The Fun4Kids Project is based in the town of Khao Lak in the Phang Nga province of southern Thailand. The project has been established to improve the lives of local children, both Thai and Burmese.

There are many Learning Centres in the Phang Nga area that cater for the children of Burmese Refugees and Construction Workers.  All of these Learning Centres are in need of general maintenance and playground furniture for the children. The Learning Centres are not purpose built but are existing buildings rented from local landlords. They are not ideal to operate as Learning Centres but they are the only buildings available to the Burmese. These buildings are rented out completely empty and all are in need of some maintenance, decorating and brightening up.  The area surrounding some of these Learning Centres is bare wasteland and this is the only area the children have to play in.

All the Burmese Learning Centres are self-funding and receive no government aid. The aim of this project is to brighten up their environment and supply some play activities for them, the priority being to build playground furniture. They are run by a Burmese NGO called Grassroots Human Rights and Education and we build the playgrounds for their purposes.

This project was started by Steve Lowe and Sheila Sulley, both tsunami volunteers who came to Thailand in 2005 to help rebuild the area after the devastating wave of December 2004. Both Steve and Sheila have now been volunteering for just over two years and although their work at the Tsunami Volunteer Centre has ended they decided to stay in the area. A kind friend gave  55,000 baht to put to a worthwhile project. After looking around they decided to concentrate on children’s playgrounds as there seemed to be a shortage of ‘Fun 4 Kids’.

Once Fun4Kids started to plan to build some swings, word spread and volunteers came forward to help.  More friends began to donate and before long the funds increased and the request for playground equipment grew. Some requests have come from Thai orphanages and we are happy to oblige.

It is hoped that every school, nursery or orphanage, whether Thai or Burmese, that requests playground equipment shall get their wish (funds permitting). The greatest help has come from the Thai owner of a workshop just outside of Khao Lak who has kindly allowed us to use his purpose built workshop, free  of charge, which includes most of the power tools we need plus a secure place to store equipment. Other vital tools were kindly loaned by the Tsunami Volunteer Centre.

To date, four Burmese Learning Centres and two Thai Orphanages have been earmarked for playground furniture and with the help of volunteers, the swings are well on the way to being built and installed within the play areas. It is hoped that once all playground furniture has been installed, any extra donations will be used to brighten up the classrooms and install much needed facilities such as; ceiling fans, drinking water machines, school equipment and toys, and to carry out esential repairs and decorations.

Initially four Learning Centres and two Thai Orphanages will benefit from the playground furniture.  It is hoped (with further donations) that more Learning Centres and Schools will benefit from the generosity of volunteers and donors.

If you think you can help in any way (volunteer or donate) please contact Steve. There is no registration fee for volunteering, just come along and help the children have fun.

Contact

Contact Steve at fun4kids2008@gmail.com Telephone : Steve +66 869 499 325