1. The story of Khun Wachira
As all of our initial undertakings through the foundation were solely for dental care,
we became aware of a number of children and young adults that had never visited a dentist.
They were all living in one area, about 45 minutes out of the center of Bangkok. We took our
time walking through an area of housing, and setting up in a house where we interviewed a number
of children with a family member. Some of these children were in desperate need of dental care.
Some were in great distress with pain. A number of children and adults were chosen to visit an
excellent dental facility.
Among those was Khun Pornpun. She had an extensive number of extractions, fillings and other minor
corrections. However, the dental surgeon was concerned about an x-ray, which showed a foreign body,
which had been from an extraction several years ago. He operated on her gum and extracted a large
piece of root that had been negligently left there previously. All of the work was eventually done
and large gaps had been left from the extractions. It was decided to proceed with braces, which
would esthetically enhance her appearance and close all but one gap, thus saving money and producing
a better result.
She is a very polite young lady who never complained of anything. Her concerns over her health were brought to our attention, and we arranged for a consultation at a large private hospital in Bangkok. Within one day all the tests were done that were deemed necessary, and it was found that her results were positive. We arranged for immediate surgery two days later. Five large tumors were removed, the smallest being 1.5 cm in diameter. Thanks to the skill of one of the finest breast cancer surgeons in the world, there is virtually no scarring as a result of the surgery.
The foundation made it a family affair, arranging for family to come to the hospital from all over Bangkok and surrounding Provinces. In our attempt to turn this in to a positive experience, her mother stayed with her in a VIP suite complete with dining room, substantial kitchen, separate bedroom, 2 bathrooms, balcony and separate study and another lounge area in the bedroom. Better than many hotels!! (This room was at a cost of only US$130 per night.)
Fortunately all of her tumors were benign and Pornpun is grateful for the care and assistance. However, while we believe she will be fine with a healthy future, she has recently been diagnosed with similar lumps in her right breast, and will undergo surgery at a later date under our care. It has already been diagnosed that these lumps are also benign.
Khun Pornpun is now 25, and contributes in a number of ways to Bangkok society. She is incredibly popular with children and volunteers her time with orphans in Bangkok and is also about to undertake a volunteer program to assist cancer sufferers. The foundation is also sending her to English Lessons and to computer school.
We are very proud of her and of our ability to assist.....all starting with a walk through an area of Bangkok that we felt needed some assistance.
From dental work to cancer surgery
From our involvement, and her increased trust in us, she confided with one of our associates
that during 2004, this young 24 year-old had become increasingly concerned with what she thought were
lumps in her left breast. Pornpun is from a very poor family, and takes care of her very young nieces
and nephews. Her experiences with doctors and dentists in the past had not been positive. Without money
she was very scared to visit the inexpensive doctors in the public system, and had not confided in anybody
about her health concerns.She is a very polite young lady who never complained of anything. Her concerns over her health were brought to our attention, and we arranged for a consultation at a large private hospital in Bangkok. Within one day all the tests were done that were deemed necessary, and it was found that her results were positive. We arranged for immediate surgery two days later. Five large tumors were removed, the smallest being 1.5 cm in diameter. Thanks to the skill of one of the finest breast cancer surgeons in the world, there is virtually no scarring as a result of the surgery.
The foundation made it a family affair, arranging for family to come to the hospital from all over Bangkok and surrounding Provinces. In our attempt to turn this in to a positive experience, her mother stayed with her in a VIP suite complete with dining room, substantial kitchen, separate bedroom, 2 bathrooms, balcony and separate study and another lounge area in the bedroom. Better than many hotels!! (This room was at a cost of only US$130 per night.)
Fortunately all of her tumors were benign and Pornpun is grateful for the care and assistance. However, while we believe she will be fine with a healthy future, she has recently been diagnosed with similar lumps in her right breast, and will undergo surgery at a later date under our care. It has already been diagnosed that these lumps are also benign.
Khun Pornpun is now 25, and contributes in a number of ways to Bangkok society. She is incredibly popular with children and volunteers her time with orphans in Bangkok and is also about to undertake a volunteer program to assist cancer sufferers. The foundation is also sending her to English Lessons and to computer school.
