I am going to tell you about my two visits to the Yasothon humanitarian help centre. The Mekong Youth Movement linked to other synergistic groups, participates in the management of a centre dedicated to sick and parentless children. My first visit was an ordeal but on the second visit I was better prepared. I took things firmly and gave a hand.
My first visit in Yasothon
In the coach bringing me back to Bangkok, I was thinking of my day in Yasothon and tears ran down my cheeks. I am 38 and yet I can weep... Even today while writing my story my eyes get moist with tears. The Yasothon Centre lies 400 miles away from Bangkok and the means to reach it are not easy at all. Going there is a bit risky and it takes some ten hours by train when there is no delay (a 7-hour delay is not unusual) followed by a 3-hour drive by bus.
On arriving there I was greeted by Noëlle and Constance (2 dynamic volunteers who were yet having a hard time on that day). Quite a few sick people from the district had been brought for one day of care and information. I must point out that the physician from the French Embassy who offers both his time and money should be thanked for his efforts. Yasothon centre takes care of young drug addicts and tries to to reintegrate them into normal life ( yaba =drug which drives you mad; it is widespread because it is cheap). The centre also caters for children whose parents suffer from AIDS. How can I describe the 7-year old little girl (15kg) who was going to "leave" us without understanding what was happening to her. But the aim of my journey was to see my godson. He is privileged amid the kids looked after by the centre. Indeed although he comes from a poverty-stricken family, he lives with his whole family. What about their home? A few breeze-blocks, a corrugated iron rusted roof, no doors, no comfort at all. I first met the father : he rides a ricksaw, works seven days a week, earns some 100 to 150 baths (18 to 27 F) a day in order to give food to 8 family members (it means how important a godfather's help may be). My godson was so moved to see me that he did not dare address me a word but how he smiled, how many "wai" (greetings with joined hands) when I gave him a few small presents which I had brought. He spoke more willingly to a woman-volunteer and at last I managed to have him say his alphabet in English at the end of the day. No, my dear Out, I won't forget you, I can even promise to come to see you again. In the late afternoon, I went with the volunteers for a walk to the neighbouring wat (temple).
When I left, one of the young drug-addicts climbed into the pick-up for a drive, but he was not allowed to because he had behaved badly a few days before. He looked so sad that I'll never forget it. Near the wat, seeds were bought and the younger children enjoyed themselves feeding the lake fish -smiles and laughters-... But I cannot possibly tell the emotion experienced at the kindness of these children so ill-treated by life. Yet they are lucky to be sheltered in the centre. How many more are abandoned in the streets to the risks of drugs, prostitution or modern slavery in illegal workshops busy with counterfeit brands. A few more photos and the day is over.
Visiting this place brings you back to reality and the everyday petty worries seem vain compared with the struggles there and in many parts of the world where your mere survival is a fierce fight. The most beautiful thing I can wish you is to go one day to see your godson in one of these far-away countries. Then as you come back you can say that somewhere in the world you are helping a family not to get drowned. Perhaps you give them the opportunity of a better future with some more education. If you, they, I, each of us, do our share, it means misfortune will gradually be less. 21 € = 7 cigarette packs or bottles of whiskey. It is up to you to make a choice...
For my second visit, I spent the night in the bus with a Thaï friend to bring the medicines collected from the pharmacies in my village. We reached the centre (suthasinee noiin fondation for children and young) as early as 5 a.m. The dogs that recognized me let us come as routine and we had some rest on the chairs, outside. Around 7 o'clock, the people in charge opened the centre and offered a bungalow for us to be able to sleep for a while. Then the children came around 9 a.m. All of us squeeze in the 2 pick-up to take us to the school. Only the younger children stay in the "creche". Among them, Pake, my friend number one.He is 3 or 4 years old. He remembers me. I am entitled to many smiles.
After I ask those in charge if they need a hand to fix things. Finally there is a leakage ; by the same way, I check the whole plumbing. The worry is that the leakage is located in the yard under a concrete block block. Help, Mac Gyver! There is no burin. An old hammer, a 110mm nail. Here I am in a blazing down sun, trying to break concrete (my god, how hard it is at this latitude). After a close look at the parts to be bought I am off with a member of the centre on a motor-bike make both drawings and gestures to let him know what I want. On the way back, bad luck, the motor-bike has a break-down. Well, with some luck, accross the road is a motor-bike garage. Mind you! I say a motor-bike garage : I should say a wooden hut with corrugated iron. The tools are not from Facom but, well, with the tricks of the trade and the helpful local mechanic I manage to get the bike working. Back to the centre, my friend and I finish the repair.
We are offered a meal, which by European standards may taste ordinary, but there, it is a royal feast. On top of it, I am invited to have a shower with hot water. It does me a lot of good. Then comes the time when my godson leaves the school, a centre volunteer drives me there. On our way, there is a police control. She has no driving licence, but as the centre is well-known, everything goes smoothly. She explains to the police-officer coming to check me that I came to give a hand, then controls are left aside, with a wide smile and respects. Here we are at the school ; my godson comes and is taken home. Rather self-determined, the boy has decided to go to a school much farther, likely to give him more opportunies to get on. We enter the store, buy ice-creams, choose a cassette. Once at home his walkman does not work anymore. I give him mine. We then walk to a small market for a lemonade. On our way, other children hail us; it is true that in the district "farang" (foreigners) are few. We have a chat for a few minutes. After, we meet Out's father downtown on the way to the coach station. Dad has repainted his cycle and is proud of it. I try to drive it. But I am having a hard time at it... No gears. A few more smiles and the evening has come. My bus comes and I go on my way.
For that third visit, as usual I brought plenty of medicines. At the customs I had a good time laughing with the officers as they asked me if I have Viagra to declare (truly!). I would like to emphasize the extreme kindness of these customs officers who were aware that the medecines were destined to the centre and, though I had no official document with me, did not charge me any taxes. On my arrival to the centre, what a surprise : within six months, a building had surged from earth (thanks to the financial support of a former minister of justice - sincere thanks to him). The nephew of the priest had come for a longer period of time in order to fit out sleeping rooms as well as a nursery in the old and new buildings. This excellent worker, with the help of Thaï volunteers, had done good job but was stuck on electrical problems. My arrival gave him the solutions (good luck for him, no?). Then he was able to terminate his work just in time before the inauguration of the said minister. I spent the rest of the day busy with a few drawings, explaining the basics of electricity, purchasing the adequate tools, translating (approximately) to his Thaï colleagues in order to facilitate my electrical task. As for my godson, he was busy doing baby-sitting... so, I couldn't see him...
See next chapter with my nextcoming visit...
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| Cute and smiling but life has not spoilt them... | A "yaba" boy consumer. As far as I could notice, something was going wrong in his brain. | The sister of my super pal: "mister Pake" |
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| From the bridge, children throw seeds to feed the fish. It will be their sunday afternoon past time. | The day nursery: it is both spartan and efficient... | The central buildings : a gift from the Japanese embassy. |
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| Here is an example of the clever way of reprocessing: the Thaï way. An old tyre turned into an unbreakable basin to give babies a bath. | My top-friend: the ever-smiling Pake has stood painful events before coming here. | The coming of Christmas and New Year cards should add extra money to the centre. |
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| The centre water tank. | My driver as we purchased plumbing articles. | My Thaï friend (Suwit) who took an active part to the plumbing repairs |
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A car of the centre... May be something to be done there? |
Me as a plumber. | Mister Pake and co... |
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