Orphanages: Is El Shadai Okay?

[Nonja]

Having just moved in to the district, I wandered around there without previous notification yesterday at 5 pm, prime dinner time. Just thought I would be neighbourly and see if there was anything I could contribute. There were only three or four small tots playing in the dust with a puppy. A woman standing 10 metres away, and obviously in charge, had no idea if the place was called El Shadai or not. They are supposed to have 18 children of various ages in their care. At 5 pm, there was no sign of any other children at all: nor was there any sign of cooking. I find this very strange. Many farangs on Trip Advisor bring large donations of food and supplies, and apparently contribute a great deal to this place.I just think it is a little strange that no-one ... no orphans, were present (as in running around, as children do), and at 5 pm there was no sign that food was being cooked. This is Thailand, and food is food. Is this place really a bona fide orphanage?

[DonaldBattles]

You may rest assured that there are a lot of shady farangs here who claim to be trying to save people from their culture, religion and environment. Many of these people hide behind their religion and are paid by unsuspecting organizations where they come from. I don't think that there is anything wrong with Buddhist and they don't need to be saved from anything or anyone. This province is rich in food and there is no unemployment. There are plenty of schools for people to go to. The undocumented hill tribe people are given free education by the Thai government. Who is helping who?

[toybits]

Please do not support religious organizations that masquerade behind orphanages as a front for religious conversion.

[canuckamuck]

There is quite a few more kids that live there than what you seen, but sometimes they go out on trips to other villages. They came to our village this Christmas and put on some skits and a bit of music. You could have saved yourself some trouble by just asking some questions. Some of the staff speak good English.

There are always people quick to attack and slow to do any worldly good.

[Morden]

I too am suspicious of orphanages and organisations of any kind that claim to help needy children. Better, I think, to help at least one needy family with whatever the children need, in kind rather than cash perhaps. Another way to help is to donate computers, ceiling fans and the like to village schools.

[diddums]

I too am suspicious of orphanages and organisations of any kind that claim to help needy children. Better, I think, to help at least one needy family with whatever the children need, in kind rather than cash perhaps. Another way to help is to donate computers, ceiling fans and the like to village schools.

What you think that they are all boogey men out there to deceive ?

What about the children that need that do not have a family that you suggest to help ?

[Morden]

I too am suspicious of orphanages and organisations of any kind that claim to help needy children. Better, I think, to help at least one needy family with whatever the children need, in kind rather than cash perhaps. Another way to help is to donate computers, ceiling fans and the like to village schools.

What you think that they are all boogey men out there to deceive ?

What about the children that need that do not have a family that you suggest to help ?

Let's not have this thread turn into another TV slanging match.

I said that I'm suspicious, not that I would never support one. I prefer to help children in other ways. If there's an orphanage that's well run then I might help. Believe me, children suffering or in need in other ways touch my heart. But I'm practical and not cynical.

What do you do to help needy children in Thailand.

[xen]

There was a previous TV post on this place . Interesting reading,http://www.thaivisa....adai-orphanage/.

[DonaldBattles]

The House of Union near me is an example of pure and non selfish work for young hill tribe people to be assisted in getting an education and transportation to a school. This operation was started by Ron and Debbie and they turned it over to their Thai assistant who is now running the operation in a very business like operation. I see them from time to time and try to help where I can as this is an example of Thais helping Thais.

[pomchop]

http://ayui.org/

anyone looking for a NON RELIGIOUS orphanage/poor Akha kids might want to check out this one right here in Chiang Rai...it is run by a half thai/half aussie gal. Want to help? Send her an email and arrange to go visit and see for yourself if you want to contribute or volunteer to help the kids in some way.

OR if you prefer to help some dirt poor THAI kids simply with actions rather than money you can do so at one of the poorest of the local high schools by visiting for a few hours and just meeting with some of the kids in and SPEAK english to/with them in a classroom setting.........next year i plan to help them start a program to encourage english speaking farangs that are either local farangs or backpacker types passing through to come to the school and just interact with the kids for a few hours....the kids are taught to read and write english fairly decently but RARELY do they get a chance to actually try and speak or listen to English....please no "work permit" lectures..we are talking about simply VISITING the school one time for a few hours and speaking ENGLISH with a bunch of kids(hint: you have to speak VERY slowly)...not sure who has more fun, the kids or the farangs who do this......maybe do it on a set day/time every week or whatever but need to figure out how best to fit into the schools schedules.....once we figure out how to best do this i will post on CR forum but won't be for a few months as this semester almost over and exams start soon...try it, you'll like it....sing, dance, show slides of your home country....it all works and the kids are a very attentive and polite bunch....

[Nonja]

Thanks everyone. The previous thread was most interesting. Thank you again for the information.

[sceadugenga]

I see this thread, as such threads often do, brought a brief some what unfriendly discussion on who contributes to their local Thai community and in what manner.

I recently made a submission, on behalf of a group I belong to, to an Australian government White Paper Australia in the Asian Century where I pointed out that a Westerner just being part of an Asian village community must benefit that community even if the person involved doesn't actively become member.

With more funds and income available that person must benefit that community, they spend more and use local tradesmen, often employing full or part time workers like housekeepers or gardeners.

Many pay for the education and upkeep of children not their own but because they are a partners.

From a personal point of view, for some one who cannot remember ever contributing to school and temple projects I have a lot of framed certificates hanging on the wall attesting to my benevolence.

Edited February 12, 2013 by sceadugenga

[my friend I]

Yes. The quiet merit making of the wifes.