We are very proud of her and of our ability to assist.....all starting with a walk through an area of Bangkok that we felt needed some assistance.
Complete project cost to December 2005: US$4,500
2. A Grandfather's Story
It was brought to our attention the plight of a very highly respected elder, in a Bangkok suburb that was battling
without a word of complaint.
This grandfather had been left with two grandchildren without the assistance of their parents. He is 74 years of age and does not work. His loving wife whom he adored passed away suddenly from cancer in 2003. He is highly respected by his neighbors and the community at large. His home, was in considerable need of repair and flooded every time there was a large rainstorm.
He battled daily to put food on the table for his grandchildren, yet was always able to make merit every morning by giving food to the monks. He was becoming increasingly concerned about the future well-being of his two young grandchildren.
With the help of other family members, our Foundation was able to secure the purchase of a house next door to other family members. The purchase was from a bank, as the house had been in possession of the bank for some considerable period of time. The foundation negotiated a 100 percent loan from the bank with the first 12 months being interest-free. The foundation is about to rebuild the house to accommodate the grandfather, his two grandchildren, and other family members. The grandfather and his family now gain considerable assistance and support from the wider family.
The Foundation has provided considerable dental care and medical assistance to his grandchildren as part of the project.
This grandfather had been left with two grandchildren without the assistance of their parents. He is 74 years of age and does not work. His loving wife whom he adored passed away suddenly from cancer in 2003. He is highly respected by his neighbors and the community at large. His home, was in considerable need of repair and flooded every time there was a large rainstorm.
He battled daily to put food on the table for his grandchildren, yet was always able to make merit every morning by giving food to the monks. He was becoming increasingly concerned about the future well-being of his two young grandchildren.
With the help of other family members, our Foundation was able to secure the purchase of a house next door to other family members. The purchase was from a bank, as the house had been in possession of the bank for some considerable period of time. The foundation negotiated a 100 percent loan from the bank with the first 12 months being interest-free. The foundation is about to rebuild the house to accommodate the grandfather, his two grandchildren, and other family members. The grandfather and his family now gain considerable assistance and support from the wider family.
The Foundation has provided considerable dental care and medical assistance to his grandchildren as part of the project.
Project cost: $US35,000 (including rebuilding and furnishing of the house).
3. Dom's Story
Dom is a 12-year-old boy with a considerable dental problem. He is the eldest of 5 children and their
parents are 2 young hardworking people. His mother has been seriously ill and in and out of hospital regularly over the last
12 months. Dom had never been to a dentist, yet had a severe deformity in his teeth on his upper jaw. In particular his
"two front teeth" were growing high above his gum line. This was so severe that his whole mouth looked deformed. He was in
need of braces and possible surgery, but either was out of the question due to the expense involved. His family were not in
a position to be able is to afford even one visit to the dentist. Other children made lots of fun about Dom's appearance,
and this further depleted his self-esteem. He never complained to his parents or any of his friends and accepted that this
is just the way things were.
We took Dom to the family dentist on Nawamin Road in Bangkok. This particular practice is run by a number of doctors and professors that lecture and operate at Kasetsart University. After some preliminary dental work, Dom had braces fitted on his upper teeth. It was advised that the lower teeth would not be fitted with braces for some six months.
In a very pleasant surprise to us, we discovered that after only five months, his upper teeth were largely aligned, and the major deformation had virtually disappeared. He was particularly happy at the rapid progress of the procedure. And so are we. Many of the children who previously made fun of him and now envious of his situation at being able afford the braces and the benefits that come with them.
Dom is writing about his experience, and this will be published in a local newspaper. He is now smiling more and more and so are his parents!!
We took Dom to the family dentist on Nawamin Road in Bangkok. This particular practice is run by a number of doctors and professors that lecture and operate at Kasetsart University. After some preliminary dental work, Dom had braces fitted on his upper teeth. It was advised that the lower teeth would not be fitted with braces for some six months.
In a very pleasant surprise to us, we discovered that after only five months, his upper teeth were largely aligned, and the major deformation had virtually disappeared. He was particularly happy at the rapid progress of the procedure. And so are we. Many of the children who previously made fun of him and now envious of his situation at being able afford the braces and the benefits that come with them.
