The first thing I would like to do is to thank Roger Lindley for the excellent story in last month's bulletin. The story he wrote illustrated the history of the B. K. Kee Patient house, its creation by and continued support from the Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) -- much of the story I was unaware of. If you didn’t get a chance to read it last month, click here to view it on our website.
The B.K. Kee Patient House exists to provide a place where patients and their escorting family members can stay while they are waiting to be treated at hospitals in Chiang Mai, usually Suan Dok Hospital (Chiang Mai University Hospital). Most are referred from Mae Tao clinic when they have ailments that require advanced treatment. During the month of January, we had several new patients including a one-year old boy with a tumor on his right eye. Several patients with other growths and tumors including, sadly, a two-year old girl with an inoperable brain tumor. We had several patients with heart problems and a 49-year-old man with a badly burnt arm who had the first of several surgeries this month.
It amazes me how brave and happy all these patients and their family members are. They always have smiles to greet us and when we are sharing language practice there is a lot of laughter and joy.
As always, we provide some sanitary supplies and toilet articles every Sunday, bring donated clothing and a few toys, including Teddy Trekkers, made by ladies in Australia. We also bring fruit, cookies and other treats. Every week we also practice English language with the residents at the house. This entire month I am especially grateful for the talents of Rotarian Gordana Nardini from Croatia (shown left) for leading the practice. Whenever she is in Chiang Mai, Gordana works tirelessly and we always regret it when she returns to her home country each year.We also contribute to the well-being of the house by aiding in maintenance and upgrades of the house itself and its environment. We have several small improvement projects planned. Among those are the expansion of the use of safety covers for the concrete ditches around the house, some small concrete repair and caulk projects and safety railings for the new men’s bathroom.
I am happy to announce that in February the Interact Club of Chiang Mai International School, sponsored by CMIRC, will be painting the wall in front of the house. Mike Gholson, our liaison has arranged with them to bring several student members of the club to the house on February 9th for a paint party.
During January CMIRC sent BCMF 28,000 baht to cover the costs of one month of van transportation to and from Mae Tao clinic for patients. Some of this money was from three months' income from the raffle held at each club regular meeting.
Last of all, I want to thank Rotarian Frank Spiteri from Australia, Marco Michel of Switzerland, Paul Mross and Concetta Maritati of Italy for your generous donations! They will be put to good use at the House!