The Opening of the Phru Tiaw Orphanage

Unveiling the plaque On Tuesday 29th August I attended the official opening of the orphanage at Phru Tiaw in Thailand. Together with my husband Ian, Ray Reeder, Steve Butler and Steve Hiorns, I flew out to Thailand a few days earlier in preperation for the event. I met up again with Pete Baines who had flown out with his wife Nick from Sydney on the same day and also my driver from when I was working out there, Arkom.

We drove for two hours up through still Tsunami devastated countryside up to the site of the new orphanage and realised as we were getting closer that this was not just a low key event. We past signposts and police officers at junctions directing us in. As we got to the end of the road, the building stood out from the surrounding village, green and white and looking absolutely stunning.

We turned into the driveway lined with marquees,
Marquees were set up for the event hundreds of people, hundreds more children and monks. The colours and atmosphere was amazing. We signed in and immediately were welcomed by Duang Prateep Foundation staff in the reception area. Shortly after I had an emotional reunion with Rotjana, the orphanage manager, who would not stop hugging me, grabbing my hand and showing me round. We were also introduced to Mrs Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, the General Secretary and founder of the foundation who again thanked us for making their dream come true.

Whilst introductions were being made,
Monks blessed the rooms monks were chanting in the background over the loud speakers. I was informed that they were upstairs in the building blessing the childrens rooms. We were shown up to witness them sat in a line linked by string blessing the building. After the blessing there were speeches in Thai, numerous mentions were made of Hands Across the Water and each time we were acknowledged with bows of heads.

Following the speeches the children and officials lined up taking hold of a rope which when pulled revealed a large plaque naming the orphanage. I was then invited to uncover another plaque revealing all major sponsors of the building. HATW was proudly at the top of the list.

I was presented with a beautiful glass memorial plaque engraved with Hands Across the Water and the orphanage details. We also planted two trees in the grounds.

We were asked to award sponsorships to 221 children. These children were brought forward, they would kneel down and bow, we would bow and hand over a small envelope with their sponsorship details in.
Awarding sponsorshipsThis was an incredibly emotional experience as some of the children were tiny yet so gracious and we all had to focus all of our strength in maintaining composure.

Numerous photo sessions and more introductions were followed by a spicy and delicious meal.

Rotjana showed me round the building which is absolutely impressive. It is a large and airy place, brightly coloured and cheerful with a large library and play area both inside and out for the children. The children also painted the garden walls to make it their home.

Upstairs at one end is a music room and next door is a room called 'Sarahs Room', named in memory of Sarah Bent, a young British girl who lost her life in the Tsunami. This room is bright and cheerful and sleeps seven of the orphans and a fitting tribute to Sarah.

Dr Sunyaratana Ratjatawan I spoke with the Dr Sunyaratana Ratjatawan who looks after the children and visits the orphanage every day. He informed us that the children still faced enormous emotional problems, mostly connected with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The thunderstorm of the evening before caused them to run and hide because the noise reminded them of the sounds of the wave. Most are now terrified of water and a number of them suffer survival guilt at having survived when their brothers and sisters did not. He also told us of one child who had lost 17 members of their family whilst another had lost 22.

The children, thanks to the tremendous support of everyone who has contributed to HATW now have a fantastic and permanent home and wonderful carers. It is also a centre for the local community to sit and visit and is a safe haven for children whose parents are away working. Everyone is welcome and is met with warm smiling faces.

This was probably one of the most amazing and emotional days I have ever experienced and certainly this is shared with the others I was with.

The Orphanage as drawn
by one of the childrenAt times we were really struggling to control the tears and I know that we all had our moments when it really did hit home with exactly what we were witnesssing.

HATW is responsible for creating a dream come true and we have been asked to pass on such a big thank you from the staff and children of the orphanage to everybody who has supported us in whatever way that you have.

A deep and sincere "Thank you" from Hands Across the Water.