T-shirt Project - progress update

20 t-shirts sent to Austria for fundraising activities for Sister Joan.

Thanks Andre for all your help!

T-shirt Project - progress update

10 t-shirts were purchased and donated to St Vinnie's in Sydney to help raise further charity funds.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 31 t-shirts heading to the US for fundraising activities for Sister Joan.

Many thanks to Catherine for her help.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 29 May 2009

Photos from Sister's Milk Run on 29 May:















Thanks again to Catherine for the additional photo.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another two t-shirts on their way to Australia - thanks Claudia.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 22 May 2009

Photos from Sister's Milk Run on 22 May:

T-shirt Project - progress update

Four t-shirts sold and on their way to Australia - thanks Claudia.

Sister Joan Evans PBVM - a summary of her mission projects

The Presentation Slums Mission, Bangkok

To assist children today to help themselves and their families tomorrow.

The Education Project

The Education Project supplies children and young adults from Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok with school uniforms, shoes, socks and a bag. Many students also receive assistance with school fees, books, Insurance and camp fees. In the past three to four years the Education Project assisted over 600 students per year. Assistance is provided to underprivileged students from the age of about 3 (commencing pre-school) to undergraduate students in their 20’s.

Some students need just a pair of shoes while others require much more assistance.

Two students have been given 100% financial support thus enabling them to continue their studies without undue stress with regard to food, clothing and shelter.

The majority of students assisted through the Education Project are at Kindergarten, primary or lower secondary school levels with a growing number enrolling in Vocational and Poly Technical Schools.

Each year a small number of students opt to continue to Year 12 some of whom will in the future enter University. Up to the present at least nine students have graduated from university.

The Education Project provides an opportunity for children and young adults from Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok to gain an education which is vital if they are to come to an understanding of why they are poor and how it is possible for them to break out of this seemingly never ending cycle of poverty.

Fares and Food Project (2xf)

The Mission is concerned with the total development of each child as far as that is possible. This is an important project. The money spent helping children gain a place in school and to keep them there is of no value if the students do not have the means to travel to/from school. It's also very difficult for a student to concentrate on learning if he or she has not had anything to eat all day. Many students need to buy a bowl of rice before starting school each morning. Once in school, they often need to buy their lunch and drinking water as well.

Infant Milk Programme less formally known as: “The Milk-Run”

This is a life support for many families and runs every fortnight. "Sister Joan started this project in 1992. At first, she knew the women to whom she gave the milk and would walk to their homes. She now supplies almost 200 babies with milk at a cost in excess of 30,000 baht (A$1200) every fortnight".

The Baby-kits Project

This project provides essential items for new babies born into slum families. The baby kits contain items such as feeding bottles, nappies, baby powder and lotion, a small mattress and pillows, towels and mosquito net as well as toiletries for the mother. Often, the new mother cannot afford to buy these items.

Health Care Needs

Ailments range from the common cold, fevers, diarrhoea to more serious illnesses such as sugar diabetes, high blood pressure, various cancers, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and so much more. Many hours in any week are spent in the hospitals, local clinics and in homes too supporting the sick, their families and meeting the various needs.

Elderly Care and Support

Most slum dwellers are young to middle aged. Older people are in the minority: however, they are most certainly present. Often, they can be very poor and depressed, especially those without family. They are in need of the occasional visitor dropping in to check on them.

It is also the elderly and children who often are in most need of assistance with regard to medical care.

Family Food Pack

The elderly and the infirm are the main recipients of this project. The families included in this project are very poor, some desperately so. With the present world-wide economic problems their numbers are increasing. At times, they have no rice. They have nothing.

The Family Food Project supplies these families with basic food supplies of rice, cooking oil, noodles, eggs and fish. A family food emergency food pack costs approx. 240 Baht (A$10). At the time of writing there are 55 people, mainly the elderly receiving the rice and the food packs.

Sister Joan
14/5/2552 (2009)

Sister Joan's Family Food Project - 8 May 2009

Photos from Sister Joan's Family Food Project on 8 May 2009:

54 food packs, including 270kgs of rice.

Thanks again to Catherine for the additional photos.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 8 May 2009

Photos from Sister Joan's Milk Run on 8 May 2009:

Photo story on Sister Joan - Retired nun serves kids, elderly in Bangkok slum

A photo story on Sister Joan appears on the Union of Catholic Asian News website.

See - Retired nun serves kids, elderly in Bangkok slum.

About Sister Joan Evans PBVM

Sister Joan is a religious Sister from the Western Australian Congregation of Presentation Sisters.

Prior to her retirement at the end of 1990, Sister Joan was a Secondary School teacher in Perth.

After her arrival in Thailand in February 1991, Sister Joan spent 8 months in language training and, at the beginning of 1992, began to walk the slum areas of Bangkok.

Since that time, Sister Joan has worked in the slum area of Klong Toey, Bangkok. Through the establishment of specific projects, Sister Joan is a constant support for many families in this area.

Education is a core mission of Sister Joan. She believes there is a real need to help children and young adults to the point where they can help themselves.

One of Sister's projects, the annual Education Project, provides an opportunity for students to receive an education which is vital if they are to ultimately break out of the poverty cycle.

Sister Joan provides ongoing support during each school term through her Fares and Food (2F) Project, providing funds for breakfast or lunch and transport costs so students can get to school and not be hungry while studying.

Sister Joan also provides nutritional support for young babies through her fortnightly Milk Run Project.

Sister currently supports over 50 families in Klong Toey with her fortnightly Family Food Project, providing rice, cooking oil, sardines and fish sauce and other essential items.

Sister Joan relies entirely on donations for her mission and all money donated goes towards her projects.

For more information on Sister Joan's mission, visit Sister Joan's website.

You can read media reports on Sister here - Sister Joan media reports.

You can watch a slide presentation on Sister's mission on YouTube here - Sister Joan's mission.

You can contact Sister Joan here - Sister Joan's email.

You can also follow Sister Joan via her supporters' updates on Twitter - SisterJoan.info Twitter.


Sister Joan's website and the Supporters blog are maintained by Sister Joan's volunteer support group in Bangkok.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 24 April 2009

Waiting at Sister's truck.

Weighing one of the babies.

Sister discussing a problem.

The queue for assistance.

Another view of Sister discussing a problem.

Sister Joan's 2009 Education Project

One of Sister Joan's projects, the annual Education Project, provides an opportunity for students to receive an education which is vital if they are to ultimately break out of the poverty cycle.

Sister buys school uniforms, shoes, socks and school bags as needed for students ranging from pre-school to university.

In 2008, Sister assisted over 600 students.

These photos were taken on 18 April 2009 and show students selecting shoes and school bags.















Thanks to Catherine for these additional photos:

Sister Joan t-shirts - where are they now?

