It is always something to look forward to, a visit to the Camillian Social Centre in Bang Chang. The one thing you can guarantee when you visit the centre is a warm, friendly welcome from Father Peter, his staff and all the children and this year’s bi-annual visit by Pattaya Sports Club was no exception.
The Camillian have 65 children who, through no fault of their own, now live with HIV and, until a cure is discovered, are dependent on the many drugs, taken daily, for the rest of their lives. The staff take great care of the children and when you visit you come away with a good feeling knowing that the children have found a loving home and will be able to live a near normal life.
The lovely Khun New.
A big problem at the moment is financial. Many charities that receive donations from abroad have to wrestle, daily, with this headache for the worldwide financial downtown and the drop in exchange rates involving currencies in Europe and America has resulted in reduced income levels of approximately 35%. Economies must be made and new areas of financial support must be found but the welfare of the children is always the first priority.
Normally at this time of the year, PSC would purchase sufficient cotton to enable them to make bedding for the children but the cotton was not required on this occasion. Instead, a large drain on finances is the purchase of adult diapers. Yes, I said diapers. So off we went to Macro in ‘the Camillian bus’ and a lengthy spell of negotiations took place with the management, following which, Macro were left with no stocks of adult diapers. We could not have managed without the services of Jimmy, who has been at the Camillian for 2 years and can speak Thai, for he demanded and obtained from Macro, discounts which enable us to buy a bus full of diapers and still had some funds to purchase some rice which is in short supply at the moment.
Back to the centre where a simple but welcome lunch was served, photos taken and the end of another trip to the Camillian Social Centre.
If you feel that you can help in any way, please contact William at PSC, tel. 086 1522754; or telephone Father Peter direct at 038665202. You will always be guaranteed a warm welcome.
Visitors are always welcome at Camillian.
The diapers have arrived.
The very useful bus.
The rice is not only for eating.
