Recently I have mentioned having a lot on my mind and I guess now it is time I revealed a little about this.
If you have followed the story of my time here in Thailand you will know that I came here after 7 years of working with Autistic adults and children. It was the only work I ever truly loved doing. It would appear that I have an empathic gift that, whilst sometimes very draining, I feel compelled not to waste. Running the cafe business was a good distraction for a while and gave me time to recharge, but never got close to making me as happy as the days when I went home glowing , having kept my charges calm and happy, giving their families much needed rest and recuperation.
Having now settled here in Thailand I feel it is the right time for me to get back to the sort of work that suits me best, where I can do the most good and give something back to this place, the place that truly feels like home.
After alot of thought and discussion, my partner, Somboon, and myself have decided to set up a Foundation.
Having helped out with an existing childrens home over recent months, and knowing just how widespread the unfortunate problem of orphaned, abandoned and ‘at risk’ children is in this area, we also aim to open a facility to offer more, much needed places, in a safe secure and caring environment.
Having worked in both residential facilities and as a support worker to kids from their homes, I hope to put my experience to good use and establish a high standard facility, with staff trained to cope with the range of possible behavoural problems that we may encounter, to give any children that come to our care A Better Chance.
At present we are literally in the planning stages. Presently waiting for the required Police Check , we will put in our application for Foundation status as soon as that check arrives back from the UK.
The registration process takes somes months before final registration, but we do hope to go ahead with the intial stages of setting up the first home within the next 6 months.
Our greatest wish is to acquire land and construct a purpose built facilty, which would cater not only for displaced children but also offer help for Children on the Autistic spectrum that may otherwise find it hard to get proper assistance.
In order to build our reputation and prove our ability and quality of working practice we intend to open our first home in a rental property, whilst raising the money for the desired purpose built facility.
Some have questioned the wisdom of going public at such an early stage.
It is our own perception that in order to gain most trust and support it is right to let you see what we do right from the very start.
We want this Foundation to be as open as possible and for its supporters to feel a part of it from the word go.
If you are interested in becoming a supporter of our Foundation or maybe even volunteering, ( we will be looking for volunteer workers in the very near future) please contact us using the contact link at the bottom of the page.
I will be posting fuller details of our plans, including aims and objectives, working practices, etc, over the coming days and weeks, along with updates on what we are doing right now, in relation to the Foundation.
Another reason for doing this blow by blow account is that maybe someone is looking in that is thinking of doing something similar and would like to know how to set thinks up, registration procedure, pitfalls and problems, etc; and if what we are doing helps or inspires anyone else along the way, then we are happier still.
To follow the story and become a part of something good please follow this link www.thestrattonabcfoundation.com.
You will also find this link in the Charitable organistion link list.
