Milk for Free!

Deborah and Mike have been mentioning Sister Joan’s big venture before, but only after a month I met her.

Trust me, you will be impressed the moment you see her in her big pick up truck. She is 75 and she is still driving around the slums with big bags of Milk powder behind.

7.30 am, the parking lot of Rong Mo Slums was filled with a long line, waiting for Sister Joan. The new born babies were comfortably sleeping on their mother’s arm. She gives away milk every two weeks for many years now, and not a day without a new born baby.

It was depressing for me to see very young mothers, some of the age of 14 and 15. Everyone has their own story, heartbreaking sometimes. Imagine the load of drama sister Joan receive every fortnight, when they fail to present the birth certs, or Father’s ID. Some fail to show who the Mom is!

Behind this Milk Powder giving, it is the unknown destiny of the child, a generation yet another generation of uneducated young mothers, possibilities of human trafficking, raping cases, taking and selling the free products. There is a whole lot of way to take advantage of Sister Joan’s big heart. That is why they have a card system, where they stamp the card whenever one takes the opened milk powder( prevent them from reselling) and support each child for only 12 months. Also they have to show both real copies of the parent’s ID cards, and the baby’s birth cert. One ridiculous case of the day was when a mother claimed that the hospital would not issue a birth cert to the baby because the fees were not paid!

After a long day of giving out cards, stamping, registering, and playing with the babies, I went to shop with Sister Joan for stocks. She has an explicit humor to deal with the problems; everything seems so easy for her! I couldn’t help but only to respect what she is doing! She knows she can’t do anything about her short term memory now so she has her way to tease herself! We came back and forth to her house twice to get her keys, car keys and lastly we arrived Carrefour without her mobile phone!:P

When I asked about the situation in the slum, “Education,” She blurted out. The truth is well known. The people need to be educated, but how? Education as we learnt in economics is a long term process, and people are unlikely to see the effect right away. People have to fill their stomach EVERYDAY, and also feed their children. The fastest way what more than to steal or selling themselves, or even the children? That is why someone has to come in to support a little, push them a little bit, and hopefully one day they will realize that it is not the way to live.

Why the young mothers? Besides the criminal cases, actually it is the grandmothers who want their daughter to have child! When you see the word grandmother, are you thinking of grey hair, aged, old women? You see, these grandmothers are only in their mid 30s and early 40s, they have not been taking care of their daughter because in a similar pattern, the daughter has to go out and work for the baby, leaving the babies to their aunt or grandma.
So when they are mature enough, they wanted a baby, to do it one more time, in a different way.

If I want it a different way, I will try to stop the cycle. It is the circle of life we are talking about. Hmmm…

Also, Petrol price inflation…price of one bottle of cooking oil has increased almost 40%, adding to people’s everyday problems. One shift of the Price in the Economics supply and demand chart, yupe, I am seeing the consequences here.

(pic4: the baby boy is two months old and still have not any clothes to wear, only wrapped in towels)

Peter and the Wolf and Thanksgiving(click)

Jewish Percussionist Mr. Asaf Roth arrived together with famous female singer Min, to tell a story to the children. “Peter and The Wolf” a fable that is known to the world, may sometimes remain anonymous to the children here. Mr. Asaf would like to be the first one to expose the story to the young audience with his expertise in Marimba.

Lucky enough, I stayed with them together with the Israeli Ambassador and his staffs before the show started. “High So”, the Thai way to refer to High Society was what I felt from my conversation with them. Well of course, the functions they had been in were grand enough to accommodate these famous people, hotels, entrepreneurs gathering, huge performing hall, yet music and arts should really spread to every corner of the society! Glad that there was this connection between the Israeli Embassy and HDF, Mr. Asaf was able to perform in our little garden oppose to anywhere he has been in the four days of his stay in Bangkok.

It was a wonderful performance, besides the Mosquitoes snapping game in the garden, the children managed to concentrate and “sucked into” the imaginary world of Marimba. Each character from the story was represented into a specific tune. Birds, Peter, Wolf, Father, duck where composed into little tunes that were easy to be identified by the children, alongside with Min’s cheerful narration of the story.

(pic 3: Min the singer and I)

Being a percussionist myself, I was most drawn with Mr. Asaf's ability to attract the audience with only a whistle. The climax of the night is when all the children stood up on the stool, jumped around and danced along with his whistle. Of course that took quite a bit of warming up.

The Israeli TV crew came to report this event. Many other Israeli musicians and Israelis who live in Bangkok came to watch the performance. Since graduation in Norway, since leaving my chatty Arab Israeli roomie Lelia, with 3 other roommates, It was my first time listening to Hebrew. College sick.

Then, it was Thanksgiving!

Satisfying enough, I was invited to Father Joe’s house for a real American Style Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, ham, cranberries, you name it! The Thais are not really happy with the meal, they didn’t eat as much as I do! First western meal after a long time, together with white wine
and my favourite Strawberry, how can I complain?

