Latest News From BaanGerda
BaanGerda Sports Day
Posted by Kaew on 30th January 2008
This is the fifth sports day that the friends of ‘kaewdiary.com’ have organized for the kids of BaanGerda. We made the event so they can have the same experience as other non-infected kids.
It started one weekday when I went to BaanGerda I saw the children playing at home and not going to school. I asked “why do you not go to school ?” They answered that today is the sports day in the school and the teacher said that the BaanGerda kids should not participate. I did not know why the teachers had such a bad attitude about HIV.
My friends and I wanted the BaanGerda children to have the same happiness and excitement as the others so we organized our own sports day at BaanGerda. We did not have much money to to arrange the event but the children were very happy to take part in sport competitions, be cheerleaders etc… In the evening we staged a party and the volunteers from the website performed in funny shows for the kids. Now the teachers have more understanding of HIV and the BaanGerda children get the opportunity to take part in the school activities.
The sport event has become a tradition between Kaewdiary.com and BaanGerda and takes place in January every year for two days. The first day has the sports events and a party for the volunteers and children in the evening. The next day in the morning is a Buddhist ceremony with monks. We pray for the children who have died in the past and pray for a good life, good health and good luck.
In the afternoon we follow a Thai tradition which is called BAI-SRI (which actually means ‘lucky’ and ‘auspicious’ rice). In this ritual a little robe will connect the adults to the kids. This white robe represents a holy thread. When we connect it to the children’s wrists we bless them and wish them good health and tell them that we love them very much.
It is very time consuming and tiring to organize this sports event. In the end we know that all the trouble and pain is very worthwhile because it is for the children. At the end of the ceremony we all hug each other and say our thanks, ask for forgiveness and good spirit. We then promise to be back again for many other activities in the time to come.
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January 30th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Very impressive and the good feeling is coming over the video. Congratulations. detlev
January 30th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
This looks like it was a marvelous event. Good to see the happiness of the sports event combined with the traditions of the ceremony.
June 5th, 2009 at 8:21 am
I’ve learned a lot from this site - I hope you continue writing because I love your stuff!
September 5th, 2009 at 10:02 am
the white rope is a multi-stringed white cotton thread placed around the area of a Buddhist ceremony in Thailand connecting all the people taking part in this event (often everyone makes sure to hold a small section between the hands)and is called “sai sin” meaning the thread of virtue.