Orphans' Visit to UK
10th - 13th May

Skye played host to five Thai Tsunami orphans this week as part of their visit to the UK together with orphanage director Rotjana, and two helpers.

Gill and Ian Williams, founders of Hands Across the Water organised two days of informal visits and a great deal of fun for Det (12 year old boy), Mook (12 year old girl), Jing Jang (10 year old girl), Lek (9 year old girl) and Ton Palm (9 year old girl). The five children were selected out of 67 children currently at the Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage in Takua Pa, Thailand. Selection was based on time spent at orphanage and hard work/good behaviour. These children all lost parents and brothers and sisters - Det survived for two days at sea clinging to a lid of a freezer box before being washed up on a sand bar with dead bodies.

Gill met everybody at Inverness railway station, cursing bad weather, however the kids were thrilled that it was snowing and ran outside every time it started again.

On Tuesday, the day started with a visit to Paul and Lisa Harris’s house (Harris furnishings) to meet lambs and a young Highland pony foal. They have not seen sheep before and very quickly learned how to baa back.

On to Portree for some souvenir shopping followed by a fantastic lunch at Cuillin Hills Hotel kindly organised by Peter the manager. Sandwiches, jelly and ice cream and sticky toffee puddings were quickly eaten (Rotjana ate 3 puddings!) The jelly was a special request from Ian (was this supposed to be for the kids?!!) Then 10 minutes charging round the lawns with Molly the hotel gold medal winning dog.

The afternoon was spent up at Knockbreck School where the Thai children put on two dances and a song for the local children. They were then treated to a song from the Knockbreck children and during photos all just communicated like old friends as kids have the knack of doing.

The evening was the highlight of the visit - a ceilidh down by the jetty in Waternish where the children were to dance again and Rotjana wanted to speak and thank everyone (Skye has been responsible for almost £20,000 worth of fund raising for the charity). What a fantastic turn out, Ian and Lisa cooked the BBQ - not one burger left, the kids all charged round with new-found friends and just had a whale of a time. The dancing was beautiful and Rotjanas speech was both moving and heart warming. What an inspirational lady she really is. Paul Harris sold the raffle tickets and together with donations a total of almost £1000 has now been raised. This money is going towards the purchase of a cottage in the village next to the orphanage to house staff.

Wednesday started with a visit to Trumpan church where the children listened wide eyed to story of death and destruction in such a beautiful place. They stood and sang at Gills dads grave which was an incredibly moving moment.

Onward then to Dunvegan Castle where they met seals for the first time on a boat trip followed by sandwiches and ice cream in the café, organised by Hugh McCleod. In particular they loved the seal called Ginger because he was different.

On to Dunvegan Primary School where they again met their friends from Knockbreck and a few more from the BBQ. Here they danced for the Dunvegan children and were treated to some songs and music from the local children. At both schools they also answered questions on there own school in Thailand, what the orphanage was like and did they have brothers and sisters. (They have 62 brothers and sisters).

Next stop was to Jans Cakes in Dunvegan where Jan had baked the biggest pink cakes for them, (their eyes were out on stalks) and coca cola. They sang for Jan and Lewis - wherever they have been they have touched so many hearts with their singing, their hugs and politeness. Back to Gill and Ian's for packing and dinner, they now had twice as much luggage as when they arrived so had to make some decisions as to what to take on with them as they are flying out to Belfast later this week. (Gill is meeting them again in London so is taking the other bags down with her.

On Thursday morning we caught the first ferry to Mallaig where, as we reached the ferry terminal, Rotjana realised she had left hers and all five kids passports behind in Waternish. (She later admitted to once forgetting her daughter and turned up at school to find this solitary little girl sitting on the school steps!) They have now safely received them due to Special Delivery thank goodness. The children slept from Waternish to 10 minutes out of Carlisle!!

Rotjana and the children have asked me to thank everybody for making there trip to Skye so special, they were made to feel so welcome, and the two schools created opportunities for new friendships. They truly did not want to leave.

Gill and Ian would like to thank every one who has contributed to this visit, whether by grass cutting, tent erecting, music, cooking, singing, smiling, waving and donating money. It all added up to a fantastic Tuesday night and a wonderful trip that not only will the children always remember but I think we, on Skye, will always remember. Five beautiful children have touched so many hearts.

"Thank yous" to:

• Calmac Ferries
• Peter at the Cuillin Hills Hotel
• Knockbreck School
• Gordon and Aileen, Dive and Sea the Hebrides
• Jans Vans
• Dunvegan Castle
• Dunvegan Primary School
• Jan and Lewis, Jans Cakes
• Madeline Jones
• Lisa and Paul (Harris Furniture)


• Everybody who helped either with marquee pitching/cooking/music/donations and for being there

New Building

Film Evening and Barbecue - 8th May

The barbecue took a while to get going due to damp coals but eventually Lisa and Paul from Harris Furniture at Edinbane got it roaring and we were all fed. The film was of our cycle ride across Thailand in January which from the comments received was enjoyed by everyone there. We also held a raffle and as a result of the evening and from a car boot a few days earlier raised a grand total of ?468.

Thanks to the following:

• Waternish Hall Committee
• Duncan MacKinnon, Made in Skye
• Steinn Inn
• Loch Bay Seafood Restaurant
• Old School House Restaurant
• Dunvegan Bakery
• Jans Cakes
• Cathy Myhill
• Harris Furniture
• John M Munro, Dingwall
• Judi - Shilisdair Yarns
• Knockbreck School
• Croft Studio, Dunvegan
• Glenmorriston Coal, Sconsor
• Ellen (Gill's mum) for taking the money at the door and selling raffle tickets