Hello readers!
This post is a bit different from my usual recipe shares—it's something personal and close to my heart. It involves food, cooking, Thailand, and bringing my Thai village together! Please read on for more details.
I’ve created a GoFundMe to help raise money for my village.
Last April, I pursued a dream I've cherished for years: feeding the elderly leprosy patients in my village, where I spent my childhood.
Feed My Village, Year 2!
When I left Thailand at 13, my mom, who also had leprosy, took me around our village to say goodbye to the people I grew up with. I was sponsored by Rebecca, an American woman working in a refugee camp at the time, to start a new life in the U.S.
My aunt and uncle, (I called them mom and dad) who raised me, believed this move would give me a better future and spare me from becoming a target of a government official preying on young girls.
Our village was established 60 years ago as one of 13 leprosy colonies where people with leprosy were quarantined. They were often abandoned by their families and considered outcasts due to fear and misunderstanding of the disease.
Living in gated communities, they struggled with limited income and the extremely negative social stigma of their condition.
Before I left for the US, my mom took me to say goodbye to the people I grew up with. Each person that we said goodbye to, gave me white cotton clothes (Sen Sin) to signify blessings and protection for my future.
Their next gesture that catapulted this Feed My Village mission was when the elderly patients slipped a bill of Thai baht into my palm and then uttered words like, “This is not much, E-Noo (little child), but I hope this small amount will help you with your future as you go to live your life in your new world.”
They knew that my life was about to change forever and that they may not see me again as the little girl who grew up with them for 13 years.
I did not understand their gesture until I was much older. They were all poor, unable to work or easily earn income, yet they gave some the little that they had.
Their generosity and selflessness had imprinted a mark on my memory. As I got older, I began to think about giving back to them somehow. So when my husband retired from the Air Force, I didn’t want to wait anymore to give back to the people of my village.
I began raising funds through cooking classes and doing family photo sessions. The support from friends and family was overwhelming.
Last year, during the Thai New Year (Songkran), I returned to Thailand and, with the help of my Thai family and friends, held my first village feeding event. The turnout and support were incredible, and I was able to feed not only the elderly but also the entire village for two days!
This year, I'm returning to Thailand with my kids, who are eager to help the village children with school supplies. We'll be fundraising at Kid’s Biz Fest on June 8th at Shadle Library in Spokane.
This event, organized by Rupali, teaches kids about entrepreneurship and we are using this opportunity to teach the kids about entrepreneurship and giving to those in deed. Learn more here: Kid’s Biz Fest.
My Goals for This Year Include:
- Feeding the elderly and the village. I want to continue feeding the elderly again, and if funds allow, the entire village.
- Kids' involvement—school supplies. My kids, ages 9 and 11, are coming with me! They want to help raise funds for the village kids' school supplies and, if possible, school uniforms. Please support them on June 8th at Shadle Library in Spokane.
- Home-building for a friend. I want to help a childhood friend and his family of five finish building their house. Their living conditions are terrible, and with the monsoon season approaching, I feel it's it's important to complete their home. The dad is struggling to find work, and the mother cannot legally work in Thailand. They have three kids who need a stable home.
I’m in touch with Dr. Kanchana’s (Dr. K) organization, Beulah Land Service, a Thai nonprofit that helps leprosy villages in all 13 colonies. Together, they will provide a few volunteers from another leprosy village in Khon Khen province. We plan to rally my village to help finish the house by June 28-30.
Now, this is where I NEED YOUR HELP.
I’ve created a GoFundMe where you can contribute. Any amount of donation will be greatly appreciated towards these goals.
If you have enjoyed my recipes on my blog and want to see more Thai recipes, many of which are my Thai family recipes, please consider donating. Every bit helps!
Thank you for your support!
Much love,
Suwanee
Mark
Love this! Incredible work!!!