Dear friends, family, colleagues, associates......and other people on my e-mail list – take your pick at who you may be!

Between 16 and 24 January 2012, with a group of others, I will be riding a bike 800 kms from Bangkok to Baan Tharn Namchai Orphanage in southern Thailand.

The sponsored bike ride is an annual event organised by the charity Hands Across the Water (“Hands”). From humble beginnings in 2009 the ride has become a major source of funds for the work Hands does in Thailand. I am looking for sponsors and hope you can help.........or know someone that can!

Each rider must raise $10,000 ($Aus). Airfares, bike hire, food and accommodation costs are paid by each rider and do not come out of donations made by sponsors.

Hands Across the Water - The Charity

Hands was formed in 2005 by Peter Baines (Aus) and Gill Williams (UK) after their work (Victim Identification) as police officers in Thailand following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. They wanted to do something to support the children left without parents and teamed up with Duang Prateep Foundation, a respected Bangkok based charity. Over five years on, much has been achieved but many long term challenges remain and Hands is committed long term in this area.

In 2010, Hands started supporting a HIV orphanage near Yasathon in the north east of Thailand and has had a dramatic impact on saving lives in this area.

A feature of Hands is that 100% of every dollar donated goes to support the children and the projects Hands runs. All administration is provided by unpaid volunteers and associated costs absorbed by corporate sponsors. More information about Hands can be found at: www.handsacrossthewater.com.au

The Orphanages

Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage (pictured) is located in the Kao Lak region north of Phuket. The local coast bore the brunt of the Boxing Day Tsunami in Thailand.

Nearby is the fishing town of Ban Nam Kem. It is estimated that over 3,000 people, more than half the town’s population perished in the December 2004 tsunami. Many of the children and staff from Baan Tharn Namchai originally came from Baan Nam Kem.

Recently Hands has funded and overseen the building of the Ban Nam Kem Tsunami Refuge and Youth Centre. The new building a pre-school and childcare centre, accommodation, meeting rooms, tsunami escape tower and roof refuge. The new centre now provides a centre point for the local community.

The flat roof of the 3 storey centre can accommodate up to 1000 people should the need arise.

As well buildings, vehicles and ongoing running costs Hands has also funded a variety of projects aimed at self sufficiency. The orphanage manages a small rubber plantation, has planted commercial bamboo crops and maintains gardens, fish ponds and a craft shop.

As the years pass the transition of older children from Baan Tharn Namchai into tertiary study, employment and independence is one of the challenges for Hands going forward.

In March 2010 Hands began assisting the Suthasinee Noiin Foundation orphanage, known as Home Hug. The orphanage is in the Yasothon region 530km north of Bangkok and provides a home for over 100 children who have been affected by HIV.

Volunteer taskforces in November 2010 and April 2011 have carried out remedial and upgrading works to the orphanage’s buildings, grounds, fencing and water supplies. A brand new commercial quality stainless steel kitchen was installed to replace the previous 2 gas burner stands.

Those works which are ongoing, along with new beds and bedding, better food and improved access to medication have improved the health and spirits of the children and lead to a reduced mortality rate.

The repainting of the interiors of the sleeping quarters and repairs to windows and awnings have greatly reduced exposure to fungal spores which are particularly dangerous to children affected by HIV.

In April this year Hands installed 4 large water tanks holding a total of up to 220,000 litres of water. Previously the orphanage was only able to store about 30% of water they needed each year and had to purchase the shortfall.

Our Involvement

Sue’s aunt is a member of the Hands Board. In 2009 Sue and I spent two months living at Baan Tharn Namchai, helping where we could. We went back to Thailand in November 2010 as part of Hands 1st Taskforce to the HIV orphanage at Yasathon and after that spent some more time at Baan Tharn Namchai.

Sue returned in January this year with her sister to help with end of the 2011 Bike Ride.

In May we hosted Ted and Mook from Baan Tharn Namchai for 10 days in New Zealand and travelled with them to Sydney where we helped with logistics for a group from Baan Tharn Namchai making sponsor visits and attending a fundraising evening.

We hope in the future to host individual children in Wellington to attend English Courses.

The Bike Ride

This year there are two rides. One to Baan Tharn Namchai orphanage near Takua Pa in Southern Thailand and one to the HIV orphanage near Yasathon in the NE. I am riding south to Baan Tharn Namchai...... and yes there are some hills!

Helping Me Achieve the $10,000 Sponsorship Target

There are a number of ways you can help:

http://handsacrossthewater.com.au/the_big_ride

1. The link above will take you to the bike ride page on the Hands website. As well as videos and photos of previous rides there is a link to a secure website to make credit card donations under the names of the individual riders.
2. Alternatively by following the same link there are instructions on how you can send a cheque or money order or pay by direct deposit. These options probably suit Australian residents better than those outside Australia.

3. Cook books for Sale. “Hands Across the Kitchen” is being launched on 27 October featuring 50 Australian chefs’ favourite childhood recipes. We have seen the proofs of the book and it looks impressive. They would make excellent Xmas or corporate gifts. Information and sample pages are on the Hands website. We will have copies here in NZ for purchase in November. The cover price is $AU29.95. Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing cookbooks and we can discuss the price.

4. T-shirts for Sale. We will also have a variety of newly designed cotton Hands Across the Water T-shirts and canvas shopping bags for sale at reasonable prices. Currently on their way from Thailand we can provide pictures of the designs in advance. Please note if you do not buy these some of you may receive them as Xmas presents!

5. Sponsor a child. The Hands website has information on sponsoring a child. If this is something you are interested in contact us first as the 1st years sponsorship can be credited to my total.

6. Please pass this e-mail on to others who you think may be interested.

NB Hands has charitable tax deduction status in Australia but not yet in New Zealand. For those outside Australia any donations will be “pure giving” ie the best kind !

Some Thanks Already

To Ben Teusse at Habit Health and Fitness and Physiotherapy, who has been working on my dodgy left knee to ensure it is in shape and holds up for the ride. Ben and Habit have kindly volunteered to donate my physiotherapy costs back to the ride.

To Steve and Sue, Matt and Angela and Andrew who stayed at Paekakariki during RWC 2011 and have started the donations ball rolling.

A Dedication

I will be dedicating my ride to Dej, a Tsunami survivor who at 7 years old survived a night lost at sea. Dej’s mother a fisherwoman was never found. Dej passed away as the result of a motor vehicle accident this September, just shy of his 14th birthday. He has two siblings still at the orphanage.

With thanks (....in anticipation)

Andrew  and Sue Blair

Andrew: 021 614 189 or andrew@blairwattproject.com

Sue: 021 658 152 or sue@blairwattproject.com