Last month while I was in Nong Tong village I agreed a price for the construction of Atapha`s new home and a start was made on it before I left. This construction was the biggest event ever in Atapha`s life and it gave hin enormous joy to witness all that was going on around this building. Daily he watched everything that was been done with the greatest pride and he became well known to the builders who had great time for him. A very happy story for all.

                Patrick with mother and child in their poor dwelling.

                Mother and child in their home.

                During my stay in Nong Tong I was taken to meet a mother and her child who live in very poor conditions. The child is about four months old and the mother is 44 years and this baby is her first child. Her husband was away working in the hills when I visited. The mother herself suffers from ill-health and is unable to feed her baby and relies on powered food from nearby Soppong which is costly in their terms. Thanks to the people in Ireland that had given me money I was able to help to provide money for food for the baby for a number of months and I will be sending more money  to them shortly. We will continue to care for this family on a ongoing basis.

               The young orphan girl in her local school when I first met her in August.

               This young girl is 6 year old and I was made aware of her circumstances by a teacher when I visited the local school in Soppong where some of the children from Nong Tong village attend. When her father was jailed her mother abandoned her and she is been cared for by her grandmother who has little income. So we have taken this child under our wing and are helping to educate her at present. She is a lovely child and amazingly despite her circumstances she is very pleasant and warm hearted. She is seen here with her grandmother and Sosana who is part of our team in village looking after the children`s welfare.

Another view of inside Asama`s house.

          A look at the inside of Asama`s house which is typical of Lisu Hill Tribe houses with the sides made of bamboo which is not a great protection against the winds and rains. In this part of Thailand it is normal to have frosty conditions in winter months so you can only imagine the freezing temperatures inside in the early mornings. Last winter we provided warm clothes for a number of very young babies in the village.

               More discussion on the site of Asama`s new house.

               In this picture we see Asama with Sosana, Lino and the head man of Nong Tong village at the front of her house. This meeting was held to discuss the construction of Asama`s new house.