New Life Outreach

We first met Tao during our mass educational outing sometime back last year. We remembered her well as she stood out from the rest of the girls - She got into a fight with our boys on our streetkids boys.

Tao's father was part of a drug trafficking circle and was caught and imprisoned many years back, leaving Tao without a fatherly figure. Tao grew up to be quite a rebel and the mom could no longer control her.

Few months back, Faa (a child on the streetkids program) informed us that Tao was getting into bad company and she has started loosing interest in her studies. Many days, she would play truant just to hang out with her delinquent friends.

Her mother got seriously worried when she heard that her friends are also connected to glue sniffers and her main concern is that Tao may be taken advantaged or even raped by these gangs (which occurs frequently here)

Tao was placed on the high risk children's category in our streetkids program and has been showing positive signs of improvement in our program. She has passed the probabtion phase and is ready to accept a sponsor.

Sponsorship cost SGD96/month and it provides her with a shelter and everything she needs to go through school.

If you would like to sponsor Tao, please email me at eugene@radion-international.org

Streetkids! Program
An outreach work aiding children from the following area of need :
1 ) History of drug/substance abuse
2 ) High risk family background (drugs/prostitution)
3 ) Abusive & special needs

Each child is tagged to a sponsor who will then commit on a year to year basis to put the child through the program. Each child cost SGD96/month and this includes everything. Yes, everything. From the clothes, to the day care to uniform to hygiene, everything is taken care of.

So this is the picture that some of you have been asking for ;)

Notes : We need more sponsors for this program for newer children undergoing probation or joining the program. Please write to eugene@radion-international.org if you wish to be placed on the sponsorship queue to sponsor the next child in need.

Mai Mee, Mong and Kita have all completed their probation. Among the 3 kids, 2 have been sponsored by Li-En and Jocelyn.

Mong is now open for sponsorship. Please drop me a note if you wish to sponsor Mong. eugene@radion-international.org

Note :
1 ) Tau a young teenage girl from a high risk family will be under probation till next month. Do look out for her if you wish to sponsor her.

2 ) Manip (high risk) will be joining the program next week

Just over the weekend, we had the first mass children's outing involving 2 villages. Khek Noi and Huay Nam Khao.

Over the 2 days, we brought some 50-60 kids out to Lan Hin Taek (Field Of broken stones) for excursion. The second day we had telematches and mass games in Khao Khor before heading to the final place - a place where children never get bored.... the brown watered village lake !

Pictures will follow shortly

This morning, Jong and her mother came to our field office and Jong's mother asked us to re-accept Jong into the program.

Just 2 weeks ago, Jong's mother came by and was convinced that she wanted to put her child through school herself and she asked for the school grant to be handed to her.

(This year, the government gave a 550bht grant to children from poor families to subsidise the purchase of school uniforms and textbooks)

Jong's mother came over a couple of times saying that she will put Jong into Khek Noi school and needed the money (550bht = SGD 20) to quickly purchase the uniforms Jong to go to school. So on compassionate grounds, my staff handed her the money in good faith.

Today, when the mother arrived, we asked her if she has gotten the school uniforms and we got a rude shock. She told us that she "lent" the money to someone else and Jong was still not in school, not a single cent was spent to get the child her uniform.

Now the mom comes over and asks us to send Jong to school after missing the school opening term.

We told Jong and the mother that there are more needy kids out on the streets and Jong has to understand its a opportunity to go to school and she has to want it herself. And with all runaway kids, she has to bear the consequences and punishment.

So we gave her and the mom till 5pm today to discuss when Jong is ready to come back.

Today we finally had our cooking competition between the girls and the boys on the streetkids program. Its a simple competition meant to add some hype to their daily routine and more importantly 2 things :
1 ) Teach them to appreciate the ones who prepare their meals, silently working behind the scenes
2 ) Teach them to manage funds (each team is given a budget of 50bht) whoever saves the most wins :)

The boys went out into the jungle to collect the banana flower as their main ingredient and came up with a fried banana flower dish (tasted something like instant noodle flavouring + goreng pisang)


The girls came up with a more traditional dish of stir fried vegetables with deep fried pork, which tasted quite decent as well.

The winner ? Surprisingly the BOYS ! (Rated by my 2 thai staff and ben)

We have just completed our songkran 2009 streetkids outing. The kids enjoyed themselves thoroughly.... with the highlight being the last day where they went to a water park where they had unlimited plays on the big slides (similar to the old big splash).

For those who have missed this.... you just have to wait for next year *grinz*

This is what we did for the 6 days.

Day 1 :
The children embarked on a 8 hour journey to reach bangkok airport. This is the first time they ever seen an airplane, and they were getting so excited that ben had to get them to sit down when the truck was moving.

This was also the first day where they learn how to use a cash card to purchase food at the food courts.

Day 2 :
This was the very first time in the children's lives that they see the blue seas for themselves. Many commented how delicious the water was... as it was salty *grinz*

They played for the entire morning in the waters and even had a go on the speedboat and riding on the banana boat which they went into a frenzy.

