For the longest time, I have been trying to figure a way to help the Palong Tribe.
Maybe, I have come up with a way, at last!
I am trying to open up an Online Store for them to sell their products. These bags, scarfs, clothes, coaster, etc. are all handmade. They are absolutely beautiful, unique and original. I have purchased some of their beautiful hand-work!
The Palong people just want an avenue to support themselves. They don't expect to live in mansions, drive cars or even dream of being able to travel out of their small little village (they do not have Identification Cards). Just want to be able to provide for their family... Hope for their children. As a parent, I totally understand how that feels.
I am going to try very hard to make it my project for the next 3-6 months.
Please bookmark this page so that you can come again to it when the online store is ready.
You can do your part in helping them leave this poverty by purchasing something, telling your friends to buy it or maybe buying in bulk and then giving it as birthday presents, Christmas presents, house-warming gifts, etc.
*fingers crossed* I hope I can get this to work....
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Have This Website Been a Help?
When I first started this blog for the Palong Tribe people in Chiang Dao, I just wanted to fulfill a need by the local Pastor.
After so many years, I was wondering if it had helped spread the news about their need, poverty and required assistance, in any way.
Since I returned to Malaysia in 2009, I have not been able to return for a visit, but I have thought about them frequently.
If you have come across this blog, would you leave a note, message or even remark to encourage them that you have been here?
Thank you.
P.S. I have my own personal website if you would like to come by to read what I have been up to since I returned to Malaysia. Click here.
After so many years, I was wondering if it had helped spread the news about their need, poverty and required assistance, in any way.
Since I returned to Malaysia in 2009, I have not been able to return for a visit, but I have thought about them frequently.
If you have come across this blog, would you leave a note, message or even remark to encourage them that you have been here?
Thank you.
P.S. I have my own personal website if you would like to come by to read what I have been up to since I returned to Malaysia. Click here.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Contact Details
Pastor of the Palong Church:
Mr Pub Lon Ti
P O Box 10
A. Chiangdao 50170
Chiang Mai,
Thailand
Person-in-charge of Hostel
Mr. Suriya Amonsantikiri
Mobile Phone:
+668 99997147
Email Address:
Gen_daraungchildrenhome@hotmail.com
Bank Account:
Name of Bank: Krung Thai Bank, Thailand
Name of Account: Bang Phark Det Pah Tom Mat Kan Da ra ung
Account No: 516-0-16924-5
Consultant / Advisor
Name: Miss. Saralapa
Email: Saralapa88@hotmail.com
Mobile phone
+668-10206386.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A Personal Visit to Palong Village
I visited the Palong village in the middle of 2008 and that was my first visit there. I was really touched to see the need of the people.
Mr Suriya who is currently in-charge of the hostel expressed a need for a website. Since I was having a personal blog of my own, I knew how to make a simple one... not too complicated. I have no formal education in IT but I loved playing around with the computer. So, that is how I ended up doing up this blog for the Palong people. So that the world will know about them.
By the end of February 2009, I will be leaving Bangkok because my husband's has been retrenched and we have to leave and return to our home country in Malaysia. But I have promised to help them update their blog if needed.
I visited the Palong village in December 2008. It was a mission trip which I made with Mary. She is the Missionary who initially introduced me to the Palong village. Mary works with Aglow Thailand and this group of women helps the Hostel both financially and spiritually.
I felt that the trip was very fruitful.
I post about my trip in my blog. Following are the link to it.
Day 2 - On The Road Again .... Chiang Mai
Day 3: Palong Village
Day 4: Still in Palong Village
May God bless you as you continue to pray and support them.
Mr Suriya who is currently in-charge of the hostel expressed a need for a website. Since I was having a personal blog of my own, I knew how to make a simple one... not too complicated. I have no formal education in IT but I loved playing around with the computer. So, that is how I ended up doing up this blog for the Palong people. So that the world will know about them.
By the end of February 2009, I will be leaving Bangkok because my husband's has been retrenched and we have to leave and return to our home country in Malaysia. But I have promised to help them update their blog if needed.
I visited the Palong village in December 2008. It was a mission trip which I made with Mary. She is the Missionary who initially introduced me to the Palong village. Mary works with Aglow Thailand and this group of women helps the Hostel both financially and spiritually.
I felt that the trip was very fruitful.
I post about my trip in my blog. Following are the link to it.
Day 2 - On The Road Again .... Chiang Mai
Day 3: Palong Village
Day 4: Still in Palong Village
May God bless you as you continue to pray and support them.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Testimony from a Widow
When I was at the Palong village in July 2008, we had a church service. The women, men and children were gathered to sing songs of praise and worship.
After the sharing, the people of Palong were given a chance to share their testimony and following is a testimony from a lady.
Being a widow, its almost impossible to find a husband. Infact its a taboo. But miraculously God provided a bachelor for me as a husband and we have 3 children since I arrived in this village. I have 3 from my previous marriage. My current husband is a very good husband.