The day was noted one of the most significant day after I met with Sister Joan. She lives in the slums and deals with the people’s everyday life problems. One of them is to support young mommies from the slum with Milk Powder. Immediately, I agreed to join her ‘Milk day’ the very next day.

(pic4: Far left, HDF's advisors John, Tom me and Kun Ratanna, Father Joe's secretary)

Story from the Slums

One of my close friends here lives in the slums.

Once in a while, she will visit her mom and her niece who live in her 'old' house, where she grew up. They meet for Aerobics in the evening, a social gathering for the women in the slums, where they dress up according to the colour of the day ( They have a colour code for everyday in Thailand, Mon: Yellow, Tues: Pink, Wed: Green, etc...)

Its quite a fancy multipurpose hall, equipped with gym, playgrounds, basketball court, and park, built just right next to the slum. The land itself is enough for a hundred family in the slums, imagine how little space you need for a family.


I was quite confuse in the beginning, when I first saw the little niece, Phiaw. My friend keep saying that she is her daughter, but I know for sure that she is still single. An angel who loves to smile. Later on, I started to teach in the slums' kindergarten, and Phiaw is in my class. She is the little ambassador who will held my hands, goes around the slums introducing me as her teacher.

One day, we had a trip to the Night Market together with the kindergarten teacher. I was extremely amazed that they still have the movie screening with the old screening machine. She sat on my lap, (while myself on the rough ground ), drinking her favourite blue saft. Random kids stumbled upon her, and some recognised me as their "kunku" (teacher in Thai) , then they started their girls talk.


It was a movie about homosexual( its actually called "Metrosexual". A couple that is about to be married face challenges from the best mates trying to find out the real interest of the groom. Living in a conservative ambient here, I face conflict myself seeing them being so open when they talked about sexuality. Men are free to dress whatever they want( including dresses) yet they are extremely strict when girls are not dressed decently.

There is a joke in the movie that during the " Loi Ka Tong" festival ( which happens This coming Saturday, 24 of November.Everyone makes little paper boats to float into the river, they thank the river God and make wishes for the coming year) , 80% of the Thai women will lose their virginity. Then, I thought that it is a taboo to talk about Virginity, so I whispered to my friend, whether that statement is true. It became the top CNN news the next day in the foundation, and the senior staffs started to joke about it , asking who I will go to Loi Ka Tong with. So much of a taboo hey?


On the other side of the Market, there is this superstitious/religious ceremony. I recognized the Kuan Yin statue from the Chinese beliefs however abit reserved when I saw a 'living Buddha' sitting on a big chair, giving the people 'Words or Wisdom'. From what I understood, when he is touched, his soul will be shared with the person, and images of his /her future will be sent to his mind. I was smart enough to get away from the crowded long lines of people, who were patiently waiting for their turns.

The interesting day ended with me sending Phiaw back home to her grandmother. I was looking at the pictures on the wall. No sign of her family pictures. Cautiously, I asked.

A young girl met a young man. They were in loved. The young girl was pregnant. One month. No sign of the young man. The baby was raised up by her aunt and grandmother. No sign of her mom. The young girl is still out there, searching for love.

Nothing to be cautious about, she says, its normal. It isn't an issue of right or wrong; it is who and how to continue living.

Democracy

Back in the days when I attended ' World Today' in the College to discuss about World Issues, I often wondered myself: Who am I do jot concern to my own country? Am I even knowledgeable enough to discuss about it? Am I eligible for political discussion?

An editor pointed out that Malaysians in general are reluctant to claim for their rights. A taxi driver have cheated a few dollars, and we take the "nevermind "attitude. Different races are not treated equally, there are little chance to study in a Public University, "Nevermind, my parents work enough to support me, I don't need to complain. " Thus my attitude thinking that, Its okay for things are not going in the right track, because people around will adapt to the situation and live with it. The more you complain, the more you suffer from not getting the right action.

Gradually, people has forgotten about they are members of the society who's individual rights can actually make a difference when you want to make a change. That is when you want to.

I cannot describe my feeling when I met the former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, Jaturon Chaisaeng. A powerful and prominent person like him, speaking casually with two young girls, who has yet to learn about the outside world. Yushan and I are certainly the lucky ones.

As I only know the brief news about the Military takeover in Thailand, I listened quietly as Yushan asked about the main factor that cause the 'koo'. It started all from the word: " Democracy" He says, clear and fluent, taking all my attention.

The contituition of a country is supposed to be the most and utmost important document that cannot be changed in the country. However the constituition in Thailand has been changed 17 times since it first existed, deligating the 'power' to the favour party, Now and then after the military takeover.

How do you fight for democracy when the question is about " having a democratic constituition"? Whenever the people think the government is not good enough, they pull all the roots out, including the good ones, and start all over, leaving an empty land for makeover.

How tired can one be? Thailand has been moving to quite a sustain development. However 80 % of the interllectual actually support the military takeover, instead of waiting for the next election.

