Its been quite a week with some very positive stuff happening here at Stratton House, mixed in with some stressess and frustration and a touch of exhaustion.
Work is continuing around the garden in our efforts to make it both beautiful and functional.
Having been a bit of an onlooker with the recent Mural work, I tried my hand at one of our wall panels and hope it does justice to the culture and thinking we try to live by.
On Saturday Somboon came along and held another card making workshop which was very popular with all the children. Unfortunately no photos of this workshop as I had a mishap with my camera on Sunday:(.
On Sunday we went along to the Open Day at Panyaden School. Maybe it was the presence of so many “families”, or the heat of the day but our kids just didnt get into the spirit of the event and after all my encouragements failed we left early and went for lunch at Samoeng. Having gotten my self a little stressed, I foolishly placed my camera on top of the truck during lunch and forgot about it. A few kilos back towards Chiang Mai it bounced down the road. No doubt broken beyond repair with such a fall, but I shall never know, as by the time we got back to the spot where it landed, a passing motorcyclist appeared to have picked it up as all we found were the batteries.
With the pressures of trying to secure sufficient funding, my 7 days a week work routine and little sleep, this day brought my head to boiling point and by the time we got a few kilos from home my nose decided to gush blood. Feeling decidedly faint when we got home I did my best to reassure the kids, and myself, that it was nothing and took it easy for the rest of the evening.
Now just a little example of what makes it all worth it. I love all our kids, and in different ways they all make me proud and feel lucky to be a part of their lives. But over the last couple of months one child in particular has stood out with the change in his character and confidence. Gu, our eldest, at 14, is very small for his age and when he came to us was very lacking in self confidence and a history of poor acheivement at school. Having done my best to quietly work on ways to boost his self esteem I have been amazed at recent changes.
His school grades have improved significantly. At home now he no longer follows others copying what they do but does for himself. If he is not studying he is practising his art. He is no longer the quiet little mouse in the corner and has grown into a very talkative young lad keen to help with anything I am doing to improve the place. It is only natural that with the sudden changes in all their lives some of the children can start to take things for granted a little too much, but Gu is one that never asks for anything and always appreciates what he gets. He has grown rapidly into a shining example for all the children here.
Recently, knowing of his wish to learn music and in particular, play the trumpet, I placed an appeal on Facebook hoping for a sponsor to enable us to help this wish come true and get him a trumpet to practise with. Big thanks for a rapid response from a man I’ve yet to meet, Adam Sandaver.
Now Gu knows nothing of this gift to come.
Back to Monday morning, when I awoke feeling nauseous and cloudy headed; Gu overheard me telling House Mother that I intended to go to the Hospital for a check up. On the way to school I had to stop briefly when the nausea overcame me.
Thankfully the result of my Hospital visit was that there were no signs of anything serious and I came away with vitamin C and advice to find time to rest.
Later after the kids got back home Wasana told me that Gu had expressed great concern over my health, so during dinner I made sure I told everyone that all was well and I just need to take it easy for a bit.
Gus response was instant, out in the garden straight after dinner doing ground clearance that I had started; and again yesterday afternoon.
And then last night, after his homework was finished he sat quietly working on something that he would not let me see until he had finished.
Look past the spelling mistakes, they don’t matter; that this boy is wishing me well and hoping that all my dreams come true at the same time that I have hopefully helped make one of his come true, without him knowing yet, brings a glow to my heart and a renewed faith in the human spirit. The fact that he even made the effort to write this card in English, without any help makes it all the more special, helps recent stresses fade, and helps me know that I’m doing a good thing here.
Thank you Gu, I don’t ask for it, I don’t expect it, but such signs of appreciation are certainly welcome and make me all the more determined to ensure that The Foundation succeeds in its wish to give these and many more children A Better Chance.
