Hoay Maw

We were delighted to hear the news that Paul and Rattanaporn have a new baby daughter. Our Thai co-worker Niti was truly honoured to be asked to give the baby a Thai name. He chose the name Napouayphorn, which means "count your blessings". We feel that this gift of a new life, a new family member and the meaning of her name couldn't be more appropriate for the children's home.

We travelled up in anticipation of meeting our new niece.

We took an orchid flower and a gifts for the baby. A Norwegian family who had been visiting Thailand with their family and their own young baby, very kindly gave some baby clothes and a buggy. Paul and Rattanaporn were delighted.

The mushroom pods had begun to produce fungus and within a couple more weeks should begin to produce mushrooms. The shitake mushrooms should fetch a good price at the market. They can also be preserved for times when there is less money for food.

The concrete fish pond had been given an extra outer wall and the gap filled with concrete to provide extra support. We took photos of the structure and Niti will liaise with a structural engineer friend to make sure that the structure is sufficient. Two sections of the pond had been stocked with fingerling catfish that were already thriving. One of the boys has been given the responsibility of feeding these fish.

The chickens are doing well but we would like to investigate whether it would be possible to make our own chicken feed or find a cheaper source. Three of the boys have responsibility for the egg farm.

Tea nursery

Tea seeds

World Vision are setting up a tea plant nursery on the children's home land. It is hoped that the children will have the opportunity to learn the process of raising the tea plants.

The children had come home from school early because the high school were having tests that week. The children said that the tests were hard and that they didn't know if they would pass. I said that I hoped they would pass. They also said that they it had been fun doing the activity on our previous visit.

Let's not forget to "count our blessings!"