Then again it comes back to the education systems. Apparently, every field of expertise has their own council. The council decide what is the syllabus for their own field, and rarely interact with the outside world about the updates and advanced information. It is kept in a well.
The minister of education, which he has been before, has no control over the system, since people are refusing to change. When there is a suggestion, the answer will be a No.

"Renaissance" in Europe happened because experts of all field came together and shared their knowledge and experience. They help each other to improve and to be not too skeptical about their own views, the host said.

Every country has issues of their own. I am not touching senstitive issues here but just trying to have a grasp of what information I have been receiving. For those who understand the word Democracy, they have been fighting since 1970s for it to happen. Student activists from that time had a huge demonstration which is similar to China's "Tian an Men" incident. After the Military kill hundreds of people, these student activists ran into the forest, surviving by their own agricultures and spirit to live, in the most basic way, for almost four years.

"As long as the constituition is allowed to change, and people still believe in bringing peace through Violence, Democracy , is yet to happen. "

Democracy is actually a chance to speak out and have equal rights. A very simple explanation. But, how many country in the world has true Democracy?

Mr Jaturon is exempted from Voting nor held any political rights for 5 years, and so are the other 110 people under the Taksim regime. I personally felt that he is a sincere politician who really cares for his country. Before we ended our conversation, he said he has been a politician for 20 years, and still will be one.

AT some point of the conversation, I asked myself, "How many people really care about politics in their country, if they are fighting in their daily life with poverty, family problems, access to education?"

It inspired me to expose the children I teach about democracy and the right curiosity towards knowledge, for that it is how I came to stop by and say Hello to them. English class can be really flexible, the content is ANYTHING in English. I realized it today.

Children and Keys

I can't remember the age of getting a key of my own, but I remember it was quite sacred. Imagine an adult, giving you a key to keep for yourself. You are responsible for it if it get lost! How cool is that!

That is why i feel fascinated when the Mercy kids hold a big bunch of keys next to their pocket. They don't put it inside, they left it hanging, clinging to each other, making noice, as if to announce to all that they hold the KEY! The more heavy the bunch is, the more likely it is for their pants to drop when they are fighting or swinging their body!

They may lose their books, their spoons, or their cups, but they never lose their keys.

One dance rehearsal i had with the boys, I asked them to flip over.

Three to four bunch of keys fell from their pockets.

Father Joe's Birthday(click)

Father Joe is back from Bangkok and was celebrating his 68th Birthday (69th for chinese) this Saturday. I managed to took some pictures an some video clips for his b'day.

You will be impressed by the number of sons and daughters celebrating and sharing their love for him!

His present for me: " Things are always changing here, and its so hard to catch up sometimes, the kids are naughty in their own way, What do you do? they are really street kids! Glad you are catching up and getting on the pace!!! Thank you for being here with us, I have not seen the kids this active! "

CUTIES!

I taught in the slum's kindergarten, and these little 4 yr olds are my student of the day. First english lesson, Learning to write the letter 'A'.







I must get a pictures with them! They seem to love the stranger!!:P





















They dress beautifully to the kindergarten. After lunch, the girls putting on 'make ups' , actually powder( very common for kids here to fill white powder all over their faces , although I am not quite sure about the function)










Then is napping time!

LessonX: Make sentence

Realize: I realize my father is dead.

Think about: I do think about father and mother.
I don't think about anything.

Character: My character is good but bad sometimes.

Understand: I don't like my teacher to understand me because I am bad sometimes.

三兄弟, the three brothers

This story has a reverse sequence...

The funeral lasted for 6 hours

I was told they must not cry so that the deceased could go to heaven. This is a catholic believe.

I only see the Chinese crying. He is 79 and they are equally aged. They parted since they are kids, yet I could felt their love to their brother. . Although the Thais have soft voice, the guy who spoke are was soft and slow, yet they did not cry.

I talked to the Chinese relatives who came all the way from Hong Kong and Macau.

It was a well arranged ceremony, with lots of food for the people while waiting for the following agenda. All the colleagues helped in the hall, serving food, giving out ribbons and flowers, thanking people, giving out souvenirs. They thought of everything. I am so touched with the people who came 4 days consecutive for helping out during the prayers.

It was a catholic church. My first time seeing the statue of Jesus in gold. Thailand style cathedral, looks similar to their temples.

We got the news that the father of a colleague has passed on during the camp in Kau Yai.

I know this colleague on my first day in the Foundation. He speaks a bit of Cantonese but has lost most of it since He doesn't use it in Thailand.

His father sells roasted duck in China Town of Bangkok, since he arrived. He said nobody else could roast duck, it ended in his generation.

He sailed all the way from Guang Dong, to Bangkok. Settled down, and has four kids.

Three brothers are separated because of the poor condition in China. The eldest was 8 was he reached Thailand. The others settled in Macau and Hongkong, having their own families.

This story reminded me of the struggles of most Chinese during the early 20th century when they all fled to continue with their lives. Yes, just to survive.

Have we ever thought of how we manage to survive in our new home without their sacrifices of their original home?

三兄弟