Yesterday I arrived at Hope Home to a very warm welcome to begin our first project.

It’s wonderful to see Joys big smile again.

First I say hello to all the children and staff before being shown where I will be staying for the next 2 weeks by my two new friends  .

Introducing Natalie and Don, two very special friends of Raising Hope and Joy. Eager and excited to help me paint during my time here, a piggy back home seemed only fair.

Back to the main house for a bit of dancing and singing before warm milk and bed.

I potter around the corner to Hope Home two, a respite home for older children with disabilities. Even after just ten days travelling a wonderful room where I can hang my tightly rolled clothes, a family dinner and great nights sleep is just a joy.

Today, Saturday, Judy and I go to buy paint for the sensory room, white, golden yellow and night blue should be enough to create a relaxing night scene. Some walls will remain white in the hope that we raise enough money to buy light and sound sensory equipment that will enable these children to have a relaxing space.

Here is another ‘creative space’ their garden, the playground recently re painted by volunteers.

Don is so excited about the festival of light this weekend, that we create some of our own lanterns for decoration.

Wichai loves to draw and joins in with making lanterns

Time to relax in the shade.

Introducing Phil, amazing what a little foot tickling can do, sorry Phil I just couldn’t resist……

Before I begin the room, a rather tired caterpillar was in need of a little attention……and hey, I am a woman with time so the caterpillar gets a scrub!!

Don can barely wait until dark and as we let off our own lanterns into the sky, a candle for joy and glowing wrist bands make for our very own festival of lights.

 Natalie uses her remote control phone to give you all a call to say thanks for your support. I send a message asking if you could please afford a little donation to help us build these children a sensory room, a lot of people giving just a little can enable such a lot to happen.

This is just a snippet. I am finding my own feet here, spending time with the children and staff, taking in a change of scene and a new pace of life. You do not rush in Thai culture, people, fun, love comes first.  As the next two weeks evolve what Raising Hope and Joy is all about will unfurl within my blog.

Until then, Raising Hope and Joy sends you all a little light……