Thanks to the generosity of Sister Joan's supporters, the Sister Joan t-shirts have spread around the world, including:

• Thailand
  
• Cambodia
  
• Vietnam
  
• Hong Kong
  
• Singapore
  
• Japan
  
• Burma
  
• Australia
  
• New Zealand
  
• USA
  
• Canada
  
• Dubai
  
• England
  
• Austria
  
• Germany
  
• Italy.
  

Help us add more countries to the list!

T-shirt Project - progress update

20 t-shirts were purchased and donated to Bangkok Baby Home (Baan Nor Giank) as part of a donation drive for the Kervorkian Foundation through Samitivej Hospital.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 10 April 2009

A few photos from Sister's Milk Run yesterday.

Sister Joan Evans - T-shirt Project photos

Sister Joan's supporters have produced a range of colourful t-shirts to raise donations to help Sister continue the vital work she does each day in Klong Toey.

These t-shirts are now in many countries around the world and are provided to children in Klong Toey for some of Sister Joan's activities, such as the annual Convoy for Kids Day.

We still have t-shirts for sale so place an order today.  (See - T-shirt orders.)  T-shirts are Baht 300 each and all sale proceeds go towards Sister Joan's mission.  If you don't need a t-shirt, buy one and we'll donate it to a child in Klong Toey to brighten up their day.

Sister Joan Evans - Home Rebuilding Project

For more information on this project see - Sister Joan's Home Rebuilding Project.

Click on the photos to open the Tabblo link.

Convoy for Kids Day 2009 photos

Sister Joan's Milk Run: A nutritional lifeline for many slum residents

A recent article on Sister Joan's Milk Run from ThaiAsiaToday.com:


See - ThaiAsiaToday.com - Milk Run: A nutritional lifeline for many slum residents.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 27 March 2009

A few photos from this morning's Milk Run:

Sister Joan's art class room

The spare room of Sister's home transformed!

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 13 March 2009

Photos from Sister's Milk Run:

The queue to collect milk powder and to have the babies weighed.

Sister Joan speaks with one of the mothers.

One of the young babies.

Helpers from BAMBI (Bangkok Mothers & Babies International) weigh the babies.

Extra supplies delivered by motorbike.

A young mother and her baby.

Mothers (and some grandmothers) and their babies.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Four t-shirts were provided to Soroptimist International South Australia for use in their fundraising for Sister Joan at a function to be held next month.

Thanks for your support.

Bangkok Vets League supports Sister Joan

Bangkok Vets League goes international

Bangkok Post
20 February 2009 

The Bangkok Vets League is marking its fifth season of football for players over 35 years old by hosting a regional tournament tomorrow at Harrow School. The Vets League has had an enormously successful four years growing from the humble roots of four teams, to 20-24 team tournaments each month.

As a natural progression in the development of the Vets League, the organiser Eralp Gullep (E.G. to his many friends) decided to reach out to other veterans teams in the region and host the first international Vets League tournament called the Bangkok Veterans Classic.

This tournament aims to be different in several ways to other tournaments in the region. In recognising that there has been a trend over recent years for tournaments of this nature to be very competitive and increasingly commercial, the organising committee decided to baulk that trend and put on a tournament that combines good value and a little philanthropic endeavour.

The tournament will be a non-profit event with any revenue over and above the costs going to a local charity. The Bangkok Vets League has chosen to support Sister Joan who has been working within the slums of Khlong Toey for over 15 years, supporting families with food, fares and education expenses amongst other projects.

More information can be found at Sister Joan's website - http://www.sisterjoan.info/.

See - Bangkok Post - Bangkok Vets League goes international.

Australian Embassy helps Sister Joan with her milk run project

Australian Embassy Bangkok press release:

Australian Embassy helps Sister Joan with her milk run project


The Australian Embassy Bangkok recently provided funding for Sister Joan’s milk run project.

Sister Joan, a religious Sister from the Western Australian Congregation of Presentation Sisters, has been working in Bangkok’s Klong Toey slum area since 1991. Her tireless efforts focus on helping community members with their basic needs through the provision of food, education and healthcare.

The funding of Baht 120,000, made available through the Australian Embassy Discretionary Fund, helped Sister Joan to supply milk formula for over 120 babies through her fortnightly milk run project.

“Without the supply of nutritious food for the babies in their very first year, it is difficult for them to grow up healthy both physically and mentally,” said Sister Joan.

In the past the Australian Embassy has also provided funding to Sister Joan for her Education Project. This project helps to supply children with school uniforms, bags and books to assist them with receiving an education.

The Australian Embassy Discretionary Fund is part of Australia’s overseas development assistance program. The emphasis of the program is on alleviating basic humanitarian hardship through small grants to community groups and NGO’s engaged in development activities in Thailand on a not-for-profit basis. 

For information on the Fund, please visit - www.thailand.embassy.gov.au/bkok/DAP0708.html.

See - Australian Embassy helps Sister Joan with her milk run project.

For the Thai language version with photos - see - Australian Embassy helps Sister Joan with her milk run project.

Bangkok Veterans Football League fundraiser for Sister Joan

20 to 22 February 2009 - Harrow School, Bangkok

Bangkok Veterans Football League - Bangkok Veterans Classic International Tournament

Swiftly heading towards its 5th season, to commemorate this milestone anniversary, Bangkok Veterans League invites you to its inaugural international tournament, fondly called "Bangkok Veterans Classic".

The Vets League has developed from its humble 4-team beginnings to today's 24-team tournaments held month-after-month. As a natural extension, we would like to expand the fun-&-joy to an international level starting from 2009.

Any revenue over and above the costs of holding the tournament will be donated to Sister Joan Evans PBVM.

See - Bangkok Veterans Classic International Tournament.

Convoy for Kids Day - Sister Joan Evans interview

At the Convoy for Kids Day on 25 January 2009, Sister Joan was interviewed by Dr. Valerie McKenzie from Morning Talk.

This interview was aired on 30 January.

The link to this program is here - Sister Joan interview.

Sister Joan's segment is from 6 mins 48 secs to 9 mins 25 secs.

If this link does not work, go to Morning Talk on demand - and click on the link for the program on 30 January.

Sister Joan Evans - AngloINFO Bangkok listing

AngloINFO Bangkok has provided a listing on their website for Sister Joan's mission.

See - AngloINFO Bangkok - Sister Joan Evans.

Many thanks to Gavin and AngloINFO Bangkok for their support of Sister Joan's work.

Sister Joan Evans Milk Run - 30 January 2009

Photos from this week's Milk Run:

Convoy for Kids Day 2009

The annual Convoy for Kids Day outing was held on 25 January 2009. This was the revised date for the outing in November 2008 which was postponed.