Later in the day, we visited the underwater world where the children came up close and personal with the marine life... touchponds, sharks, big fishes, eels..... etc etc


Day 3 :
On the 3rd day, the kids took a ferry for the first time, getting so excited. But the excitement did not last for too long as they soon got motion sickness :)


Again the motion sickness wore out when they arrived at the island where they got to play on white sandy beaches and got smoulded with white powder from the party goers.

Day 4 :
On the 4th day, we attempted to head out to the crocodile farm, however was caught in a massive jam for more than 2 hours (on a 200m stretch of road)... before we finally gave up and turned around.

The children were happy returning back to the resort and spending some 5 hours soaking in the swimming pool (till their palms turned wrinkly and white)

Day 5 :
We got the kids up early that morning to bring them to crocodile farm and stone park. This place was more like a zoo where there were also tigers, elephants and rare birds. The kids were all running around the enclosures and trying to tease the crocodiles.....



The final highlight was the pattaya water park where they spent the entire afternoon playing on the water slides....agian and again... and again... and again..... it was simply amazing how kids can be so entertained by such simple things for so long.

Day 6 :
A final day of good byes to our volunteers before heading back to Phetchabun. The entire team reached safely at 10pm back in the village


*more pictures will follow once i get an CF card reader :)

After a nice 3 weeks in Singapore, I'm now again on my way back to Thailand. These 3 weeks has been a great time for me, a time for me to recuperate(from my strained back from Project LIVES) and a time to meet the groups which i've not managed to meet up the last few rounds.

Anyway, now I'm stuck in the depature lounge waiting for my badly delayed flight to finally decide to take off.... budget airlines and it quirks with the entire check in system crashing just before i managed to get my tickets.

Once i touch down I'll be joined by ben and the gang to bring the streetkids to Pattaya for a splashing good time - Songkran (Thai new year celebrated by splashing water unwary strangers *grin*) All the streetkids for the first time will get to visit bangkok & pattaya as part of their educational exposure programe :)

Looking ahead, today will be a day of travelling and fun with more than 20 people in tow. From the STK children to the staff to the volunteers, its going to be exciting bringing those kiddos to see the vast blue sea for the first time.

So I'll continue blogging after I get back to Phetchabun from Pattaya. :)

Nong Nuu grew up in a dysfunctional family. Her father is a drug addict and constantly abuses her mother. The family finally tore apart when Nong Nuu was about 7 and since then her mother remarried and the step father does not consider Nuu as part of the family. Nong Nuu is also physically abused by her mom who uses a blunt object to hit her. When she first arrived, Nuu had a big bruise on her right arm.

Growing up in a destitute background, Nuu gets only plain rice for meals which she adds water to make it more palatable. Nuu does not receive sufficient nutrition and her growth has been affected.


Personal Note :
We first saw Nong Nuu when we went about our home visitation work. At that time, she just appeared at the door of the home we visited and looked on quietly. The volunteers spent a little while to play with the children however there was no mention that she came from a dysfunctional family. We did another round of home visitation and this round we visited her home and was told the story of how the family suffered through physical abuse.

Nong Nuu is a quiet and shy little girl who carries a beautiful smile – Hiding her hurts and pains.

*Nong Nuu is still in the probation phase, if you are keen to sponsor her, drop me a mail at eugene@radion-international.org

Nong Maai is our newest girl on the streetkids! program. Nong Maai is 9 this year but she has been doing poorly in school and has repeated level 1 for 2 years. When asked, she tells us that she is not able to cope in school as she is often asked by her mother to excuse herself from school to tend to her younger siblings. As such, her education is badly affected and till today, she can't speak properly.

We first came across Nong Maai during our home visitation to Somchai's family. Her mother is the sole breadwinner and the whole family is too poor to even afford a proper roof over their heads. Since our last visit to the family, the family of 7 has been squeezing below our makshift canvas roof which deterioated rapidly due to the presence of rats.

Nong Maai came for our december streetkids! mass outreach and we saw a little sparkle in the girl's eyes. When asked if she wants to stay with us, she shyly but quickly replied..."YES"

Nong Maai's family is dysfunctional with her mother taking care of the 6 children. The oldest child was slashed to death in a drug related issue. Her drug trafficking father has just been released from prison but now lives with another lady.

This shy little girl came in with moldy clothes and she has probably not bathed in weeks. This little girl has a huge dream, a dream to be a medical doctor. And we want to give her the best chance to reach for that dream.

Nong Maai requires a sponsor. Please write to me if you are keen to sponsor her.

Saa plight was brought to us through John(Beang) who is on our Streetkids! Program. John told us of his half brother who was slowly getting involved in glue sniffing and vices. So we did a home visitation and needs assessment at home.

In our visitation, we noticed that the mother son relations were poor and the mother had little control of what Saa was doing. When asked about his activities, his mom was surprised that her child was involved in vices, substance abuse and missing school. This gave us a good indication of the care and attention provided to Saa was lacking in the family.