Dom is writing about his experience, and this will be published in a local newspaper. He is now smiling more and more and so are his parents!!
Total project cost over 3 years US$900
4. Waa's Story
Waa was brought to our attention due to the fact that she had
been suffering severe toothache. The expense of dental care made a visit to the dentist out of the
question for her mother. Her mother was trying to alleviate the pain through various procedures and
medications bought inexpensively from the pharmacy. We knew that she was also in need of dental braces,
and we knew this would never happen if we did not provide them. We were pleased to be able to assist in
the preliminary dental care and the fitting of the orthodontic appliances. Yet more great smiles provided by
her and her family!!!
Total project cost over 3 years US$750
5. Jaa's Story
In Thailand wages are low and work is long hours. People are pleased to have a job,
and work hard. We see many instances where we would like to help. This project shows how what
most of us would consider a small amount of money, can make a gigantic difference to someone's
life and indeed the entire family.
Jaa is a mother of two with no support from any other family. She has no parents, or any other
family that are capable to contribute. She tries very hard to provide for her children and does very
well with her limited resources. Jaa works six days a week and goes to work on her bike. Recently her
bike was stolen when she did not lock it up at work. It is too far to walk and there is no public
transport near her residence. She has lately being paying a motorbike taxi to and from work. Over the
course of the week that is a considerable percentage of her pay. She does not have the money to buy
another bike.
This dilemma was brought to our attention, and we were impressed at her stamina and willpower to continue on. We were pleased to buy her a new bike, with lock and chain, basket and an extra seat for her little girl. Amazingly, all this cost 985 Baht (about $25). She can have any repairs done in the future at a local shop that will bill us for the expenses. We also took Jaa to the dentist for a few visits as she was in great pain from a dental problem. We have actually bought many bikes for people in Bangkok, and this is included here to show how such a small amount can make such a big difference.
This dilemma was brought to our attention, and we were impressed at her stamina and willpower to continue on. We were pleased to buy her a new bike, with lock and chain, basket and an extra seat for her little girl. Amazingly, all this cost 985 Baht (about $25). She can have any repairs done in the future at a local shop that will bill us for the expenses. We also took Jaa to the dentist for a few visits as she was in great pain from a dental problem. We have actually bought many bikes for people in Bangkok, and this is included here to show how such a small amount can make such a big difference.
Total cost $95
6. The story of .... having pets
We have taken care of many pets and also stray animals. Everything from just providing a good feed, to major surgery or even several surgeries.
As a young boy, Darrell Berg-Smith learnt many things from his dog Jema, and his cat Tibby. They had a long and very happy life with his cat Tibby living a playful and very healthy life until the great age of 22. This was also due to the care and attention to their ongoing wellbeing. The feeling that they relied on a human being for their food and comfort was very rewarding.
Similarly, we are pleased to assist in the care of those valued pets where families are not in a position to undertake the necessary expense of medical care or even a good diet. The foundation has a constant program of care for animals where appropriate. While some of these require only a minimal investment, the result is very rewarding to all involved.
The program is primarily designed as a teaching aid to children to help them understand the importance of taking responsibility, and to alleviate the suffering of stray animals.
Pictured are Oma (mother) and Omy (son) now living an opulent life after Oma was found homeless and hungry.
As a young boy, Darrell Berg-Smith learnt many things from his dog Jema, and his cat Tibby. They had a long and very happy life with his cat Tibby living a playful and very healthy life until the great age of 22. This was also due to the care and attention to their ongoing wellbeing. The feeling that they relied on a human being for their food and comfort was very rewarding.
Similarly, we are pleased to assist in the care of those valued pets where families are not in a position to undertake the necessary expense of medical care or even a good diet. The foundation has a constant program of care for animals where appropriate. While some of these require only a minimal investment, the result is very rewarding to all involved.
The program is primarily designed as a teaching aid to children to help them understand the importance of taking responsibility, and to alleviate the suffering of stray animals.
Pictured are Oma (mother) and Omy (son) now living an opulent life after Oma was found homeless and hungry.
