New year and we decided to kick off our tour close to home and attempt all the orphanages up to Khao Lak on the scooter.We set off with the bag of circus tricks and a small bag of clothes to visit places set up after the devastation of the Tsunami. Now they deal with children from poor families and orphans. We visited Baan Home, Life and Baan Than Nam Chai and Yaowawit School with the help of friends who. if they hadn’t shown us the way, we might still be lost on the country roads! Than up to Ban San Fan where again they grow their own food, make coconut oils and soaps. Note to any hotels out there who might want to trade and get organic, local products.

Next up to Nakhon with the help of Charlie’s Childrens Charity from Khanom. They introduced us, visited with us and even took some lovely video footage. On to Surat Thani and Felix village where we had some after school fun before having to chase the last bus back to Krabi because we had left so late we nearly missed it!

Back to the west coast and Phuket. With help from Childwatch Phuket we visited the prison school of Lungpitak, it teaches kids whose parents are in the prison and local construction workers who if Burmese aren’t allowed in the Thai schools. Our last stop here was Sunshine village on the island of Sirai.

Now down to the deep dark south where few visitors go from all the bombings but still home to a many abandoned children. Pattani girls’ home was the first, where all the girls live in harmony no matter what religion they are, proving hate can only be taught, you certainly aren’t born with it. We jumped into the local taxi, an old Mercedes, at least in style through all the checkpoints to Yala. Here we only had 5 kids as it was a private orphanage for those escaping abuse. For us it doesn’t matter if there are 5 or 500, if it’s still appreciated and makes them smile it is all worthwhile.

Our last foray into the south was back to Phuket and our first introduction to the SOS Children’s Villages. Gorgeous kids who after our show, treated us to a music recital.

Great end to the south with 26 visits and now over 2000 happy, smiling children.