Sister Joan was invited to attend with families from the slum communities whom she assists.

Everyone enjoyed a wonderful day at Siam Ocean World and the Royal Thai Air Force Museum and everyone received a Sister Joan t-shirt as a souvenir of the day.

Thanks to the organisers of the Convoy for Kids Day for allowing the children from the slum communities to attend and enjoy such a unique experience.

T-shirt Project - progress update

30 t-shirts were donated for the annual Convoy for Kids Day held in Bangkok on 25 January.

Everyone looked great in the shirts!

Sister Joan Evans - Helping the Urban Poor

Music composed and performed by Katie Goodman
Recorded by Nicholas Woodford
Copyright © 2009

This presentation was prepared for Sister Joan in 2008. Special thanks to Katie and Nicholas for the accompanying music and to Genevieve Bulluss for co-ordinating this. (Katie may be contacted at katie goodman.)

Milk Run faces - 16 January 2009

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 16 January 2009

Photos from Sister's Milk Run on 16 January:

Sister Joan's Family Food project - 2 January 2009

Photos from Sister's purchase and distribution of food packs on 2 January:

Purchasing supplies at Tesco Lotus.

Packing the food into bags for distribution.

That's almost 250kg of rice in there!

Mid-afternoon distribution.

The main distribution point - near Sister Joan's home.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 2 January 2009

Photos from Sister Joan's Milk Run on 2 January:

Warning - email scam

Please ignore any email purporting to come from Sister Joan Evans PBVM which asks you to send money to England, including via Western Union or Moneygram.  This is a scam and should be deleted.

The email address for Sister Joan on her website has been changed from milkrun44@hotmail.com to milkrun44@gmail.com.

If you have any questions, you can email them to milkrun44@gmail.com or sisterjoantshirts@gmail.com.

Thanks.

Sister Joan's Family Food Project - 19 December 2008

Each fortnight, Sister Joan distributes food packs to the needy in Klong Toey.

Each pack includes a 5kg bag of rice, cooking oil, sardines and fish sauce.

These photos were taken on 19 December as Sister Joan and helpers organised and then distributed the food packs.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 5 December 2008

Photos from the Milk Run earlier today.

CNN iReport - Sister Joan Evans PBVM

Sister Joan Evans: Fighting poverty in Bangkok’s slums

Sitting in Sister Joan’s home on a Tuesday afternoon is an eye-opening insight into human need. One by one, children, teenagers, mothers and fathers line up at her door in the Klong Toey slums. She gives them fifty baht here, one hundred baht there – for bus fares or lunch money or medical expenses. By the time she closes her door, perhaps a hundred have been helped, sometimes more. And this is just two hours out of her week.

Sister Joan Evans is a familiar name to many expatriates living in Bangkok. Some know her through her “milk run”, which provides new mothers with milk powder each fortnight; others through her educational projects, which put slum children through school. And yet these represent a fraction of the myriad tasks she might need to accomplish on any given day.

You might find her ferrying a sick slum resident to hospital, helping a recently retrenched Port worker find employment, or visiting someone whose house has been demolished. The range of social issues she deals with is extraordinary. Her days are long and exhausting, but after she returns home her door is still always open.

With need all around her, it’s not easy to decide whom to help. Students are a priority but everyone’s case is judged on its merits. Sister Joan asks for receipts and other documentation to establish the legitimacy of a request and sometimes she’ll ask the person to return when she has more time to deal with their problem.

At times Sister Joan’s approach may seem tough. She’s willing to help students get into university and pay their tuition providing they work hard. If they don’t, then let them go – there are others who are eager to take their place. Those who try to con Sister Joan are less likely to be helped, with her decision often being based on her gut feeling. Yet, she greets each request with the same degree of fairness and compassion. And when she doesn’t have the money to help, she’ll try to find it.

Her core mission is to help slum dwellers break out of the poverty cycle. It’s a vital effort. By assisting the unemployed to find work, she gives them a chance to support themselves and their families. Without her help, there is often very little alternative. For slum residents, there’s no safety net - no unemployment benefits or severance pay and, quite often, no extended family to provide support.

The most important part of this mission, in her eyes, is educating the slum children – the surest long-term path to self-sufficiency. Before each school year, Sister Joan can be found at the local market bargaining over school uniforms, shoes and bags. With over 600 children relying on her this year, every baht counts. But enrolling children into school is only the first step. Keeping them there can be a constant battle against family needs, financial pressures and a multitude of social obstacles. Many drop by the wayside; but still more continue. Those that persevere are often at the top of their class, some continuing on to university.

Helping just one slum resident break out of the poverty cycle is a victory. But it is a victory achieved in small increments, on many fronts, at critical points in time. It is Sister Joan who provides support at those critical times. Whether it’s paying for a uniform so a young man can start his cleaning job, buying a Skytrain pass so a young girl can get to school or giving rice to someone who has none, Sister Joan makes a difference.

How you can help.

Sister Joan’s donation philosophy is simple – a little bit of money goes a very long way.

Sister Joan Evans PBVM
Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok
PO Box 28, Kluai Nam Thai PO
BANGKOK THAILAND 10115
W: http://www.sisterjoan.info/

Helping the youth in the slums of Bangkok today, to help themselves tomorrow ...

(Article first published in Advance, Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce Magazine. Updated and reprinted with author permission.)

See - CNN iReport - Sister Joan Evans PBVM.

Sister Joan t-shirts available at Soi 8 pub in Bangkok

Dave at the Soi 8 Pub on Sukhumvit Soi 8 in Bangkok has kindly offered to sell Sister Joan t-shirts.

He currently has a supply of t-shirts in large and XL sizes. They cost Baht 300 each and all proceeds go towards Sister's mission.

The website for the Soi 8 Pub is here - Soi 8 Pub Bangkok.

Drop in and buy a t-shirt.

How t-shirts help in the fight against poverty

Sister Joan Evans, an Australian religious sister, lives and works among the poor in the Klong Toey slum area of Bangkok.

Her efforts assist the underprivileged in many ways, including providing assistance to young mothers through Sister’s fortnightly “milk run” and the help she offers many children and young adults through her education support programs.

Sister Joan’s supporters have produced a range of colourful t-shirts to raise donations to help Sister continue the vital work she does each day in Klong Toey.

Designed by British artist Karen Wightman, the t-shirts represent a semi-abstract view of life in the slums and the help offered by Sister Joan. The t-shirts, available in four designs, cost 300 Baht each with a range of sizes suitable for children and adults.

If you don't need a t-shirt, you can donate 300 Baht (or more!) and one of the t-shirts will be given to a child living in the slums. Imagine how that will brighten their day!

All proceeds raised from the t-shirt project go to support Sister Joan's work in Klong Toey.

