Villa - The Stratton ABC Foundation Childrens Home Chiang Mai

Villa and Sport Project all But Completed.

Dec 062011

For the last few weeks, in a quiet little village, just outside Sarapee, Chiang Mai, a group of determined young people have been steadfastly working, not only for themselves but to earn your respect and compassion and support; to show you that they are a group that truly deserve it.

Given a near free hand with 3 objectives; new vegetable plots, new sports facility and a shaded play/relaxation area; and a budget of just 5000 baht (approx 100 pounds sterling), our four man Mattayom Student team, with occasional help from the younger children have proved themselves very capable.

We now have our new vegetable plots with new crops already well on their way.

We have a Batong (Boules) Pit.

And yesterday the team completed their “Villa”.

All but completed? Just a general tidy up is all that’s left.

The sign translates to “Place to sit and play”

As I write, I make no bones about the moisture welling up in my eyes, as I think with pride of how well these children have done.

From the outset of The Foundations beginnings it has been my intention to nurture these children in a way that they discover as many of their own latent capabilities as they can. This way they will be best equipped to take full advantage of opportunities that come their way and have a truly better chance in life.

We may be small and some people may not see the bigger picture. But here at The Stratton ABC Foundation we do our best to instill the best of values, understanding of the benefits of sharing.

Our hope is that as they reach an age, these children will strongly consider returning to their home communities to share the opportunities, knowledge, and compassion that they have been lucky enough to have received.

I sit beneath a spreading chestnut tree , whose branches of hope grow daily before my eyes.

Please, if you see the way that concentrating on a small number, facilitating the best of care and development, may then help to make much greater change for the better future of the rural communities that these children come from, then look deep into your hearts and help us continue and develop.

I have, and will continue to, put all my heart into maintaining this Foundations goal, but if those branches are to continue to grow, and not wither, these children need your support.

Villa and Sport Project Nearing Completion

Lead, Live Projects No Responses »

Dec 042011

Another great session on their Project saw nearly half the roof finished on the Villa yesterday,(Saturday). It was a full team effort wiring the “thatch” panels into place.

Tai had done more prep in the morning, tightening the roof poles and then the whole team went to it in the afternoon. With the promise of a special outing next weekend if they can complete the Villa work , we are expecting another all out push this afternoon.

Fantastic effort kids.

Mattayom Continue With The Villa

Live Projects No Responses »

Nov 282011

More work was done on the roof of the Villa this weekend. Its taking a little longer than I expected but only because Tai appears to putting a lot of thought in how to make it secure and durable.

The whole team, plus Zak, pitched in , working very well together once again. Its been great to see the team become more efficient and organised over time.

I only hope they know how proud of them I am.

I think the photos and videos say much more about this weekends work than I can.

Re-Cycle Meets The Villa With A Bright Idea

Directors Highlight of the Week 1 Response »

Nov 212011

Well the Villa didn’t get finished today afterall.

Team leader, Tai, spent much of Sunday afternoon digging a deep hole for his homework, investigating soil layers. Knowing this to be very tiring work I postponed the project work until next week.

Still Tai is Tai and once finished with his homework he did do a little more on the Villa on his own, adding some strengthening batons.

Just when I thought he’d finished, Tai then proceeded to come up with a great decorative idea after dinner, and takes “the Directors Highlight’ position for the day.

Not wanting to spoil the surprise I didn’t bother to ask why he was outside cutting old plastic milk bottles.

The answer came when he asked for candles and a lighter. The effects of his simple idea were quite beautiful.

At Tais request we called the whole crew for a photo call to celebrate this great touch to the Project.

Well done Tai , you continue to impress .

Roofing Progress On The Villa

Live Projects 1 Response »

Nov 202011

Our Mattayom students made more progress with the “Villa” section of their Villa and Sport Project, on Saturday.

The initial frame for the straw roof was constructed in a little over an hour. Once again there was lots of good co-operative team spirit.

