The building of hotels, condos and shop houses never stop, not only around Pattaya but in every tourist area of Thailand, and driving past, seeing the tin huts that are on every site, it is not difficult to imagine the conditions in which the workers are living. Even worse for those children who, for one reason or another, are unable to attend school and are left to fend for themselves, passing the day the best they can. That is the situation that troubled Tracy Cosgrove. So she decided to do something about it.
Tracy started the non-profit Melissa Cosgrove Foundation in 2003 to raise awareness of the plight of young children and, as a consequence, has provided help and hope to thousands of children throughout Thailand. In the past she has worked mainly in Bangkok helping children in orphanages, street children’s projects, the disabled and those with HIV.
Welcome to Sanuk.
She has now rented a house in Jomtien and has started the Sanuk Day Nursery. Working alongside the ever increasing construction industry, trying to improve the lives of children living in squalid conditions. Children, as young as 2 years, are collected from the building site at 7.30 a.m. for an 8 a.m. start to the day and returned at 5.30 p.m. During this time, they are encouraged to learn to read and write in both Thai and English, they are provided with food and refreshments and have facilities to allow them to paint and draw. She is collecting some toys – where children are concerned you can never have too many toys – and children, who have never had the opportunity before, have no difficulty finding ways to have fun. Her main problem is funding. She has 25 children at the moment but if she could find more staff, which requires funding, this number could increase to 60 or 70 very quickly.
Pattaya Sports Club is helping to purchase many of the basic items to make the days easier for the staff but more help is required. If you feel that you would like to contribute by donating items that are needed or to donate some funds, please contact William at PSC 0871527754 or Tracy on 0847785476.
Everything stops at lunch time.
Children find ways to have fun.
One of the youngest in the centre.
Budding artists learn their trade.
Melissa, William and children inspect the goods.
