Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive 2013, sponsored by Glencore International and Canadian Jackalope Open
The 15th Annual Canadian Jackalope Open is coming up quickly on Friday, August 2nd at Burapha Golf and Country Club with a Stableford format and shotgun start at 12 noon. This charity tournament is their fund-raiser for the Camillian children living with HIV and disabilities. If you would like more information about this event, please go to http://jackalopeopen.org/jackalope-open-2013-update/
Since 2008, the Canadian Jackalope Open has been a Diamond Sponsor, or 400,000 baht plus donor, for the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive.
Tewid and his mother at the Camillian Home in Lat Krabang.
They joined forces with us then, with the proviso that all funds raised from their tournament would go to the children at the Camillian Home in Lat Krabang and the Camillian Child Care Center in Rayong. Since we were also staunch supporters of the Camillians, we agreed to their terms, and vowed to sweeten the pot from our side too. And, as a result, over the last 5 years, we have collectively provided 3,470,000 baht for the children at these facilities.
In 2008, when we asked Father Giovanni where our joint donation might be best utilized, he suggested we cover the 24/7 care-giving, physical therapy and anti-retroviral medication (ARV) for two children living with HIV and severe disabilities.
One of the children is a girl, Fey, 9 years old, who was born HIV-positive and abandoned by her parents at birth in a Nong Khai hospital. She was blind and mentally impaired, most likely from her untreated HIV infection.
After starting the administration of ARV’s, in conjunction with physical therapy and loving care, her demeanor improved markedly and now, 5 years later, she is able to walk with assistance too.
The other child is a 16 year old boy, Tewid, who was also born HIV-positive and due to late administration of ARV’s had become partially paralyzed with mental impairment. Today, he enjoys listening to music, and spending time with other resident children. He is often found smiling, recognizes his care givers, and able to sit up on his own. His mother, who is deaf from her own HIV infection, also stays and cares for him at the Center.
In addition, Fah Sai, the 5-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who was neglected and abandoned, is now the 3rd child under our umbrella at the Camillian Home. We featured her in last week’s issue of the Pattaya Mail.
Presently there are 22 resident children at the Home, 14 of those are orphaned and 12 are HIV positive. There are also 37 regular day visitors, who come for basic education and physical therapy. Most of the kids in question are afflicted by physical disabilities, cerebral palsy, blindness, autism, Down’s syndrome and/or learning impairment.
Fey sitting up. We, the Jackalope and Jesters, have been covering Tewid and Fey’s 24/7 care for the last 6 years.
There are also 34 dedicated staff members at the center, who together work 8-hour shifts around the clock, every day of the year.
Besides the 24/7 care for the above 3 kids, every year, the Canadian Jackalope and Jesters take the 50-70 Camillian kids from the Rayong projects to Big C for Christmas shopping and in the spring on an excursion of their choice. Last April, we went with them to Siam City Park, a sensational amusement park in Bangkok. If you would like to learn how you can help these disabled children, please visit go to www.care4kids.info or www.facebook.com/jesterscare.forkids.
Please remember that our Main Events are coming up soon:
* Children’s Fair: Sunday, September 8th, at The Regent’s School Pattaya
Gala Party Night: Saturday, September 21st, at Amari Orchid Pattaya