For more details, see Sister Joan’s website (www.sisterjoan.info) or email to SisterJoanTshirts@gmail.com.

Sister Joan Evans PBVM
Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok
PO Box 28, Kluai Nam Thai PO
BANGKOK THAILAND 10115
W: www.sisterjoan.info

Helping the youth in the slums of Bangkok today, to help themselves tomorrow …

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another two t-shirts heading to Canada.

Thanks Terry.

Sister Joan Evans presentation - October 2008

Sister Joan Evans fundraiser - Wanneroo WA - 25 October 2008

Sister Joan Evans - discussing a baby's health

Klong Toey - 3 October 2008

Sister Joan Evans - Sydney presentation - 12 October 2008

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL SYDNEY invites you to a FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON to be held at Mary McKillop Place, Mount Street, North Sydney on Sunday, October 12, 1 pm

Cost: $45 Includes champagne, 3 course luncheon, wine, Thai cultural dancers, mystery prizes

Guest Speakers:

Sr Joan Evans PBVM

Will talk about her work in the slum areas of Bangkok, supporting families through her Family Food Project. She believes that education is the key to alleviating poverty.

Helen Hutchins

SI Project Liaison Officer co-ordinates a long term Soroptimist project Hands Across Borders working to improve conditions in Sampovloun, Cambodia.

All proceeds to Sr Joan’s work in Bangkok and Hands Across Borders.

Further details - see - Soroptimist International Sydney Fundraising Luncheon.

Sister Joan's Family Food Project - 3 October 2008

Each fortnight, Sister Joan distributes food packs to the needy in Klong Toey.

Each pack includes a 5kg bag of rice, cooking oil, sardines and fish sauce.

These photos were taken on 3 October as Sister Joan purchased and then distributed the food packs.

Purchasing rice and cooking oil

Selecting fish sauce

Packing the food packs in the back of Sister Joan's truck

A detour - to deliver recyclable material to a lady Sister Joan helps

Distributing the food packs

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirts heading to Australia.

Thanks Tracey.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - Photo Tabblo

Sister Joan's fortnightly 'Milk Run' provides milk formula and powdered milk for young mothers in the Klong Toey slum communities.

How you can help

Sister Joan’s donation philosophy is simple – a little bit of money goes a long way.

Donations can be made online (via PayPal), by cheque or by direct bank deposit – see www.sisterjoan.info for details. Offers of volunteer help are also welcome.

See - Sister Joan's Milk Run

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 5 September 2008

Photos from yesterday's Milk Run:

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 22 August 2008

A few photos from yesterday's Milk Run in Klong Toey:

Venue 1 - near Sister Joan's home in Rong Muu.

Sister greets one of the young babies.

The Milk Run distribution point - Sister Joan's truck.

Venue 2 - Suan Ooy.

The line up for powdered milk.

The Milk Run card system.

Updating the cards to show which mothers have received assistance.

Sister Joan holding a young baby.

Milk Run faces - the babies and their carers

Images from Sister Joan's Milk Run - 22 August 2008

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 8 August 2008

It was a wet morning in Klong Toey for this morning's Milk Run.

Sister Joan mentioned that umbrellas are rarely needed for the Milk Run. During Bangkok's wet season, it often rains at night (or in the afternoons) but is mainly clear during the mornings. The Milk Run starts around 7:00 am.












The rain made it necessary to find as much cover as possible as the milk powder was distributed.

As usual, there was a large turnout of young mothers and babies, showing how vital Sister's Milk Run project is in Klong Toey.

Sister Joan Evans website update

A number of recent media articles have been added to Sister Joan's website.

Just click on the Sister Joan in the News link on Sister's website.

Photos from Foreign Minister Smith's meeting with Sister Joan

See - AusAid website - Minister Smith's meeting with Sister Joan.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs visit - Smith meets 'Slum Sister'

Reprinted from Daily Xpress:


Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith talks to Sister Joan Evans near her home in the Klong Toei slum last week. (Photo - DFAT)

Smith meets 'Slum Sister'

By Jim Pollard
Daily Xpress
Published on July 9, 2008

Australia's new foreign minister Stephen Smith had an unusual request for embassy officials organising his first trip to Thailand last week.

As well as meeting Surin Pitsuwan, who is set to take the reins at Asean, and his counterpart Noppadon Pattama, he wanted to see the Slum Sister.

It's not often that foreign dignitaries visit Klong Toei, Bangkok's biggest slum, down by the Chao Phya. But Smith was determined to meet the 76-year-old nun whose work with the poor has won her a small amount of fame in Perth, where both he and the nun hail from.

Sister Joan Evans has lived and worked in Klong Toei since 1992, helping to feed and educate slum dwellers and their children.

Smith was accompanied by Ambassador Bill Paterson, whose term in Bangkok ends today. Paterson, who is heading back to Canberra, has been a popular envoy. He's also a huge fan of the little Perth nun.

Smith's visit was a quick show of support and encouragement - much appreciated by the elderly nun, who receives regular donations from expatriates in Thailand, the embassy, plus supporters in West Australia.

House slipping into river

Asked how he could help, the Perth nun told the minister she's been struggling for years to get tax deductibility for Australians who donate to her work. That sounded achievable, but the second problem had Smith, who appeared to enjoy the visit, stumped. Literally.

"My home is slipping into the river," the nun said, with a grin.

"I see," said Smith, turning to his adviser. "See what we can find out about help for Sister's house, ah ... to stop it slipping into the river."

Her small shack - and some attached to it nearby - has developed a dangerous slant, and needs foundation support.

Xpress - Smith meets 'Slum Sister'

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 20 t-shirts heading to Austria.

Thanks André for co-ordinating sales in Austria.

T-shirt Project - Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs receives t-shirts

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, was given two Sister Joan t-shirts as a thank you for his visit on 3 July to Sister Joan's house in Klong Toey.

Minister Smith proudly displays one of the Sister Joan t-shirts.

Minister Smith and Sister Joan

Thai-Australia Partnerships Provide Assistance to the Needy

Media release by Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP:

The Hon Stephen Smith MP
AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Media release
4 July 2008

Thai-Australia Partnerships Provide Assistance to the Needy

I had the opportunity this week to visit two great examples of collaboration between the people of Thailand and Australia. Both underscore the strength and depth of bilateral relations between our two nations.

I visited Professor Praphan Phanuphak at the Thai-Australian Collaboration in HIV Nutrition (TACHIN) project. The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre and the Sydney-based Albion Street Centre deliver the TACHIN project in partnership. The Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University is a collaborating partner.

The TACHIN project aims to use improved nutrition to enhance the care of people living with HIV/AIDS. TACHIN is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) – $600,000 over three years – through the Australian HIV/AIDS Partnerships Initiative.

