UPDATE: We only have 2 causes to vote on in May. We were approached by someone who wants to sponsor Nong Chonlada personally, so we will take her off the voting form.
We invite you to vote online for “Local Matters” this month, as we will not be meeting for the SOS lunch in May. Scroll down to the bottom to submit your vote. Voting cutoff: Wednesday 19th April (midnight).
Every month we allocate 5000 THB to the Local Matters initiative. Funds will be allocated based on the Sisters’ voting (3000 THB to 1st, and 1000 THB to each 2nd and 3rd).
Cause 1: SCHOOL UNIFORMS for NONG CHONLADA. (FUNDED PRIVATELY)
UPDATE: We were approached by someone who wants to sponsor the cost of Nong Chonlada’s school uniforms, so we will take her off the voting form. Thank you to her benefactor.
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We’d like to buy new school uniforms for Nong Chonlada, a 12 year old girl who goes to one of the local government schools in the north of the island.
It is compulsory for students to wear uniforms to government schools, which are due to open on June 1st. The girls uniform includes a blue pleated skirt, a white blouse, a tie, socks and shoes. There is also a sports uniform.
Nong Chonlada lives with her mother, her grandmother and her 2 year old sister. Her mother doesn’t have any work at the moment. Fortunately their landlord is letting them stay there for free until COVID restrictions are lifted.
Photo of Chonlada with her mother, grandmother and 2 year old sister.
School uniforms at Thai schools
CAUSE 2: Help KHUN CHART's FAMILY
We’d like to give Khun Chart’s family a help up during these tough times – to provide baby essentials for his grandson (including nappies, baby bottles and sanitiser); a gas bottle refill; some extra protein, vegetables and milk; and a little support towards their rent.
Khun Chart takes care of 10 people in his family – that’s 4 generations under 1 roof – including his youngest grandson who is 2 months old and his 98 year old mother. Plus they have a pig and a dog. He is hardworking and earns a very modest salary as a school janitor, which is not enough for the whole family to get by on.
4 generations living under 1 roof: Khun Chart and his family
Khun Chart’s mum (she’s 98 years old) on the left, and photos of their home on the right.
CAUSE 3: SUPPORT THE Sawan Maa Horse Sanctuary
We’d like to support the horses at Sawan Maa, a small rescue equine sanctuary located on the island. They are desperate for donations to go towards the feeding and care of the horses.
Normally the founder’s business (My Healthy Me) would support the Horse Sanctuary, but due to the Covid pandemic crashing the tourist economy of Thailand they can no longer rely in income from the founder’s business, as its barely breaking even.
You can also visit their GoFundMe fundraiser.
Some of the happy horses at Sawan Maa Horse Sanctuary
Min with two of the horses at Sawan Maa Horse Sanctuary.
RESULTS - MAY 2021
Thank you to everyone who voted online this month. The final results are:
- Cause 2: Help Khun Chart’s family – 17 votes
- Cause 3: Support the Sawan Maa Horse Sanctuary – 8 votes
We received a private donation to buy school uniforms for Nong Chonlada. How wonderful is that! So that leaves us with more funds to support the other two causes in May.
The Local Matters funds for May will be distributed as follows:
- 3000 Baht to Khun Chart’s family, to provide baby essentials for his grandson (including nappies, baby bottles and sanitiser); a gas bottle refill; some extra protein, vegetables and milk; and a little support towards their rent.
- 2000 Baht to the Sawan Maa, a small rescue equine sanctuary located on the island. The funds will go towards the feeding and care of the horses.