Two disabled ladies requiring help

[HughJass]

I am not sure if this post is allowed but I hope the mods will allow

I am acquainted with a couple of 50 something thai twin sisters who suffer from a condition commonly known as Achondroplasia or Dwarfism..they live in a small village outside Chiang Mai

Never been married and sleep in the same bed

Getting on a bit now one suffers with a heart condition and the other has a dodgy hip and walks with a stick

They work five days a week for a local guy peeling onions for 3 baht a kilo, (I hear they make about 40 baht a day each) and live in a small bamboo caged room ( see pic) under a dilapidated wooden shack which houses a brother who rarely lifts a finger to help them.they are part of my g/f extended family and have recently asked her can she help get some sort of block structure under the house/shack built for them to live in permenantly in as they are finding it increasingly difficult to access the small space upstairs in the shack where they sleep

The family seems to help out a little but the ladies still only have about 3000baht a month to live on including occasional gifts of food ,there is very little interest and a lack of spare cash to do anything about their situation.the ladies have 4000 baht saved and there is going to be a whip round in the family but I doubt it will amount to much

I wouldnt normally get involved but in this case I feel I have to help them out because nobody else is going to. I dont have bundles of cash to put in but will be making a contribution to the pot ,the sort of budget we will have isnt going to stretch far in Global House

So I would like to ask if any members have any of the following USED items gathering dust which would enable a better construction than the budget allows to help these two disabled ladies

Windows

A Door

Floor tiles

Cement

Paint

Western toiletjust the bowl as it will be flushed with a bucket

Any household wares u dont want that may be useful

They are not looking for anything fancy ,expensive or nearly new just serviceable

Thanks for any input

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Before this topic gets closed, let me quickly put in a recommendation for some of Chiang Mai's Facebook used goods groups or free stuff groups. Put in the same request there, which may also result in some people helping out. Those are groups like:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/689332284416789/ (Free stuff)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/149726448524351/ (Second hand, but reaches a lot of Chiang Mai people; just ask)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2ndhandchiangmai/ (Same)

Edited July 23, 2013 by WinnieTheKhwai

[HughJass]

Before this topic gets closed, let me quickly put in a recommendation for some of Chiang Mai's Facebook used goods groups or free stuff groups. Put in the same request there, which may also result in some people helping out. Those are groups like:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/689332284416789/ (Free stuff)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/149726448524351/ (Second hand, but reaches a lot of Chiang Mai people; just ask)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2ndhandchiangmai/ (Same)

thanks Winnie......I did read the forum rules before posting this topic and couldn't see any problem.....I thought there would be a better chance of them getting some help on the CM thaivisa forum where hundreds will view the topic rather than a for sale website....let me be clear that I am not asking anyone for a financial contribution of any sort

[JohnC]

It might be worth researching for the contact details of the Chaing Mai Expats Club and the Rotary Club to see if they could offer some assistance? in Pattaya our expats club did something similar for a young disabled girl by buying some breeze blocks .

[Tywais]

I'm going to let this topic run under Admin discretion. But ask for no discussion of financial donations as that butts up against the solicitation rule. And kudos to the OP for his concern.

[eden8]

Before this topic gets closed, let me quickly put in a recommendation for some of Chiang Mai's Facebook used goods groups or free stuff groups. Put in the same request there, which may also result in some people helping out. Those are groups like:

is there a sub-forum where user can post about helping people?

[hellodolly]

Don"t know if they are a new group or been around for a while but you might also find help here.

[email protected]

I saw an advertisement for them having a meeting on Aug 22 at thge river market. Not sure if it is start up or what ever.

[SunsetT]

What happened to the Thai minimum of 300 baht a day for these ladies?..........disabled or not, work is work is work...........

...............And Im too far away to help. But I sincerely wish you luck in helping these 2 ladies have a more comfortable existence.

Edited July 23, 2013 by Rooo
inappropriate humor for the topic.

[Dante99]

What happened to the Thai minimum of 300 baht a day for these ladies?..........disabled or not, work is work is work...........

What happened to all the laws that exist in the world and are not enforced uniformly? Law is law is law................and this is Thailand Thailand Thailand

Where are you?

[Ta22]

Pm me and let me know , i would like to help, if it possible give me their address i may visit them.

[Beetlejuice]

A very sad state of affairs. To be honest I wouldn’t even let my dogs live in those sorts of conditions. Really upsetting to see this.

If the sisters were living in the West, the Government would have provided them with a purpose built home and stair lifts installed.

I looked at the pictures and some questions: Does the supporting structure of that wooden shack seem safe? What would happen in the event of gale force winds or an earth tremor? Could the whole lot come tumbling down on them?

