Since our first delivery in April, we have been able to feed over 500 families with another 100 this week and next.
This food is a just one piece of a vital link to those who are impoverished. These people, and especially the children, are often the most at risk for trafficking because of economic despair.
As we deliver this food, we have seen significant need in the
Thai Yai tribal community. Thai Yai are mostly spread throughout southern Myanmar and lesser populations in northern Thailand. They are most often called 'Shawn' in English. These individuals are sometimes legal sometimes illegal but regardless work low wage construction or manual labor jobs. Their children can attend school but it is usually a school specific to immigrant children.
The following are our highlights from some of these deliveries:
Our first delivery about 6 weeks ago was to a Thai Yai camp of currently unemployed who were hungry. Their simple huts of tin, bamboo and other refuse were in stark contrast to their gracious hearts and warm smiles.
Thursday April 16th we were able to provide some food to 25 Thai Yai families we already knew through our ongoing work with HUG Project. These kids know us and it is hard not being able to see them as often after HUG moved offices. They are just so warm and cute I honestly want take a few home with us. They are ALWAYS a blessing to be around.
Tuesday April 21st we had a request to feed 25 families in a more remote but close area to Chiang Mai. Many of these people were either elderly or disabled and it was a joy to be able to bring the food to them.
Saturday May 9th we were SO BLESSED to able bring food to 100 Thai Yai families. These kids were so patient and helpful; helping us to unload all of the food from 4 cars and getting the food ready to distribute. The kids and adults were patiently observing social distancing as we got everything ready. While there, it broke our hearts to learn many of these kids live in ramshackle houses in the city dump or in an nearby abandoned warehouse.
Saturday May 23rd we met and delivered food in 4 different groups. These groups consisted of Thai and foreign volunteers and the local Poo Yai Baan (translated government leader over that community). Each group had about 10 people and 20-40 packages of food and toiletries. This was a very special moment because a LARGE percentage of these groups were very elderly and/or disabled. Deaf, Infirm, Paralyzed, Blind, Feeble all were represented in what was a pure joy to witness.
We know we can't change the world. We can, however, help to change the lives of these few we have a chance to serve in the Thai Yai and other communities of those in need. Our vision for the future is to 1) serve food while 2) building friendships and 3) build a platform where we can someday teach marketable skills to help break the cycle of poverty.
