Hoay Maw

Niti, Julia, Jenny & Adrian

This was our first visit back to the North since returning from our time in the UK. Our friend Julia was visiting and so it was a good opportunity to take her to visit. It had been some time since we had visited the Hope for Life Centre in Mae Sai and so we went there first.

Julia had prepared a craft activity for the children at Mae Sai and at Hoay Maw.

The children looked very cute as they returned from school in their scout and guide uniforms.

Julia explained how to do the craft. As usual, the children loved it and spent ages being very creative. Niti found a new vocation drawing cartoon figures to add to the children's creations. The time came for the children to eat their evening meal but they kept wanting to continue.

We had intended to teach and new song and have some worship and teaching but unfortunately we ran out of time.

The next day we went to the market first to buy some flowers for the ladies and some fruit for the children before driving on to Hoay Maw.

We had the opportunity to have an update with Paul and Rattanaporn who manage the home. They were amazed and delighted that the Spring Harvest children's offering focus has raised £8,000 along with other gifts from holiday clubs who have also used the videos. We discussed that we would need to plan and work together to use the money wisely and to invest in areas that will produce long term benefits.

• The shitake mushroom pods had been purchased and were being stored in the dark for a period to allow the fungus to begin to develop from the spores.
• The natural fish pond had been stocked with baby fish.
• The concrete pond had some structural problems which need to be addressed but was due to be stocked in the near future.
• There was a new trellis for growing beans. Seed stocks had been used up and so they needed some small funding for more vegetable seeds.
• Sadly, some very small piglets had been drowned in a rainy seaon flash-flood. The good news was that 3 female pigs were expecting. Two of the females had been bred from the first littes at Hoay Maw.
• The chickens were happier as the weather had settled and were now producing bigger, better and more eggs.

As it has been very wet, they have asked if we can supply some gas for cooking. The children usually collect wood for cooking but the wood

is very wet at the moment and difficult to use.

School registration fees haven't been paid yet as the school hasn't yet specified the amount, but these will be due in the near future. There was also a requirement for school supplies e.g. exercise books, pencils, etc as well as further school uniform including extra white shirts, socks and underwear.

We are looking for a suitable storage solution for the children to keep their clothes tidy.

At Hoay Maw, Julia led the activity with the children. It was more of a challenge because there were all the children from the village who had come up for Chinese School as well as the children from the home. There weren't nearly enough scissors and so we have decided to get some scissors for them to keep for activities like this.

Rattanaporn was due to have her baby the following week! ...