As HIV affects metabolism and increases the need for nutrients and energy, good nutrition is of paramount importance for those with HIV. Adults living with HIV have 10 to 30 per cent higher energy requirements than adults not affected. The energy requirements of HIV positive children are up to 100 per cent higher than otherwise healthy children.

I also visited the Mission of Sister Joan Evans, an outstanding Western Australian who has worked tirelessly and compassionately to improve the lives of underprivileged children and adults in the Klong Toei slum area of Bangkok since 1992.

Sister Joan, formerly a secondary school teacher, helps children from the slum receive a good education by providing uniforms, food and necessary funds. Sister Joan also supports new babies and mums, the elderly and the seriously ill.

The Australian expatriate community in Bangkok has been a longstanding supporter of Sister Joan’s projects. For example, in 2007-08 alone, the Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group (ANZWG) donated 100,000 baht (A$3,700) and raised a further 110,000 baht (A$4,070) through a “Pie Drive” project.

The Australian Embassy Bangkok made a 100,000 baht (A$3,700) contribution to help buy school uniforms for children in slum communities. The Australian Embassy Defence section arranged a “spare change” drive, raising 30,000 baht (A$1,110) for Sister Joan’s projects. In 2006, the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce helped 45 kids visit a Safari Park.

See - Thai-Australia Partnerships Provide Assistance to the Needy.

T-shirt Project - Cyclone Nargis relief donation

100 Sister Joan t-shirts were recently purchased and donated to assist with relief efforts for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma.

These photos show the t-shirts being packed ready to be taken to the Irrawaddy Delta.

These photos show Ahsikalay - a village to the east of Bogale in Burma. Only a few buildings remain standing in this village.




Thanks to Indochina Services for co-ordinating distribution of the t-shirts.

T-shirt Project - Austrian supporters

Thanks go to several recent buyers of Sister Joan t-shirts in Austria:

10 t-shirts - Lebenshilfe Vorarlberg: Working project for disabled teens - Margot

2 t-shirts - Heinrich

4 t-shirts - Daniela.

Thanks for your support.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 4 t-shirts heading down to Australia - again to NSW. Thanks Jim and Tor.

Sister Joan Evans - A Lifeline for Bangkok's Slum Communities

This article appeared in the June 2008 Advance magazine, published by AustChamThailand - the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Many thanks to AustChamThailand for their continued support of Sister Joan's mission.

This article will added to the media section of Sister Joan's website.

Western Australia t-shirt orders

Debbie Singh and Sue Moors in Western Australia have kindly offered to co-ordinate sales in Perth and Bunbury.

Both have supplies of Sister Joan t-shirts ready to deliver. If you would like to order one of the Sister Joan t-shirts, please contact them at DebandSueTshirts@gmail.com.

All proceeds from the sale of Sister Joan t-shirts are donated to assist Sister in her work with the underprivileged in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok.

UPDATE - an ad for Sister Joan T-shirts recently appeared on the Move and Buy Thailand website. The person who placed this ad using the email address strawberry_fiesta@yahoo.com has no connection to the Sister Joan T-shirt Project and people interested in buying Sister Joan T-shirts should only use the email contacts listed on this Blog. Thanks to Move and Buy Thailand for promptly removing this ad.

Sister Joan t-shirts - where are they now?

Thanks to the generosity of Sister Joan's supporters, the Sister Joan t-shirts have spread around the world, including:

Thailand

Cambodia

Vietnam

Hong Kong

Singapore

Japan

Burma

Australia

New Zealand

USA

Canada

Dubai

England

Austria

Germany

Italy.

Help us add more countries to the list!

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another two t-shirts heading to Austria as a thank you to two youth centres who have helped raise funds for Sister Joan.

Thanks for your support!

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt heading down to Australia - this time to NSW.

Thanks Jim and Tor.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Two t-shirts heading to Sydney as a thank you to Darin and his family for their support of Sister Joan's work.

Thanks Darin.

T-shirt Project - progress update

20 t-shirts heading to Austria.

Thanks André for co-ordinating sales in Austria.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 100 t-shirts sold!

These t-shirts have been sent to Burma as part of relief efforts for those affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Klong Toey housing

These photos of housing in Klong Toey were taken on 24 May 2008.

Daily Xpress article - Our lady of the slums

This article by Jim Pollard appeared in the Daily Xpress:

Our lady of the slums

By Jim Pollard
Daily Xpress
Published on May 19, 2008

An Aussie nun is busy buying school uniforms for hundreds of children from the Klong Toey slum. April and May is usually the busiest time of year for Sister Joan Evans, the Aussie nun who has devoted the second half of her life to helping the poor in the Klong Toey slum.

And this year is no exception. The queues of needy people - and other hopefuls looking for a handout - lining up outside her shack in Rong Moo, the Slaughterhouse community popularised by Father Joe Maier, are as long as ever.

But her main task now is new school uniforms for slum kids - a project dear to the heart of the Perth nun, now in her mid-70s, who worked for 40 years as a high-school teacher and headmistress. "Education is the key to these kids having a better future." She has said that too many times to count since her arrival in Bangkok in 1991.

She's got a familiar routine these days. Several times a week she and three Thai assistants meet about 30 slum kids at a small shop at the Klong Toey market, where she gets a good deal on bulk purchases.

Education Project

The children are fitted for new uniforms and shoes - two shirts and two pants for boys, two skirts and two blouses for girls, plus socks, shoes (at a separate store) and a bag.

The start of the school year is a major financial burden for many poor families and Sister Joan's attitude has been to try to do whatever she can to keep the kids in school - even if it means paying their transport and food costs, plus sundry other household expenses.

Last year, at least 602 children from under-privileged families benefited from her "Education Project", which spent more than Bt412,000 buying uniforms and shoes at an average cost of just under Bt700. In 2006, her outlay was Bt435,000 for 604 children.

Reliant on donors

This year, the figure may be slightly smaller, but she is still reliant on donors. Major supporters last year included the Australian Embassy and the Australian and New Zealand Women's Group.

The beneficiaries of her extraordinary work are a vast multitude of busy ordinary people; often single working mothers, grateful that their daughter or son has been able to secure a job or a place at university when too many around them have fallen into drug dealing, sex work and other sad tales of woe.

MORE ON THE WEB:
www.sisterjoan.info

See - Daily Xpress - Our lady of the slums.

Sister Joan Evans - A lifeline for Bangkok’s slum communities

by Edward Dever

For over 15 years, Sister Joan Evans has helped the underprivileged in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok.

A Presentation Sister from Perth, Sister Joan lives in Klong Toey among the people she helps. Her mission helps the poor and mainly the very, very poor - people who would otherwise have very little opportunity in life.