I am no expert at house building, and don`t claim to be, but it would make sense to me to ensure that the supporting pillars are secure and safe first, prior to building any rooms below the present structure.

Edited July 24, 2013 by Beetlejuice

[elektrified]

I looked at the pictures and some questions: Does the supporting structure of that wooden shack seem safe? What would happen in the event of gale force winds or an earth tremor? Could the whole lot come tumbling down on them?

I am no expert at house building, and don`t claim to be, but it would make sense to me to ensure that the supporting pillars are secure and safe first, prior to building any rooms below the present structure.

I agree. The supporting pillars/columns look very flimsy and unsafe. I hope that will be the first issue that will be addressed.

Very kind of you to help these ladies.

[Beetlejuice]

Another point is that in some villages the Government gives the local council extra budgets for people of no wealth in similar situations. Has anyone approached the head man of the village to make inquiries?

[muchogra]

To me, it actually is not too bad a place. I, myself, can live in such a compound; but then, I'm not handicapped like the twins. The twins are fighting, which is commendable, but the brother who doesn't help is a drag to people willing to help.

Like the poster, Ta22, I may want to help if I know where they live to visit to see first hand.

[HughJass]

A very sad state of affairs. To be honest I wouldn’t even let my dogs live in those sorts of conditions. Really upsetting to see this.

If the sisters were living in the West, the Government would have provided them with a purpose built home and stair lifts installed.

I looked at the pictures and some questions: Does the supporting structure of that wooden shack seem safe? What would happen in the event of gale force winds or an earth tremor? Could the whole lot come tumbling down on them?

I am no expert at house building, and don`t claim to be, but it would make sense to me to ensure that the supporting pillars are secure and safe first, prior to building any rooms below the present structure.

the plan at the moment is to put block walls on foundations dug into the floor...the floor plan will encompass the bamboo room that they live in at present and the area behind ( middle pic on top line)

as u say that side of the wooden house is the most dilapidated I presume from 30 years of sunshine coupled with no maintenance

however the posts seem solid and with the extra support around the outside using the block walls as well as an internal room dividing wall the building should be a lot more stable

the work will be done by a local thai guy who from what I have seen does a reasonable job....I will have him assess the structure before work begins

[Tywais]

Please see my post #5 - "But ask for no discussion of financial donations as that butts up against the solicitation rule."

Post removed.

[eden8]

best is to donate furniture, kettle(if they need a better one) and kitchen stuffs(if they do cook)

[HughJass]

best is to donate furniture, kettle(if they need a better one) and kitchen stuffs(if they do cook)

thanks Eden.yes kitchen stuff is always good

after their new room is built they will be looking for

small coffee table

two seater sofa bed

lamp

true visions sat dish ( I have a box that will get Freeview channels)

curtains

pictures

wall clock

again they do not need expensive or nearly new just serviceable

sorry to make it sound like a shopping list ........if u have anything that u are planning to replace or throw away please let me know.....thanks

[Choonpon]

One wonder if it rains...or even flood..where are they going to sleep?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun HughJass,

Your concern for these ladies is very admirable, and I wish you, and them, the best of luck.

There's usually a good reason that a house like that is up-off-the-ground: floods; run-off from heavy rain, as well as general protection from dogs, bugs, etc.

If the ladies are still going to need to sleep upstairs, how is having a block structure below ground, going to help them with access to the upper room where they will sleep ? I do appreciate that a roof (hopefully) would protect them when they are below ground, though, but are you sure that a roof could resist whatever load would be placed on it by the house falling on them ? I would hope that if there is "ceiling" it's built from some form of light-weight lath under a steel horizontal framework connecting to steel-reinforced concrete piers carrying the vertical load.

Also, assuming these ladies are Buddhist, what about their local Wat ? While few farangs are aware of it, Wats do serve their community, here, in many ways. Has anyone in your family gone and talked to the Abbot of the local Wat ?

Is it the case, right now, that the ladies have anyone to help them safely go up the steps to where, I assume, they sleep in the upper-structure ?

~o:37;

[HughJass]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun HughJass,

Your concern for these ladies is very admirable, and I wish you, and them, the best of luck.

There's usually a good reason that a house like that is up-off-the-ground: floods; run-off from heavy rain, as well as general protection from dogs, bugs, etc.

If the ladies are still going to need to sleep upstairs, how is having a block structure below ground, going to help them with access to the upper room where they will sleep ? I do appreciate that a roof (hopefully) would protect them when they are below ground, though, but are you sure that a roof could resist whatever load would be placed on it by the house falling on them ? I would hope that if there is "ceiling" it's built from some form of light-weight lath under a steel horizontal framework connecting to steel-reinforced concrete piers carrying the vertical load.

