Background
This project has its origins in my visit to the village of Nong Tong in November 2007 where I stayed for four weeks. I have been increasingly drawn back to Thailand since m first visit in august 2006 with a group of therapists from Ireland to Chiang Mai . . .
Case Study
This young mans name is Atapha and he is about 27 years old. He was born a normal child but when very young he contacted a fever and . . .
Background
This project has its origins in my visit to the village of Nong Tong in November 2007 where I stayed for four weeks. I have been increasingly drawn back to Thailand since m first visit in august 2006 with a group of therapists from Ireland to Chiang Mai . I have my good friend Terry Kenny to thank for this visit.
I had travelled back in march for a short visit and decided to have an extended stay from late October of last year. Early on I stayed for a week in Non Tong with a lovely lady called Sosana, a local woman of the Lisu Hill Tibe whose welcome and generosity I will never forget. I had no intention of returning to the village but within a week I found myself back there and I remained living there for a further three weeks.
During this time I observed all aspects of village life, the lifestyle, the hardships, the poverty, the complete sense of despair, hopelessness and dejection. I met many situations that were difficult not to respond to. I befriended many of the village people, people who will remain life long friends.
Slowly over the few weeks that I was there , ideas came to mind and formalised into concrete plans. What started off from building one house for a family, increased to two houses, then to educating local children, then to other ideas like paying hospital care. This in turn encouraged me to look at the broader picture in Thailand and so the idea of a joyful home was born.
There is a vast difference in travelling to Thailand as a tourist and living there among the people where you get to know the true culture of this wonderful place and its beautiful and graceful people.
The language barrier was overcome with the help of Sosana in the village who has a good knowledge of English and the help of my guide in Thailand who is called Lino, who was of immense help to me in formulating this project. Both Sosana and Lino are very important members of the team that is gathering around this whole venture.
The Team
Patrick Hickey
Having worked with nature all my life through landscaping, I continue my work with nature now through the feet as I am a full time reflexologist. I am employed in ARC House Cancer Support. . .more»
Lino
Lino who lives in Chiang Mai with his wife and son. Lino is Thai and has his own registered travel business. His knowledge about Thailand and its fantastic culture has been of enormous help in formulating the progress so far. His future participation in Bann Yindee is of vital importance to the continued welfare of all that we are undertaking.
Sosana
In Nong Tong village we are blessed that we have Sosana who is a local Lisu Tribe woman and who commands great respect in the area. I have stayed with Sosana when I lived in the village and I experienced first hand her immense friendiness and hospitality. Sosana's role will be to monitor the progress of the children that we are educating in the area.
Baan Yindee Thailand started in the Lisu Hill Tribe village of Nong Tong in November 2007 and the original team consisted of the above and since then we have expanded our team in Ireland with the following people becoming founder director members of Baan Yindee thailand Trust Ltd.
- Cathal Henry - Dublin
- Anne Caffrey - Kells
- Anne Dempsey - Thurles
- Clare Hickey - Cork
- Mary Tracey - Tullamore
- Roselia Kearney - Straffen
It is our intention to enlarge our membership both in Ireland & abroad and we welcome all who feel that they would like to be active in the welfare of humanity through this far reaching and life changing project. Your contribution in time or donations will greatly bring joy and happiness to many many people.
