Do You Suffer From Charity Fatigue?

[Mobi]

It is some time since I last wrote about the Mercy Centre, and as there have been many new members during the past few months, it is appropriate that I remind you all of the deprivation, hardship, and tragedy that exists daily in our little city by the sea.

The Mercy Centre relies entirely on voluntary donations and in many ways is the conscience of Pattaya. Started by Fred and Dianne Doell, an elderly Canadian couple, some 7 or 8 years ago, it fulfils a desperate need that other organisations and government departments either won’t, or can’t contribute to.

In summary, the Mercy Centre:

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1. Provides a residential home and rescue centre for ‘at risk’ children – many of whom have been brought to them after being severely traumatised by their life in the slums and suffering from malnutrition, and often, sexual abuse

2. Takes food, water, supplies and clothing to the desperately poor and needy who exist in Pattaya’s indescribable slums;

3. Conducts prison visits to give food, water, supplies and clothing to the young mothers and their babies who have been incarcerated – invariably for petty crimes or drug offences.

4. Runs scholarship projects for the very poor and needy children, by providing them with school uniforms, books, tuition and follow up care for their families in order to give them a brighter future and take them out of the vicious cycle of never ending poverty.

5. Runs a single parent support project which aims to help provide jobs, livelihood projects, and assist with child care, plus whatever is needed to help the families stay together.

The above projects – and others – are all managed from Mercy’s premises in North Pattaya, just east of Sukhumvit Road, and as I am sure you can imagine, requires a lot of resources, both human and financial to keep everything going. The centre is a wonderful place with a large house set aside in spacious grounds for the residential kids, and a large building (an ex diamond factory) which has been converted into offices, school rooms, meeting halls, warehouses for the needy etc. Apart from a couple of paid Thai residential workers, (who, incidentally are totally selfless and dedicated), almost the whole staff are volunteers – mainly farang – and even Fred and Dianne, the founders, give their time free of charge, as their living expenses are met by their church.

So I can say with confidence, that any money donated will go straight to the desperate and needy, and will not be eaten up in administration.

There are many ways you can help.

In the past, I have been able to post a link to Mercy’s website, but as this is no longer allowed, I suggest that if you “Google” mercypattataya, the website URL will come up as the first or second link in your search results. Once at Mercy’s home page, you just click the button on the right entitled ‘How can I help?’ and full details will appear. In essence, the Mercy Centre welcomes any kind of assistance, be it a ‘one off’’ cash donation, regular monthly or annual donations, a donation of food, clothing or other items, or a donation of your time and skills to help in some way.

There is also a printable location map on the ‘contact us’ page. If you are unable to get the details on the net, please send me a PM or an email, and I will send them to you.

In this TV appeal, I am especially asking for a few generous people who can consider joining our list of sponsors who have committed to donating 1,000 Baht per month. The Mercy Centre needs 100,000 Baht a month, just to keep going. This includes, rent, utilities, staff salaries, food and all running costs, and so far we have succeeded in find 40 kind people who have signed up. But we still need another 60. Every single person will make a difference and get us a little closer to our goal, so please don’t think that your 1,000 Baht will not help that much. If everyone though that, we wouldn’t have got the list up to 40.

Some come on kind folks – put something back into the community that you have chosen as your “home in the sun”. Indirectly, the development of this town which we love has been a major contributory factor to the tragedy which exists in our midst – so let’s do something about it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Mobi

Here is a sponsor form, and some pics, which are self explanatory.

Mercy_Center_Sponsorship_Letter_2.doc

Edited May 30, 2007 by Mobi D'Ark

[Chang_paarp]

Mercy currently has 16 kids living in the centre ranging from 18 months to 14 years, although most of the kids are under 7 years old.

If you feel uncomfortable giving cash, they are happy to accept food, clothes or even a helping hand. Obviously cash is king, but donations in kind will be put to good use, nothing goes to waste.

To get more information type mercypattaya into your browser.

[Mobi]

Anyone out there?

[britmaveric]

Mobi - I'm sure your point has been made mate. Mercy Center is a worthy charity.

Most people donate anonymously I suspect.

[Mobi]

Mobi - I'm sure your point has been made mate. Mercy Center is a worthy charity.

Most people donate anonymously I suspect.

Brit, I wasn't having a go. I was just bringing the thread back to the top, in the hope that a few more might read it. Once it slips to page 2 it's dead.

But since you've mentioned it, we do of course know how many 'anonymous' donations we get, because they end up in the Mercy bank account. I am sorry to say the the number of donations that have hit the Mercy bank account in the past few months can be counted on the fingers of one hand, and if you'd lost a thumb and a finger, you could still count them.

[britmaveric]

Sorry to hear that Mobi!! Does Mercy Center have a paypal account or smth similar so one can donate when they are not in Patters?

[Mobi]

Sorry to hear that Mobi!! Does Mercy Center have a paypal account or smth similar so one can donate when they are not in Patters?

My Dear Brit,

I am not allowed to post Mercy's URL, but if you 'Google' mercypattaya the first item that will appear on your search results\ page will be their website.

Once there, you will see a list of blue buttons on the left of Mercy's home page.

Click the one entitled "how can I help?", then when you are at the 'help page', click again for the details you require, i.e. to 'donate from Thailand', or 'donate from the UK' etc, etc.

It is a bit convoluted to explain, but once you get the website up, it is very easy to follow.

Thanks

Mobi