Good clinic.  Well attended and primary care in it’s purest form.  Gee and Arm at top of their game and competent.  Worthwhile clinic. ]]> http://www.rejoicecharity.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=29 0 http://www.rejoicecharity.com/blog/?p=20 http://www.rejoicecharity.com/blog/?p=20#comments Mon, 30 May 2011 08:09:46 +0000 Rejoice Charity http://www.rejoicecharity.com/blog/?p=20 Derek (Steve) Hallam.

Steve was 68 years old and, for the last few months of his life, was confined to bed.  He received 24 hour care, provided by nurses from Suandoc Hospital and the staff of Rejoice.

In a time of sorrow, friends and Thai people, who live around Rejoice house, came to give help and support to us.  The head of moo ban (village head man) arrived within half an hour of Steve’s passing to arrange for his needs and preparing his body according to Thai custom.  Although Steve was a Christian, I am sure that he would have appreciated the kind gesture.

On the following day a white coffin was delivered, without us having to ask  and Steve was transferred to the local Christian church.  The coffin was surrounded by an abundance of flowers and services and prayers were held for the next five days.  Chairs, tables and a canopy were erected in the car park, to protect those who came to pay their respect from the sun.

As an Englishman in Thailand, I was amazed at the response and help we received from the local Thai people, some of whom we had not known before.

So, according to Thai custom, there were five days of celebration of Steve’s life ( I cannot call it mourning), more akin to an Irish wake, but longer, with food and drink provided by our new friends from around the house.

Steve had spoken to me previously about wanting “Amazing Grace”by the Scott’s Pipe Band played at his funeral.  Again the members from the local Christian church arranged this and “The Rose” by Bette Middler was also played, a favourite of my wife Aree.

Those five days, although a time of sadness for the loss of the Head of Rejoice, was also a time of joy, strengthening friendships we already had and making new friends, from around our area.  I know Steve would have approved.

On the final day, there was a service conducted by two of the pastors of the church.  Hymns were sung and then Steve’s coffin was taken to the crematorium.  On the journey, Steve’s music was played from the back of a truck.  I must say that all went well and in good taste.

Steve’s ashes will be interred at the cemetery on the Lampoon Road, so he will not be forgotten.

In the last few days of Steve’s life, he requested that his life’s work with Rejoice Charity be continued, so, as a team, Aree, Gee, Ham and I, along with the help of our sponsors, will carry on Steve’s good work of helping the Hill Tribe children, who suffer the effects of HIV, AIDS and related conditions.

Therefore, as a team, we should like to thank all our friends for their help, and a special thanks to Winston Wong, Alan Wheeler and also Nigel from Rejoice UK, whom, without their help and support, we could not have accomplished what we did for Steve and Rejoice Charity in the last few weeks of his life.  May he rest in peace and happiness in the knowledge that his work will continue.

Lloyd Fountain.

Our Thursday clinic run is operating normally, and we hope to add more locations as funds allow.

With reference to the local Shan refugee, Construction Workers, and Bar Workers, we have identified more HIV positives and we are providing advice and follow up blood tests.

We have had one problem with a Shan Volunteer, a young man named Sak acted as a delivery man taking formula milk to a construction workers camp, on a recent visit he was unlucky to be in the camp when it was raided by the Immigration Police, he had no work permit and was arrested and sent to the Immigration Prison where he will spend six months. We are supplying some funds to his Sister to provide him with food.

We are awaiting the results of blood tests on two Shan girls who were raped by Burmese Soldiers  after their village was burnt to the ground and all food stocks taken, the girls managed to flee to Thailand, we will assist them where we can.

There is so much to do, so many People need help, please help those less fortunate than ourselves, please help the forgotten ones.

We give thanks to the following for their recent donations, Victor and Clients, Cedric, Ms Karen Tan, Jonathan Lee, and Frank and Wendy Claes.

Victor Wong for his donations, help with the Web site, and his ongoing support.

Cedric Osc, for his fantastic fund raising talents resulting in a superb donation.

Adeline Goh and family for their kind donation.

Winston, Jin, and Jeanette Wong, and Ken Tik, for their recent donation.

Mr.Montri, Mrs.Sanisa, and Master Tanatsorn, for their donation.

Khun Prasert Wongsonar and family for their recent donation.

Louise and Geoff Brooks of Australia for their kind donation made to the UK Office.

Paul and Isobel Pitcher, a UK couple who live in Malaysia, Paul recently carried out a jungle trek the proceeds coming to Rejoice, well done Paul.

Eric Chan from London UK, who started the new Web site.

Arthur Yeo of Singapore who completed the Web site and who will maintain it.

We also received a Donation from the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation, Hollywood USA, for the Aids Kids in and around Chiang Mai.

Thank you to all for making a difference to the lives of those less fortunate.

Steve.

We check each week with the head Teacher on the general health of the Children, coughs, colds, and skin problems, and leave the relevant medication.

This week no problems .

next to the Chiang Dao Aids Clinic treated 12 Patients, no serious problems.

After lunch we went to Fang, where we attended to 43 Patients, all refugees from Burma, majority being Shan, This is a general Clinic and not

restricted to Aids, the Patients mainly elderly, and very young Children, during the last year we have identified serious medical problems in some cases which otherwise would not have been found, ie high blood pressure,blood in sputum etc.

These cases were referred to the local hospital and are now being treated.

Some of the Childen at this Clinic are under nourished and we therefore provide formula milk and vitamin syrup.

We are urgently in need of funding to keep these Clinics going on a weekly basis.

I will keep you all informed on any changes of our mission to tend to the forgotten people.