A Better

Chance

Here visiting Soul of Life Art Workshop in Chiang Mai

The childrens first days here

I came to Thailand 7 years ago to take a break from the stresses of working as a Support Worker for Autistic Children in the UK.

I rapidly fell in love with Thailand , its people, and its culture, and so I stayed.

After a couple of years trying my hand at business I was desperate to get back to my vocation as a Care Giver.

And so The Stratton ABC Foundation was born

Stratton is my Mothers maiden name and it is from that side of the family I credit my caring qualities.

A B C

Simple , A Better Chance, with the added benefit of being synonymous with one of our core objectives , to ensure good education.

Making our gravel bicycle track around the house

There are already many Foundations doing very good work with respect to orphans,children with drug problems, street children, or those caught up in prostitution.

What I saw in my travels around Thailand, were many disadvantaged children; not orphans, not on drugs, not on the street; who get little help because their problems are not seen as “big enough”

Swimming at Huay Tung Taow, Chiang Mai

Whereas we would consider any placement request, the children that are here now come from disadvantaged backgrounds, some with serious family problems, all with problems with securing regular , quality education through lack of finances. Many from areas where their “small” problems may well have led to drugs, crime or prostitution.

We aim to prevent these futures and give a real better chance in life.

Mural at home painted by the Children with the help of local artist LiLi Tan

All our children go to local Government schools.

This gives them that important resource of making and socialisingwith friends outside the Foundation.

It also gives them independent “carers” (Teachers), if they have problems they do not want to discuss at home.

At the Foundation they then receive English Language Tuition.

They also take part in various skills promoting activities such as Art, Craft, Music and Dancing.

Every weekend they take part in regular “Work” sessions, typically 1 – 2 hours long, where they get involved with outdoor projects improving the grounds and facilities.

New paths and garden areas all done by the children

One of our core objectives is to ensure that each and every child that comes here gets the love, attention and guidance that they need.

As a small Foundation our funds also place restrictions on numbers.

We hope and believe by giving quality care and child development support to small numbers of children, then their communities will benefit in the future, and so give similar chances to many more children

The Stratton ABC Foundation has no major backers. I have put much of my own personal resources into this project, and happily so, seeing the results it is achieving.

However, I worry for the Foundations future if we do not get more support. We rely on small donors, the bigger sponsors look more at numbers than quality.

Never mind how small your donation, we do a lot for little, every donation makes a difference.

We have half an acre of land on which we hope to build a permanent facility, whilst waiting for funds to build we hope to establish an Organic vegetable

farm.

We have two Thai House Mothers, one day time, one overnight…their wages total 430 pounds sterling per month.

Our premises are presently rented….240 pounds sterling a month High School Fees for six of our children total 550 pounds for a

year We ensure healthy eating and food costs total approximately 200-

240 pounds sterling a month We transport our children to and from their school each day, this

and trips out on some weekends means a diesel cost of around 100 pounds a month

Our Child development projects need funding to buy the necessary tools and equipment.

As Founder of the Foundation I work full time free of charge. In short your donations go directly in one form or another to

giving these children A Better Chance.

As in any household there are constant needs, to give you an idea of how much your money can help. ( in pounds sterling)

Drinking water(1 week)………3.60 Electricity (1 month)………..55.00 Bedsheets (1 set) ………………9.00 School uniform ( per High school

child)………………………….70.00 School Uniform (per Primary school

child)………………………….20.00 Study support tutors for those with learning difficulties,( we need

2 but can not as yet afford),…( per month)…........50.00 Lunch money, 6 High School Students (Total for one

day)……………………………………………………….3.00 Pocket money for 4 Primary Children (Total for one

day)….................................................................................0.50 Single Mattress…………………………………………...46.00

Please consider sponsoring one of our children on a regular basis.

You can find sponsorship details on our website on the drop down list of the Donate tab, or at the bottom of the page on most new posts.

Sponsorship options run from as little as 3 pounds to 20 pounds a month.

If you have Paypal or credit card; Visit our website (www.thestrattonabcfoundation.com) and use the Donate Button.

You can also find these Direct Bank Transfer details on our Donate page;

Bangkok Bank, Changklan Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Account name The Stratton ABC Foundation

Account number 423-0-69589-4

Swift code BKKBTHBK

In four years I have watched these 10 children grow in confidence, learn critical independent thinking, develop new skills, including some amazing Artistic abilities, and just this year proudly signed one our children onto the Gifted Students Program at his High School.

Please help me keep the promise of A Better Chance alive…….Donate Now (http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/stratton-abc-one-months-funding)