Reinforced by funds raised through the Thai-Swedish Foundation, Thai and Westerners came together in early 2005 to build two dormitories on a plot of land donated by Wat Muang Mai temple, to provide shelter for dozens of youth either left homeless, orphaned, or both, as a result of the tsunami.
The Phuket News recently went and spoke with Barrie Buck, a GM of a local security firm, Siam Guardian Services, who’s been helping raise awareness and funds to maintain and further develop Barnhem.
Although the initial idea “was fantastic”, as Barrie described, it wasn’t executed properly.
There was faulty plumbing and drainage systems; sub-optimal electrical wiring; leaks in the roof; cracks in the walls; and some of the rooms were completely uninhabitable.
The problems were not due to lack of care, but purely down to a lack of capital or the flexibility to do running maintenance caused by poor workmanship in the construction phase, Barrie explained.
Barrie, Sussi and Hans (Barnhem staff who lost children in the tsunami), Barnhem manager Khun Wow, along with several other like-minded individuals have formed a “steering committee and drew up plans to rebuild Barnhem’s deteriorating and worn down dormitories.
“There will be lots of exciting things, new safer bedrooms and a super volleyball court that kids can play badminton on if they wish.”
Many people have invested in the project Barrie explained, including a hugely generous donation from one of Phuket’s resort owners. It’s currently in the middle of the construction phase, which started earlier this month.
“The developer reckons it will be completed in around seven months,” said Barrie.“We’ve finally been able to set up a proper home, and it’s only through the generosity of people helping, and more people can still help.
“Two years ago when we first started going over there and came up with the idea, we never envisaged for this to have happened. Everything that we hoped for is starting to come together.
“The kids won’t have to worry about mosquitoes or snakes coming in. No one wants to go to bed not feeling safe.
“This will give them a safe environment that they can develop.
“We can finally see light at the end of the tunnel,” said Barrie with a smile.
Anyone wishing to get more information on the Barnhem Muang Mai project can contact Barrie at barrie@sgsphuket.com