And once again I can’t say how proud I am to see them doing this with the minimum of help from me. This week my height was called upon to assist holding the bamboo poles in place as Tai nailed them into place.

We are all looking forward to the finished product. Maybe today if they get organised enough:)

Major Moves With the Villa and Sport Project

Live Projects No Responses »

Nov 152011

Back to more positive news.

There has been major progress with the Villa and Sport Project this last weekend.

Not only is the Batong Pit marked out, leveled and with an initial layer of fine gravel but the beginnings of the Villa are evident as well.

The four Mattayom students worked hard during both weekend work hour sessions and got a huge amount done.

Under Tais firm leadership the Batong Pit is in place and set to be finished off this coming weekend.

On Sunday; with a little help from me, mixing concrete; the four main corner posts for the “Villa” were also put in place.

There was much hard work digging out the holes, measuring and lifting the heavy posts into place.

I was most impressed with the effort put in by all four workers and it was great to see lots of smiles and laughter going on throughout. So much nicer when you see the children enjoying the work they are doing.

Oh and thanks for the great coffee, Zak.

Flower Beds and Fencing For The Villa and Sport project

Lead No Responses »

Oct 192011

I am so proud of our children for all their hard work and effort with the Villa and Sport Project. The last few sessions have been spent creating flower beds around the outdoor concrete chess table.

There has been some great thought put into it and I can honestly report that the ideas are all the children’s creations.

This area is particularly May 2′s idea but once again Tai has been adding that extra touch adding wooden posts and bamboo strip fencing around the front flower beds.

I also love the curved flower beds behind the chess table which I’m sure will be beautiful once the planted flowers come through.

Keep this up kids and you could start your own Landscaping company when you get older. The leading four man team have now got into holdiing proper planning meetings in the evenings before project days; organising what work will be done and by who.

The Project budget of 5 thousand baht has been donated by Helen Williams, a good friend and Mother of one of the Autistic children I used to care for in the UK.

Larry Lizard Watches Over The Villa And Sport Project

Foundation Blog, Live Projects No Responses »

Oct 112011

As this project goes on it appears that the whole team are at last starting to pull together and for the last couple of days there has been a lot of effort by all.

Although the effort can not be faulted, the present job of laying concrete borders for the vegetable plots is painfully slow.

I reminded the project leader that they are allowed to ask for my help if they need it. I have made the suggestion that for tomorrows session they allow me to do the mixing and form a chain gang which will hopefully see the job done in one go.

It is a privilege to see this project reaching the aims I had for it. The team work is getting stronger, the planning far more oragnised and the leadership effective.

Excellent job everyone.

Villa And Sport Project…Veg Plots Looking Good

Lead, Live Projects No Responses »

Oct 072011

The Villa and Sport Project is in its 2nd full week and things are going well with the main team putting in some great effort.

Choosing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as project work days, they have been concentrating on making new vegetable plots on the ground cleared last week.

The 3rd day saw some extra effort, with a 2 hour work slot. This was an hour over what has been asked of them, so I was well impressed. It appeared to be the decision of the Project Leader, who kept his team going in an apparent effort to complete the plots they were working on.

Tai is starting to find the balance, between requesting and instructing, needed to be a good leader. Half way through the session he even popped off to the kitchen to bring refreshing cold water for his team.

When the work was done he also took the job of going to the shop for further refreshments.

The whole team deserve praise for their efforts but yet again Tai seems to be the one with that special drive, continuing to work after the rest had stopped, going back to the plots and using a concrete block to press down the earth and further define the plot borders.

Spot the Tarantula hole!

Villa And Sport Project…Weekend Work

Live Projects 1 Response »

Oct 032011

We’ve been very lucky with the rain holding off during weekend work slot hours, so once again a lot got done with a great group effort on both days. It is a sign that this project method, giving more control and responsibility to the children brings far more productivity.

With the younger children on hand to join in a whole lot more ground clearance got done.