Art Relief International and to all the visiting Canadian Children, who generously donated toys, books and colouring pencils, as well as buying ice cream for all our children.

A great day, with a beautiful result. See the photos below the videos.

Getting Ready For The Next Stage.

Foundation Blog, Lead 1 Response »

Mar 262011

Firstly I would like to apologise to any of the Art Relief International Volunteers who may have been upset by yesterdays post suggesting that the playground was not quite finished. We are all very grateful for all the very hard work put in by everyone and the children have already had lots of fun using the playground over the last couple of days. We would also like to thank all those that contributed to the Art Relief Appeals for funds to make it happen. Your donations have made the children here very happy.

Thanks to a rapid response to our appeal for funds to complete the fence this should be completed today and we look forward to seeing you all sometime in the week for the official “Opening Party”.

Yesterday all of the children got busy with paint brushes to brighten up the walls around the playground and look forward to working with Art Relief on more Mural work in the near future to make the play area even nicer.

Thanks again all…great job:)

Playground All But Finished

Foundation Blog 2 Responses »

Mar 242011

The Volunteers from Art Relief International have been working hard this week to bring the work on the Children’s Playground to a finish, and at last today saw the job done.

This morning the children did their bit before the volunteers arrived all pitching in to scrub the walls down ready for painting in the near future.

They have also been lending the occasional hand with the volunteers, especially Jack, who spent a long period helping to shovel sand. A thick bed of sand is being spread throughout the play area to provide safety.

Big thanks to all once again.

One last thing we need is to fence this area in to prevent the resident dogs from using it as a toilet. Unfortunately the playground budget ran out and we would like to make an appeal now for help to cover the costs of this part of the project.

A rough estimate at the costs is around 5000 baht.

If you can help please donate using the button on the upper left hand side of the page or by direct bank transfer using the details on our ‘Donate’ page. Alternatively why not pop in and donate in person if you are in the area.

For all the photos from today please visit our photobucket album here.

Break In The Rain Brings Art Relief Back

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Mar 192011

A break in this weeks horrendous rainfall brought the Art Relief International Volunteers back to do a little more on the playground. If the rain holds off on Monday there should be major changes with grass going on the hill and installation of a slide.
Fingers crossed guys…and thanks as always.

Children Teaching Children ..Stratton House Family Working Well

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Mar 112011

Interesting day today. I had lots of work to catch up on and the seven children who were at home were all excellently behaved finding things to keep themselves occupied and keeping me in coffee. Thanks kids, much appreciated.

In the afternoon it was dance class with Pee Baht, Anneka and Gilian(hope the kids got the names right:)

Before the class there was a brief gift giving to Art Relief International Volunteer Gilian who was celebrating his birthday. Some of the children gave hand knitted wool scarves and other small gifts that they chose themselves.

I missed most of the class but the kids all seemed to have enjoyed it.

This evening they have all been trying their hand at tapestry sewing with the older girls teaching the ones who didn’t know how.

Great “family’ evening with a great Family.

Muddy Waters

Foundation Blog, Lead 1 Response »

Mar 102011

So school is out, just about and all but one of the kids were home all day. This meant extra hands for the playground crew from Art Relief International and today saw some major progress.

The children especially enjoyed with further work on the hill over the tunnel as it meant getting really messy with the mud being used.

The Monkey bars are now done all bar sanding and staining.

The hanging Bamboo is complete.

And the climbing frame is taking good shape.

We’re not expecting the crew back until next week now so the hardest job is to stop the children using the playground before it is all complete and checked for safety. Thankfully the children here are usually very good doing as they are instructed so hopefully it won’t be a big problem.

We understand that some of the crew who have been working here will have moved on by next week and we would all like to say a big thanks to you all for all your hard work and please feel free to drop in if you ever return and see the kids enjoying your efforts.

After a hard mornings work and with a shortage of water from our normal supply there was a short break in the afternoon when the children went for a swim in the river nearby, supervised by myself, House Mother Muay and some of the Art Relief International volunteers. Great fun and a great way to cool off.

To see all the photos from today please visit our photobucket album here.

Latest Playground Work

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Mar 092011

Another hard day for the Art Relief International Volunteers with no let up in the high temperatures.
The Monkey bar frame is up;the “Castle” mortared and the tunnel hill has grown some more.
It’ll be interesting tomorrow with school now closed for the “summer holiday” and all the kids at home.

Hot Work

Foundation Blog No Responses »

Mar 062011

Fair play to all the Art Relief International Volunteers for fighting through this blistering heat and pushing things forward with the playground.

Posts are now in for the planned “monkey bars” and much bamboo treated for the hanging poles.

Looking forward to seeing all the guys back on Monday.

Another Days Hard Slog on The Playground

Foundation Blog 1 Response »

Mar 032011

The guys and girls from Art Relief International were back again today for another days hard slog in the sweltering heat.

Bpaa Muay, cooked up some refreshing Rosella tea to help combat the dehydration.

First results always take a while but things are definitely taking shape with the castle walls almost done and a very “telly tubby” looking hill with tunnel. I keep expecting to see Tinky Winky popping out of the tunnel at any moment.

Excellent work everyone, you can be sure your efforts will be very much appreciated by all the children here.

The Playground Plan

Foundation Blog, Lead No Responses »

Mar 032011

Our good friend Ally is at the moment preparing to do a promotional video for the Foundation. The hope is to highlight our work, motivation and hopes in a short film that may lead to increasing much needed sponsorship.

The current playground project being undertaken by our friends at Art Relief International offered a great chance to try out her skills.

Here you can see the work in progress and a little explaination of the plans for the finished project, oh and me in the background fretting about foundations to ensure durability, a problem that was soon solved.