Also, assuming these ladies are Buddhist, what about their local Wat ? While few farangs are aware of it, Wats do serve their community, here, in many ways. Has anyone in your family gone and talked to the Abbot of the local Wat ?

Is it the case, right now, that the ladies have anyone to help them safely go up the steps to where, I assume, they sleep in the upper-structure ?

~o:37;

the two ladies do not use the wooden house except at bedtime when their brother assists them up the rickety stairs to a room barely big enough to contain their small double bed

there they stay until the morning

My g/f informs me that there is flooding on the land but its further down away from the house

the pic gives an idea of what is planned but the downstairs room wont be as big

I asked my g/f about help from the Wat or the head guy in the village and she says they will say that u have a farang b/f to help your family

I do have a friend who was a builder in uk and plan to get him to survey the house and give his advice before proceeding

the budget is limited and TIT but the ladies need a room at ground level to live and sleep in

of course in an ideal world I would build them a two room house separate from the wooden house but there just isn't the resources to do that

[eden8]

One wonder if it rains...or even flood..where are they going to sleep?

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

remind me to donate a mosquito net too.

[HughJass]

Another point is that in some villages the Government gives the local council extra budgets for people of no wealth in similar situations. Has anyone approached the head man of the village to make inquiries?

they get 500 baht each a month from the govt , presumably its a disability pension

[Beetlejuice]

Another point is that in some villages the Government gives the local council extra budgets for people of no wealth in similar situations. Has anyone approached the head man of the village to make inquiries?

they get 500 baht each a month from the govt , presumably its a disability pension

Do they?

I know that in some villages the over 60s receive 600 baht per month, which is not means tested.

My question is; have you or anyone else approached and made inquiries with the head man of the village regarding the sister`s situation, and if so, what did he say?

And if no one has made the above line of inquiry; why not?

Edited July 30, 2013 by Beetlejuice

[hellodolly]

Another point is that in some villages the Government gives the local council extra budgets for people of no wealth in similar situations. Has anyone approached the head man of the village to make inquiries?

they get 500 baht each a month from the govt , presumably its a disability pension

Do they?

I know that in some villages the over 60s receive 600 baht per month, which is not means tested.

My question is; have you or anyone else approached and made inquiries with the head man of the village regarding the sister`s situation, and if so, what did he say?

And if no one has made the above line of inquiry; why not?

Good question why does some one not approach the head man or the Wat. Perhaps here brother or does he have a farong boy friend. No disrespect intended but I do know that my sister in law here in Chiang Mai has from time to time found lodging for her and her child in a Wat. And I her brother in law am a farong.

My mother in law here in Chiang Mai is 81 and only gets 500 baht a month from the government.

[HughJass]

The brother who lives at the same house is a useless waste of space who drinks, gambles and doesn't have a full time job....he helps people out for a little money here and there when he can be bothered or catches a few fish in a local pond

My g/f tells me that a couple of times a year some people from the village committee show up and give them some food so its obvious that they are aware of the situation

I asked her why don't they approach the temple for help, I said "what about getting a few monks around to help clean the place up and do a few home improvements"

the answer is the monks don't do that sort of dirty work...they are their to pray for your soul and relieve you of your money to ensure that u will go to heaven

I have been told that many people in the village think that the twins have been born with this condition as punishment for sins committed in a former life

this explains a lot because in the West they would be getting support from the govt and various community groups as they would be classed as vulnerable people

Edited July 31, 2013 by HughJass

[HughJass]

I have been in and out of Homepro,Goban How and various DIY establishments this week photographing and pricing up the materials needed for the job...came across a tile shop that does C grade tiles much cheaper, apparently theres a size difference of 1-2 mm in the assorted boxes but u can forgive that when they are only 120 baht a metre

Anyway I need some help in choosing from the bevy of beautiful designs that are on offer at the shop and also the colour for the walls to match

I did ask Yai and Noi but they want pink and green but don't realise it would look like Peter Stringfellows bordello and drive them insane within a couple of months

so please ask your teerac to help and lets see what what we come up with

Edited August 13, 2013 by HughJass

[cmsally]

For floor tiles try to get something non slip. Some of these tiles they sell are lethal in bare feet especially if wet, but dry also.

A lot of people like to put a mat , that slips even further - you get the picture!

Non slip is best.

[Tywais]

For floor tiles try to get something non slip. Some of these tiles they sell are lethal in bare feet especially if wet, but dry also.

A lot of people like to put a mat , that slips even further - you get the picture!

Non slip is best.

Good point. We have ceramic tiles in the living room and the front foyer. Just a small drop of water and you could find your feet over your head or find out you could do the splits. We have rubber backed mats for just outside the bathroom doors.

[NancyL]

Let the ladies pick the colors -- but definitely insist on something non-slip.