I have had dreams of Angel. God is so gracious that he answers every small little request I make.
God brought a Pastor to the village at that particular time, and he brought us to the hospital.
When he was admitted to the hospital, the Doctor said that his wrist is broken and has to be admitted into the hospital. Oh no! I cannot stay because in 2 days time, I have to go to the court. The government of Thailand is prosecuting me because I chopped down a tree.
So I prayed.
The next day, the Doctor returned to check again and said that we can leave and return in 10 days. Praise God! So, I managed to go to court.
The other miracle was, the American Pastor paid the hospital expenses for us. We had no money at all! God sent the Pastor here at the right moment. So now, I pray for this American Pastor all the time, everyday.
I was so grateful to both God and the servant of God.
After the sharing, the people of Palong were given a chance to share their testimony and following is a testimony from a lady.
**************
Testimony No. 1
When I was in Doi Angkhan, my husband passed away. Pastor Somboon asked me to come over to this village to stay. Initially I hesitated but in the end I agree because the whole village consist of Christians.Testimony No. 1
Being a widow, its almost impossible to find a husband. Infact its a taboo. But miraculously God provided a bachelor for me as a husband and we have 3 children since I arrived in this village. I have 3 from my previous marriage. My current husband is a very good husband.
I have had dreams of Angel. God is so gracious that he answers every small little request I make.
Testimony No. 2
Since we do not have Identification Cards, we are not allowed work but my children has been granted, so he went out looking for jobs. Unfortunately, his bicycle was without brakes and he fell into a stream and broke his bone and teeth.God brought a Pastor to the village at that particular time, and he brought us to the hospital.
When he was admitted to the hospital, the Doctor said that his wrist is broken and has to be admitted into the hospital. Oh no! I cannot stay because in 2 days time, I have to go to the court. The government of Thailand is prosecuting me because I chopped down a tree.
So I prayed.
The next day, the Doctor returned to check again and said that we can leave and return in 10 days. Praise God! So, I managed to go to court.
The other miracle was, the American Pastor paid the hospital expenses for us. We had no money at all! God sent the Pastor here at the right moment. So now, I pray for this American Pastor all the time, everyday.
I was so grateful to both God and the servant of God.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The Children Hostel
The Hostel was built as a result of the vision of the Palong Pastor to educate the children from this Palong village. The poorest children from the Palong village is given a placing at this Hostel. Some of whom has never been to school and have just started going since the inception of the Hostel on Feb 2008.
This hostel house about 15 children both boys and girls. Staying in this hostel which is rented, makes it easier for them to go to school. Everyday, they walk to and fro school.
Pastor Suria is the House Father to all these children. He oversees the children, look out for their welfare, ensure they have food, raise funds for their education and many others. The boys and girls takes turn to cook every alternate week.
There are 3 huts. One houses the boys, another houses the girls and another smaller hut is the kitchen
The kitchen
The girls wash their dishes at the back using the water from the well
The stove which the children uses to cook
The boys retrieving water from the well and filters it for drinking purposes
This hostel house about 15 children both boys and girls. Staying in this hostel which is rented, makes it easier for them to go to school. Everyday, they walk to and fro school.
Pastor Suria is the House Father to all these children. He oversees the children, look out for their welfare, ensure they have food, raise funds for their education and many others. The boys and girls takes turn to cook every alternate week.
The hostel is about 200m from the main road in Chiang Dao
There are 3 huts. One houses the boys, another houses the girls and another smaller hut is the kitchen
One of the girls standing just infront of the girl's hut
The kitchen
The girls wash their dishes at the back using the water from the well
The stove which the children uses to cook
The boys retrieving water from the well and filters it for drinking purposes
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Origins of The Palong Tribe
The roots of the Palong people go back to the nation of Myanmar (formerly Burma). They lived under the rule of Khun Sat, a famour drug warlord and military leader who forced them to serve as soldiers since their childhood. They fought alongside the Thai Yai against the Burmese army.
When the Burmese army entered Palong villages and saw that the Palong had provided food for Khun Sat and the Thai Yai, they became very angry and set fire to the Palong villages, raped the women and forced the men to carry their ammunition. The Thai Yai and soldiers of Khun Sat would find refuge in the homes of the Palong creating hardship for them.
Finally, the Palong moved into Thailand along the Thai-Burmese border as refugees because of the fighting. Immense poverty resulted.
The Palong people began moving into Thailand more than 20 years ago and began waiting to obtain Thai citizenship, which has now been granted. Although they were able to escape the persecutions of their former country they met other hardships in Thailand. Because they did not have Thai citizenship they were not able to enrol in school to receive an education. Initially, they were also unable to speak Thai fluently. Living without Thai citizenship and lacking in the Thai language made it difficult, if not impossible, to find work to provide for the needs of their families.
Having obtained Thai citizenship there was still another hurdle to cross and that was finding a permanent place to live. They had no money to purchase land and build homes. This along with the lack of language skills and education produced poverty once again.
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