Sister’s days are often long and filled with tough decision-making. But she takes it all in her stride. Whether it’s providing food to those who have nothing to eat, paying for a child to get to school or ferrying the sick to hospital, Sister Joan helps those in need.

Three of Sister Joan’s major projects are highlighted below.

Milk Run Project

Sister Joan provides milk formula to young mothers in Klong Toey.

Over 15 years, this project has evolved into a fortnightly event at two locations in Klong Toey and currently assists approximately 120 young mothers. Sister Joan operates the Milk Run with the assistance of volunteers from the Australian and New Zealand Women’s Group (ANZWG).

It costs approximately 30,000 baht (A$1,000) each fortnight to provide this often lifesaving help.

Education Project

Sister Joan believes there is a real need to help children and young adults to the point where they can help themselves. Her Education Project provides an opportunity for students to receive an education which is vital if they are to ultimately break out of the poverty cycle.

Each year, Sister Joan provides school uniforms, shoes, socks and bags to hundreds of underprivileged children and young adults in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok, enabling them to attend school or university. Students receiving assistance age between 3 (starting pre-school) and 22 (attending university) with the majority at primary or lower secondary school. Without Sister’s assistance, it is unlikely they would be able to gain an education.

It can cost as little as 700 baht (A$23) to provide a student two school uniforms, shoes, socks and bag.

Fares and Food Project

Sister Joan recognises that the money spent helping children get into school or university is of little value if the students do not have the means to get there. It's also very hard for students to concentrate on learning if they have had nothing to eat.

During each term, Sister Joan provides weekly assistance to needy students enabling them to travel to and from school or university and buy either breakfast or lunch. This assistance is vital if these students are to obtain an education.

How you can help

Sister Joan’s donation philosophy is simple – a little bit of money goes a long way.

Funding for Sister Joan’s projects comes from donations and all donations go to help those in need.

Donations can be made online (via PayPal), by cheque or by direct bank deposit – see www.sisterjoan.info for details. Offers of volunteer help are also welcome.

Sister Joan Evans PBVM
Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok
PO Box 28, Kluai Nam Thai PO
Bangkok 10115 Thailand
Website: www.sisterjoan.info

Sister Joan's 2008 Education Project - more photos

Click through to see all the photos.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt sold - this time heading down to Sydney.

Thanks Claudia

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 9 May 2008 - more photos

Click through to see all the photos.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - 9 May 2008

Photos from Sister Joan's fortnightly Milk Run taken earlier today:

Sister Joan's 2008 Education Project ...

Sister Joan is in the middle of her annual Education Project, buying school uniforms, shoes, socks and bags for underprivileged students in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok.

These photos were taken at the Klong Toey market in Bangkok earlier today.

More soon!

T-shirts - adults

T-shirt sizes - adults

A number of people have asked for the t-shirt sizes.

Here they are:

Adult small - approx. 42cms across the shoulders by approx. 63cms length

Adult medium - approx. 46cms across the shoulders by approx. 67cms length

Adult large - approx. 51cms across the shoulders by approx. 70cm in length

Adult XL - approx. 54cms across the shoulders by approx. 79cm in length

T-shirts - childrens

T-shirt sizes - childrens

Child small - approx. 37cms across the shoulders by approx. 59cms length

Child large - approx. 40cms across the shoulders by approx. 61cms length

Please note that these sizes do fit some adults in Thailand.

Recent fundraising activities in the UK

Many thanks to Christine in the UK for co-ordinating fundraising at her school which has raised over £1000 for Sister Joan.

Thanks also to Jim and Flic for raising awareness of Sister Joan's work and their fundraising efforts.

See - Jim and Flic's World Adventures - Sister Joan and Bangkok.

Good luck with your travel plans!

Convoy for Kids Day 2007 photos

The annual Convoy for Kids Day outing was held on 25 November 2007.

Sister Joan was invited to attend with families from the slum communities whom she assists.

Everyone enjoyed a wonderful day at Safari Park and everyone received a Sister Joan t-shirt as a souvenir of the day.

Thanks to the organisers of the Convoy for Kids Day for allowing the children from the slum communities to attend and enjoy such a unique experience.

Click through to see all the photos.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 20 t-shirts sold - this time heading to the US. Thanks Catherine.

Sister Joan - Wikipedia entry

The Wikipedia entry on Sister Joan and her mission can be found here:

Wikipedia - Sister Joan Evans PBVM.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - a visitor's perspective

An excerpt from an interesting blogpost written by Misty, a volunteer at the Mercy Centre, who visited Sister Joan's Milk Run:

Sister Joan delivers powdered milk to mothers in need here in Klong Toi. She supports mother with babies up until 12 months. We met her committed team of volunteers, who were all women from Australia and New Zealand. We had wonderful morning with them and joined them for lunch at Sister Joan’s house, where we the most delicious ham sandwich that I had ever eaten.

See - Sister Joan's Milk Run.

An article on Austrian and Swiss fundraising efforts for Sister Joan

This article appeared in the Swiss press (translation is below).

Many thanks to André for his fundraising efforts!

GoZ ■ Nr. 3, 18. January 2008

Gossauer Jugend sorgt für Essen und Bett

André Brandl vom Gossauer Jugendsekretariat in einer der Hütten, diemit PVC-Boden und Schlafmaterial ausgestattet worden sind.

Spenden für Hilfsaktion in Bangkok

GOSSAU Engagierte Besucher des Gossauer Jugendsekretariats setzten sich einmal mehr für Kinder in Thailand ein. Zusammen mit zwei Jugendhäusern in Vorarlberg resultierten rund 5100 Franken für Hilfsaktionen in Bangkok.

Bereits zum dritten Mal haben sich Jugendliche aus Gossau für arme Kinder in Thailand eingesetzt. Diesmal schlossen sich auch zwei Jugendhäuser aus Vorarlberg dem Projekt des Gossauer Jugendsekretariats an.

Milch für Kleinkinder

Mit einer Benefizparty im Gossauer Jugendsekretariat und aus verschiedenen Aktionen von zwei Jugendhäusern in Vorarlberg kamen rund 5100 Franken zusammen. Diesen Betrag hat André Brandl vom Jugendsekretariat Gossau vor Ort übergeben oder eingesetzt.

Unterstützt wurde ein Projekt einer australischen Ordensschwester in den Slums von Bangkok. Eines der wichtigsten Projekte von Schwester Joan ist «Milkrun», welches Kleinkinder von meist HIV-kranken Müttern mit Babynahrung versorgt. Das Engagement der Jugendlichen aus Gossau und Vorarlberg machte es möglich, etwa 120 Kilo Babymilchpulver an die Mütter abzugeben.