It is very easy to adopt in Thailand. There are enough westerners here to have one or two each.

[brianmarinus]

My friend I.

Do you mean legaly adopt,you are very wrong-it is actualy very hard to get a permision, to adopt a kid in Thailand, and takes month/years to do so.

They do exactly the same way as in a western country about this.

[sceadugenga]

He probably means it's easy to end up with parental responsibilities without necessarily going through a legal process.

Agreed that legal adoption is becoming very hard in countries like Thailand, a friend and his Filipina wife tried for a long time to adopt her young niece before eventually deciding to sponsor her in her own country.

[villagefarang]

I could be wrong but I read “adopt” in this case as to mean “take on or assume” and not referring to the adoption of children. Granted the sentence was not explicit and was open to interpretation.

[sunholidaysun1]

Over the years there have been discussions on what charity based organisations here in Chiang Rai are genuine . I would like to see indepth investigations into the charities and the people behind them . Police checks on people for sure , there are too many paedophiles about not to warrent investigations on all adults working with or caring for children. I also feel that any charity that uses religion and the brainwashing tactics to convert should be banned and expelled from this country .

I know personally of a family who's 4 kids are payed 500 bht each term to attend Sunday services at the local christian church and even thought the kids dont want to go , the 2000 bht per term help with buying school uniforms and the parents force the kids to attend. I know people who struggle daily in life here use what ever means thay can to survive but for those western religious based charities who prey on the poor , YOU disgust me .

I would also like to see the government set up a formal register of each charity based school and a data base of all orphans with regular inspections . Any ideas ?

[Nonja]

It seems El Shadai Orphanage may really have been El Shady after all, as several posters commented at the time. This is a one-off post, regarding the current situation. If you wish to debate the morality of false orphanages, religious coercion, corruption, Christian evangelism and the sex-trade, stop preaching to the converted on this board and post on TripAdvisor Chiang Rai Forum, where it is all happening. It is on this board that they are promoting Christian orphanages and soliciting funds and promoting visits to childrens homes as tourist attractions (only cute children need apply). I am appreciative that several members of TV went and visited the El Shadai orphanage and came away with positive vibes, but these vibes were very possibly misleading. You guys did your best. The place was very cleverly run. Even today they are still requesting donations, and they now claim to host 30 orphans. A new little orphanage has opened around the corner (a whole new industry). What was never mentioned was that El Shadai shared the same physical address (but different banking details) to The Blessing Home, which claimed to host 40 orphans, and got $18,000 a year from a church in Singapore from 2008 onwards. Thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars worth of goods and services were given to the El Shadai Orphanage by TripAdvisor members. Now Trip Advisor have dropped them like a hot potato and certain TA members have opened their own orphanage in town. A massive luxury palatial two storey home is being constructed in the village by the family associated with the original orphanage: we are talking a McMansion here. What happens to the original orphans? Well, they still seem to live in the old premises. Go and have a look at the situation. The village is easy to find. Head towards Huay Pla Kaang, and take the first on your right: and up the hill into the village. Tell me I am wrong. But the best thing you can do, if you have a conscience, is to register on TripAdvisor (its free) and start debating the missionaries. They promote a Christian guide called Jermsak (Lahu). They have bought him a computer so he can access Trip Advisor more efficiently and take visitors to the orphanages more efficiently. I have done as much as I can. You can shoot the messenger as much as you like: Ive left town.

[JackBurton]

Well I don't know where to start other than saying that I have no connections to either El Shadai or Blessing Home.

However I have been to both homes and have known of them for many years.

You first opened this topic by saying that you went to visit El Shadai to see if you could be of help. That was in February. All you did was suggest that the place was bogus and not a Children's Home. No doubt with your desire to help the children you have been back frequently to help, as you live close by. I haven't noticed any post to apologise for your original post suggesting that it wasn't even real.

El Shadai and Blessing Home are totally independent of each other. You catch yourself out in your lie when you admit Blessing Home has been sponsored from Singapore since 2008. Yet you say "a new little orphanage has opened up around the corner". Blessing Home is about 300 metres down the road from El Shadai. You are correct however in that it is supported from Singapore. It has been and from what I know is still managed by local Lahu people who get a monthly salary.

The Singapore foundation purchased 5 Rai of land. Built the dorms, kitchen, toilets etc and purchased a vehicle. They saw that the Hilltribe children needed help. You seem outraged that Singapore has donated $18,000 per year. Do you think you could staff a Chilren's Home, feed, transport and clothe 50 children for any less?

Regarding "A massive luxury palatial two storey home, we are talking a McMansion here." You invite people to go and look. I live in Huay Plakang and have been past the house many times. I would guess that the house will be around 140 square metres in total and not 2 storey. It's on concrete posts at the rear because of the slope to the land.

If your concern is to help the Hilltribe children why do you write half truths and outright lies.

Chiang Rai has many Children's homes. Some have problems. Mostly with the people trusted to manage and run them. Let's just say you achieve your goal in having Blessing Home and El Shadai closed down through lack of support. Where do the children go?

I don't advocate anyone donating to either of the homes. Go and have a look and make up your own minds. But, don't let ill informed people with obvious agendas deter you from helping the children.

[Lizard2010]

With all the Donations from the Tripadvisor member, this would have to be one of the most supported orphanages in Thailand.

But in saying this.

There are many orphanages with similar name around Chiang Rai.

Who know who is and what is true.

just b careful when helping.

You could be just helping the owners of the orphanage.

Just my 2 cents worth