[ebonytipchik]

"BAN KRU NOI" - "In the world of charitable foundations in Thailand,Kru Noi (Kru = teacher),whose full name is Nuannoi Timkul ,is the equivalent of a rock star.You wouldn't know it from looking at her,as she is a small,middle-aged lady sporting gapped teeth and an ever present smile.Over the years she has received considerable media attention for her endeavours.

Growing up in a poor family,she understood first hand the importance of opportunities and education when you just can't afford to pay for it.After suffering a stroke back in 1980 she was confined to her home where she would watch impoverished children playing and roaming the streets,with no-where to go,and not much to do with their lives.

Many of them were not allowed to attend school,because they did not have the necessary documents like house registration and birth certificates.She decided to open up her home,welcoming in these children,feeding them,teaching them to read and write,and offering guidance.

Since its inception,she has cared for over 800 underprivileged children,many of whom have parents who are imprisoned,or have abandoned them.Through her works the government has changed its stance and allowed children to attend school without documentation.Today she takes care of over 100 children from 4 - 18 years old,many of whom are in school."

The above i copied from some info i found about Ban Kru Noi.Yesterday i visited there with my wife for the 1st time,and i am so glad that i did.I know that the main aim of this website is to help people,(ieeople visiting and living in Thailand.),but i thought i would use this forum to hopefully,even in a very small way,to help out these kids.After meeting her yesterday i can honestly say that Nuannoi Timkul is a truely wonderful woman.Extremely warm hearted,a lady with a not a lot herself,who has devoted her life to kids with nothing,and will do everything she possibly can to make there lifes better.She certainly has my utmost respect.

Visitors are welcome to drop by during the daytime with any form of donation,be that food,clothes,toys,books,money or anything else (however small),and will be very warmly welcomed and received.We turned up with about 7 or 8 supermarket bags full up foods,drinks and goodies that most kids like.......about 1500 bahts worth.Look don't get me wrong i'm no saint,and i'll happily admit i don't go to these kind of places,and do this type of thing every day.Like most of us i love nothing more than doing/visiting the many fun touristy things there are to do in and around Bangkok or Thailand.But trust me if you did visit,i don't think you would find anything else as rewarding for a couple of hours of your time.Its worth it just to see the kids faces light up.

Attached you will see 2 pics of my visit.Food and drink is being handed out to the kids by the helpers there.Nuannoi Timkul is the lady sitting down in the 2nd photo.For anyone that is interested there address is "Ban Kru Noi-319 Moo 1,Soi Ratburana 26,Ratburana,Bangkok,10140."-Go on the BTS to Saphan Thaksin station next to the river.From there it is about a 10 minute taxi ride which will cost about 70 baht.For more info on this place just do a google search on "Ban Kru Noi". - http://www.moobankru.com/bankrunoi_Eng/e_menu1.html

I understand that going to or doing this type of thing isn't really everyones cup of tea/thing......just like reading this type of post,compared to some of the more intersting & excitingly titled thread headers.:-) - But in my eyes if it meant that just 1 extra person made a visit to this place,now or in the future,who otherwise wouldn't have because they read this post,then it would have been worth it.Thanks for your time everyone.