Wellblechhütten eingerichtet

Weiter wurden Schuluniformen und Schuhe gekauft für Kinder und Jugendliche aus bedürftigen Familien. In den Slums von Bangkok leben sehr viele Familien in Wellblechhütten ohne Boden. Einige Familien erhielten aus den gesammelten Spendengeldern einen PVC-Boden in ihren Hütten. Zudem wurden ihnen Schlafmatten, Decken und Kissen überbracht und sie wurden mit Lebensmitteln versorgt.

Glücklich über sinnvolle Verwendung

Mirjam Bernet vom Gossauer Jugendsekretariat erklärt: «Die Jugendlichen aus Gossau sind glücklich über die sinnvolle Verwendung des Geldes. Sie sind zudem zu Recht stolz darauf, was junge Menschen bewegen können, wenn sie gemeinsam an einer Sache arbeiten.» sk.

Translation

GoZ ■ Nr. 3, 18. January 2008

Gossauer young are taking care of food and shelter

Andre Brandl of the Gossauer Office for Youth is in one of the houses furnished with PVC flooring and sleeping materials.

Donation for Charity Project in Bangkok

Committed visitors to the Gossauer Centre for Youth have once again supported children in Thailand. Together with two of the youth centres in Vorarlberg, they collected 5100 Swiss Francs for charity projects in Bangkok.

This is the third time that youths from Gossau have supported poor children in Thailand. This time two youth centres from Vorarlberg joined the Gossauer Youth Centre project.

Milk for Children

The Gossauer Youth Centre collected approx. 5100 Swiss francs from a charity function and several other projects organised by the centre. The amount was handed over by Andre Brandl from the GYC.

Funding supported a project in the slums of Bangkok run by an Australian religious sister. One of the most pressing projects of Sister Joan is the so-called Milk Run which supports children with baby food, including for HIV mothers. The GYC were able to distribute about 120kgs of milk powder to mothers.

Furnishing slum houses

Further, they organized school uniforms and shoes for children and youths for families in need. Many families live in slum housing without flooring in the slums of Bangkok. Some families received PVC flooring for their homes. In addition, blankets, mats and pillows together with food items were donated.

Delighted with the useful donations

Mirjam Bernet of the GYC said that the youth of Gossau were delighted with the donations and the distribution of the money. She was especially proud of how young people could make a change if they worked as a team.

(Translation by Marc Sievert - thanks Marc!)

Sister Joan t-shirts - where are they now?

New countries include Vietnam, Italy, Austria and Germany.

Help expand the list of countries with Sister Joan t-shirts.

Order one today!

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt sold - this time in Bangkok.

Thanks Narisa

T-shirt Project - progress update

We sent a t-shirt to André in Austria as a thank you for his fundraising efforts.

You can read about his fundraising here - An article on Austrian and Swiss fundraising efforts for Sister Joan.

Sister Joan's newsletter

Sister Joan's December 2007 newsletter is now available on her website.

See - Sister Joan Evans - December 2007 newsletter.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt sold - this time in Bangkok.

Thanks Jim.

T-shirt Project - progress update ...

Another 10 t-shirts donated to the children in Klong Toey.

Thanks Marian.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 5 t-shirts sold in Bangkok with one donated to the children in Klong Toey.

Thanks Sarawan.

Milk Run photos

These photos were taken at Sister Joan's Milk Run on 7 December 2007.

T-shirt Project update

We are running low on these designs in the Adult large size with the design on the front of the t-shirt.





We still have plenty of the large size with these designs on the back of the t-shirt and all other designs and sizes.




Order today!

Only 300 Baht per t-shirt.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 15 t-shirts heading to Tokyo.

Thanks Ray for co-ordinating sales in Tokyo.

Sister Joan's Milk Run - Milk for Free

An interesting blogpost written by CJ, a volunteer at the Mercy Centre, who visited Sister Joan's Milk Run.

See - Milk for Free.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt heading overseas - this time to Germany.

Thanks Annelie.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 18 t-shirts heading to Tokyo.

Thanks Ray for co-ordinating sales in Tokyo.

Convoy for Kids Day 2007

The Convoy for Kids Day outing to Safari World was held on Sunday 25 November.

Sister Joan was invited to attend with families from the slum communities whom she assists.

A few photos have been added. More soon.

Trying on the t-shirts

Queuing at the Safari World entrance

A wave to the camera before starting the day.

Group photo

Enjoying the day

Thanks to the organisers of the Convoy for Kids Day for allowing the children from the slum communities to attend and enjoy such a unique experience.

T-shirt Project - progress update

34 t-shirts were donated to those attending the Convoy for Kids Day.

Everyone looked great in the shirts!

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 3 t-shirts heading to Italy - the first Sister Joan t-shirts in Italy!

Phuket Plus TV program - A Unique Pie Drive for Charity

To view the Phuket Plus program on the Sister Joan Pie Drive, go to the Phuket Plus website, click on Archives, scroll through the program list until you find Week 34 (Sat 14 April) and click play.

The Pie Drive is the first segment (from 0.55 seconds to 14 mins 30 seconds).

The segment also includes sections on the T-shirt Project and Sister Joan's Milk Run.

Phuket Plus TV program transcript - A Unique Pie Drive for Charity

A transcript of the Phuket Plus program is now available on Sister Joan's website.

See - Phuket Plus - A Unique Pie Drive for Charity.

A few excerpts:

GENEVIEVE BULLUSS: The pie drive came up over Christmas. I still hadn’t organised to get the pies yet and so asked her could we do it as a fundraiser. I had been working with Sister Joan a little bit and I knew she always needed money. Her big aim is to get the children out of the slums and into school.

SISTER JOAN EVANS: This is going towards education, education of the children, who are all very poor. It may contribute to the uniforms but, on the other hand, it will most probably go into books and school fees and even fares and food that will enable them to go to school every day.

ROD MCNEIL: Sister, can we say that this is an all Australian effort?

SISTER JOAN EVANS: I think it is an all Australian effort.

.....

ROD MCNEIL: It certainly is. Sister, you’ve been working to this same end for a long time now, haven’t you, in Bangkok?

SISTER JOAN EVANS: I have. I’ve been working with the children for 15 years now.

ROD MCNEIL: I suppose when people get to hear of your work, they really want to assist if they can.

SISTER JOAN EVANS: I think so. They seem to be moved by the fact that particularly children are being educated and given an opportunity. And they are the children of the poor and mainly the children of the very, very poor. Children that otherwise would get very little opportunity.

.....

ROD MCNEIL: One regular appointment comes on a Friday and it’s a great help to some of the young mothers in Klong Toey. Babies arrive by the armful.

Sister Joan’s supporters, usually from Australia and New Zealand, are there ready to assist with the record keeping as well as helping fund the supply of milk formula, mainly through their organisation, the Australian and New Zealand Women’s Group. The atmosphere is both friendly and helpful and life-supporting.