In our conversations with Saa, he comes across reserved character, speaking only when he is spoken to. This boy seldom smiles and keeps most of his thoughts to himself. Of late, he has been opening up and we see hidden hurts in his life that have yet to be addressed.

Update : Saa has been sponsored by Lee Minwei

Children from the STREETKIDS! program are not just poor children - they are children from high risk backgrounds, be it substance abuse, gang involvement, family violence and vice.

We would like to thank everyone for the overwhelming support given to this program. While most organisations are in need for child sponsors, we have been blessed to have it the other way around with supporters waiting on the sponsors queue waiting to help that special child.

What makes us so different you might ask ?
The difference is simple, we are extremely careful in our screening process to take in the ones who really need help.

To be honest, many parents come up to us to offer their children to be placed on the streetkids program, many are from poor families, some even destitute. But in the place i'm working, 80% of the people are destitute - living just off SGD$6 a day for an entire family.

Every single StreetKIDS! sponsor know that each child has only ONE sponsor and the sponsor is the vital key to turning the child's life around.

In our work, we have our fair share of heartaches and pains. But thats the price we pay in our work :)

If you are keen on supporting a child, please write in to eugene@radion-international.org and we will put you on the list. Once a child comes on the program, you'll be the first to be notified.

Queue For Child Sponsorship
1 ) LEE MW
2 ) CHEN YN
3 ) WONG SY
4 ) HO SJ

A child... born into a desperate world

Life where hope is scarce

Anticipation Of MILK! Mission

Little refugee girl stands aside to watch

MILK! Mission At Site X

Medical Screening For Refugee Children

Census Of Refugee Population

Mr Colin Tan is a talented self taught professional photographer with a big heart to reach the needy. Last month, he made his debut visit to RADION International and sponsoring a full photo coverage of RADION’s first ever humanitarian relief mission to Site X.

After a heart warming visit to both Site X as well as the Streetkids! Ministry in Phetchabun, he has generously pledged 10% of all his future photography contracts to the RADION Outreach Fund.

To see his portfolios, please see : http://www.colinsphotograffi.com/

RADION's Streetkids! Ministry at Phetchabun By Mr Colin Tan

Streetkids! Together

Going To School

Last night, David informed us that he would be pulling out from the STREETKIDS! program. It was rather difficult evening as it was terribly difficult to let this kid go, after all we have been through.

Now, what happened was this. Last week, David was given special permission to go out for 1 hour (as per curfew) but he failed to return for the entire night. Just after 2 days, he sneaked out in the morning breaking curfew. In the evening, special permission was given to him and he broke our trust again.

I guess the temptation is too great for him outside and he feels caged up with the 1 hour free time. Especially with his friends coming by and chiding him to join them.

Last evening, I sat down with him for more than 1 hour and I told him that he has to decide for himself what he really wants in life. I cannot force him to stay, but I told him that he is always free to come back when he is ready to join the program again.

My work.

For my Christian friends, do pray for this little boy.

For all my regular readers who are familiar with the streetkids program would know about a boy named David. Famous or rather infamous for his rebellious "heck-care" attitude.

This kid has been with us since the start of the program and has been one of the most hardened cases we have encountered. Today, a relative of his came by and gave him a small bunch of longan and if you know the streetkids, they would be the first to gobble it up leaving the stems behind.

Just after dinner I headed up to my office to finish some work and then i heard footsteps coming up. It was David the "ah beng" of the group, swaggering up the stairs, walked right into the office with a ganstery sway. He looked at me and pulled out a bunch of longans which he kept hidden. He took the bunch of longans and placed them on my desk, without saying a word. He swaggered down the stairs.

It was hillarious and yet touching to see a hardened boy do the sweetest thing out of his own heart. I guess we are really starting to see fruits from our sustained efforts (excuse the pun).

Over the last couple of weeks was one of difficult decisions.

We have 2 elderly ladies who came over to our office to ask if we can take her child into the streetkids program. She is old, poor and not able to control her child anymore. This elderly lady's eyes welled with tears and pleaded for us take him in.

As I sat there, torn between helping this lady and helping the others who are more needy then her. I struggled for sometime before gently refusing her telling her that we only accept children who have no one to care for them or ones which have been abandoned by society.

As the news was translated by my staff, both the elderly ladies eyes filled with tears and smiled gently back as if to say "thank you for taking time to speak to us"

Every week, we have many parents coming in to our office, asking for assistance. As much as I would like to help everyone, we need to keep our major priorities our focus.

In mid-October, we'll be bringing all 11 of our streetkids on a long distance education field trip.
They have been bugging me about bringing them to see the sea, something which they have never seen in their whole lives.

The nearest beach is at Pattaya and that is very likely where we are headed !

This trip will be a 4D3N trip and we are looking for volunteers to come alongside us to assist us in this outing.

Pre-requisites ? - You must be ready to get wet !

Email me at eugene@radion-international.org to obtain more details on this trip !