Here’s the room I am to paint. I suddenly feel very small. I know I am very small, but you know what I mean!

Walking into an empty Hope Home with the children at school, my first question is have I bitten off more than I can chew? Surely just that face deserves a beers worth of a donation.

 But in my mind I envisage in the future this won’t be just me, at the moment Raising Hope and Joy is a mere seedling but by beggining it has the chance to grow, so here we begin.

A quick facebook plea for support gives me instant strength, thank you friends.

Coffee and strawberry jam crackers also do the trick, thank you Judy.

The only way is just to start. This maybe the first time in decorating that I scrub and sand, my brother would be proud as I am normally slap dash. But this I am giving time, care.

It is a shame to cover Dons masterpieces, he likes to draw plugs, you can never have enough plugs! But white walls on this side of the room will be ideal for projecting pictures on to.

Just as I think how dissatisfying the first coat always is I hear a ‘wow!’ from behind me, thankyou Don for the instant energy boost.

We spend a little time reading the news papers, a welcome break.

The wonderful thing about anything creative is that even though I don’t speak Thai it doesn’t matter, this is a language we all know, a member of staff joins me with a paint brush.

I have great helpers to clear up…..

Time for a little music and a look at our photos before I leave.

Not a bad days work, time to put myself under a hose. I know there are so many charities in need of funding right now due to the crisis, but these children and so many are always in need, I hope you can spare a little or sell a cake or two.

As ever I shine a light.

X