Xmas - The Stratton ABC Foundation Childrens Home Chiang Mai

February 2012
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Hand Made Toys Still The Best

Feb 052012

As the glitz of Xmas wears off its great to see our creative kids still get just as much, if not more, fun from their own hand made creations as any of the shop bought stuff. With lots of creative input over time the children here at Stratton House can often be found with scissors, glue and card, putting together a new Dolls House, Castle, or even moving parts toys.

Its heart warming to see a bunch of kids not yet so over run by modern technology that they can’t see the worth of the simple things made by their own hand.

Or indeed made for them with love of a sibling. Watch Zak as he plays with the “train” made by his older brother Tai, from old milk cartons and bottle tops.

Looking Back at Holiday Chill Time

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Jan 072012

So the kids are all back at school after a fun Xmas new Year short break. Here are just a few glimpses of the chill time with old and new toys.

Santa Maa :)

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Dec 272011

Having been awoken early by the receding sound of jingle bells I was checking out my email when Gu stuck his head out from his room, at around 7am, broad beaming smile on his face “Daddy, Santa maa lao”.

Turns out that sometime in the night Santa did indeed visit Stratton House and leave large “socks” by the children’s rooms, packed with books, toys fruit and snack food.

And it wasn’t too long before all the kids were up and delving through what Santa had given them all.

Small jigsaws were very popular; the girls loved getting arty with tinsel paint pictures and the boys love messing around outside with their baseball bats.

Me I just reveled in the delightful sound of fun and laughter and the ambiance of 10 constant smiles.

Before lunch the kids got to watch the Ice Age Xmas special DVD.

After a normal lunch some carried on playing outside whilst others watched another cartoon movie and at 2pm it was “Present time”.

Under the Xmas tree were many gift wrapped presents many of them numbered and the first round of giving came by way of a “draw”.

Nu was chosen as Xmas Fairy and attended the tree with the draw number pot. Starting with the youngest child, May 1 , each drew a number and was given the present with the corresponding number. May hit lucky first time round picking out not a number but a picture of a Rabbit which led to her receiving the huge cuddly rabbit donated by Li Li Tan recently.

Gifts ranged from cuddly toys, to books, from beautiful paperweight to toy cars and more.

Once the numbers draw was over each child got their main present from me and I’m happy to report that I appear to have chosen gifts that they are all happy with…difficult with any child let alone 10

And this whole process was watched over by our special guest , all the way from Worcester in the UK, via the internet…my Mum…MaMa to the kids.

Zak really loved gazing at Mums smiling face on the TV.

You can get a feel of the day here with the photos below or by watching the video highlights of the day.

We had Xmas dinner at 5pm….and a good feast it was too…roast chicken with fried pumpkin and tempura carrots, cauliflower with turnip chips too.

A very Merry Xmas.

Jor Entertains For Xmas

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Dec 262011

Mae Salaab is not such a typical Thai village , in that it addition to the villages Buddhist Temple it also boasts a Christian Church.

Tradition has been formed that a show is put on every Xmas Eve, with performances by local residents and school children.

Year we watched Yong doing her bit on stage and this year was the turn of Jor , who with her Prathom 6 classmates put on a contemporary dance performance to the jolly sounds of Jingle Bells.

Other performances included on exercise routine by elderly members of the community, hula hoop dancing by Mae Salaab schools little ones and a Nativity Play by some of the older children.

Free food including Pad Thai and other local cuisine was provided for all who attended and many gift prizes were given out in between the performances.

yet more prizes were given out by Santa who arrived around 9pm at the end of the show.

Our children benefited by many small prizes including snack food, washing powder, toiletries and, most impressive, a toaster.

It was a great show and everyone had lots of fun…loved Jors dancing…though I’m not sure she should give up her day job..555

Learning To Give

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Dec 232011

Here we are, its Xmas again. I have had some fairly strong views on Xmas over the years, not keen on its over commercial nature these days.

That said, my work with the children of Stratton House has melted my objections a little.

They have all done so well this year, with their studies, our projects, behavior, everything, they make me so proud.

Although this is a mainly Buddhist household, we will be celebrating Christmas Day as the purported Birthday of a special man and using the opportunity not only to give all the kids that special day of fun but to teach them the spirit of giving too.

Thanks to many donations recently, added to gifts already purchased, our Xmas Tree is surrounded by many gift wrapped presents. Some of these were numbered, and last night each child picked out a random number from a box and took the gift with the corresponding number. Today they took those gifts to school, to give to another child who they feel may get less than others on Xmas Day.

Thanks to all those who have helped to ensure our kids will be having a great Xmas this year.

Oh..and Mum! All the kids say please, please, please look after yourself and make sure you are fit and well to come and see them again.

Faa Gamma Xmas Appeal

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Feb 072011

Our friends in Australia have done us proud again with a Xmas appeal that raised well over 300 Australian dollars.

We would all like to say thankyou very much to all the members of the Faa Gamma Team for your continued efforts and support;

and thanks also to anyone who contributed to this appeal.

Because You Care

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Dec 092009

DSCF5126 Due to heavy colds we didn’t go swimming this weekend so on site activity was called for.

A great liking for art already established we decided to try the children at producing some seasonal greeting cards.

Using some simple designs taken from the internet we set the children to work with felt tips, latex glue and tinsel, with some great results.

This proved such a popular activity that we now hope to establish a range of greeting cards for purchase in our, soon to open, on-line shop.

Because we are only caring for 3 children at the moment and the activity is on a totally voluntary basis, the volume of original handmade selections will be limited but we also hope to soon be in a position to produce quality prints of the originals.

DSCF5122 These will be on sale at bargain prices. They may well be too late for use this year, with Christmas so near and postal services under the usual seasonal strain. But hey!…why not think ahead and have that extra special card to send next year?

In the same vein we hope to use prints of the best of the childrens general artwork to extend the range with cards for all occassions.

The general art work will also be available as A4 poster prints.

For connoisseurs amongst you, although none of the designs are Picasso or Renoir standard, in my eyes, they are none the less beautiful because each one is done with heart and soul by children who are deserving of the nurturing care that you can help us provide.

DSCF5128 With a view to producing an ongoing line of cards we would like to welcome you to a preview of the first offerings in the ‘Because You Care’ range.