What’s it costing to set up a truckload like this to give away on one morning?

SISTER JOAN EVANS: A truck load of this would be about 24,000 baht - 25,000 baht.

ROD MCNEIL: Is that how much is here this morning?

SISTER JOAN EVANS: That’d be right, yes.

ROD MCNEIL: That’s quite a lot to give away in one morning isn’t it?

SISTER JOAN EVANS: It is. It is.

ROD MCNEIL: Has it taken a lot of organisation to get this flowing in a proper manner?

SISTER JOAN EVANS: Well, it’s grown. To begin with, I used to carry the milk, just in a bag. In a bag - to the mums, two or three and then four and five. That goes back to about 1992, 1993.

ROD MCNEIL: So then you devised this system where they would come here.

SISTER JOAN EVANS: We’ve had various venues. They come every two weeks. I can’t afford milk every week. We had a book one year, a big exercise book. We’ve had other sorts of cards other years. But now we’ve come down to this.

ROD MCNEIL: So you’ve really got a proper record of what’s going on, haven’t you?

SISTER JOAN EVANS: Yes, we have and we need that because people donate the money for the milk and it needs to be spent properly.

.....

Copyright 2007
Phuket Plus
Capital TV Group

T-shirt Project - progress update

Two t-shirts heading to Vietnam - thanks Staffan.

Google custom search engine added

We have added a Google custom search engine to the side bar of the blog.

This will allow you to search the content of both the Supporters Blog and Sister Joan's website.

Education - An Investment in Thailand's Future

This short article on Sister Joan's Education Project appeared in the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce's Advance Magazine (November 2007).


Sister Joan Evans: Education - An Investment in Thailand's Future

by Edward Dever

On an April morning, you’ll find Sister Joan Evans sitting on a bench at the Klong Toey market in Bangkok scribbling numbers in her notebook. Enduring temperatures in which many would wilt, she calmly collates the morning’s purchases. School uniforms for 45 children, shoes for 30, school bags for 15.

Each amount she records represents an investment in Thailand’s future.

Sister Joan’s annual Education Project enables underprivileged children and young adults in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok to attend school or university. Students receiving assistance age between 3 (starting pre-school) and 22 (attending university) with the majority at primary or lower secondary school. Without Sister’s assistance, it is unlikely they would be able to gain an education.

Education is a core mission of Sister Joan. She believes there is a real need to help children and young adults to the point where they can help themselves. Her Education Project provides an opportunity for students to receive an education which is vital if they are to ultimately break out of the poverty cycle.

During April and May this year, Sister Joan provided school uniforms, shoes, socks and bags for over 600 students at an average cost of 685 baht (approx. A$25) per student. On any particular day, Sister may outfit between 10 and 50 students. It’s an enormous task but also an important one. Getting these students into school and university is vital if they are to achieve their potential. And if high grades on report cards and graduation ceremonies are a benchmark, then Sister’s work is indeed a success.

Special thanks to:

• DFAT and the Australian Embassy in Bangkok who donated 100,000 baht from their Discretionary Fund towards this year’s Education Project.

• the Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group (ANZWG) who also donated 100,000 baht.

The remaining funds for this year’s Education Project were provided by donations from supporters of Sister Joan’s Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok.

How you can help

Sister Joan’s donation philosophy is simple – a little bit of money goes a long way.

Donations can be made online (via PayPal), by cheque or by direct bank deposit – see www.sisterjoan.info for details. Offers of volunteer help are also welcome.

Sister Joan Evans PBVM
Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok
PO Box 28, Kluai Nam Thai PO
Bangkok 10115 Thailand
Email: milkrun44@hotmail.com
Website: www.sisterjoan.info



Click here - Education - An Investment in Thailand's Future - for a pdf version of this article.

How you can help

If you want to make a donation to assist Sister Joan with her work in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok, you can do so via PayPal.

Just click on the button below.

You can find out more about donating to Sister Joan from the Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok website.

See - Sister Joan's website - How you can help.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 6 t-shirts sold - this time in Bangkok.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 15 t-shirts heading to Perth to raise funds for Sister Joan.

Thanks Debbie.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 60 t-shirts heading to Japan to raise funds for Sister Joan.

Thanks Ray.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt heading up to Hong Kong.

Sister Joan - supporting the needy

These photos were taken in June 2007.

Following the Milk Run, Sister Joan will visit Tesco Lotus and buy rice, eggs, cooking oil and other necessities for the needy in Klong Toey.

She will spend the afternoon distributing these items in the Klong Toey slum community.

Milk Run photos

We have added some photos of Sister Joan's Milk Run taken by Genevieve Bulluss in May 2007.

Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok website update

Sister Joan's Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok website has now been updated.

See - Sister Joan's website.

Many thanks to Ben Moller for his creative skills and time!

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirts sold. These will be heading down to Australia - thanks Sarawan.

ANZWG Bangkok Guide

ANZWG - the Australian-New Zealand Women's Group - has produced a new 17th edition of the highly successful Bangkok Guide - see - ANZWG Bangkok Guide.

ANZWG kindly provided a free 1/4 page advertisement in the Guide to highlight Sister Joan's mission.

The members of ANZWG also provide a variety of assistance to Sister Joan, including all their hands-on assistance with the Sister's fortnightly Milk Run.

You can buy your copy of the Bangkok Guide in Bangkok at Asia Books, Villa Markets, Kinokuniya bookstores and Bookazine.

Many thanks to ANZWG.

2007 Education Project photos - Part 1

Click through to see photos from Sister Joan's 2007 Education Project - purchasing school uniforms for the students at the Klong Toey market.

View the Education Project Tabblo

2007 Education Project photos - Part 2

Click through to see photos from Sister Joan's 2007 Education Project - purchasing school shoes and bags for the students at the Klong Toey market.

View the Education Project Tabblo

2F Project day

Some of the people buying Sister Joan t-shirts ask that they be donated to children in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok.

Yesterday, Sister Joan gave away 30 t-shirts to students attending the 2F (Fares and Food) Project.

Further t-shirts will be given to students at future 2F Project days.

Photos from the 2F Project day - 28 August 2007

Donated t-shirts - 2F Project day

Each Tuesday afternoon during the school term, Sister Joan runs her 2F (Fares and Food) Project.

This project assists with transport costs and food money so that children and young adults are able to travel to school or university and buy either breakfast or lunch.

As part of the t-shirt project, donors have been able to buy a t-shirt and donate the shirt to a child in the slums.

On 28 August, Sister will hand out some of these donated t-shirts to the students attending her 2F project.

Sister Joan t-shirts - where are they now

Help expand the list of countries with Sister Joan t-shirts.

Order one today!

Japan sales

An initial order of 10 t-shirts has been sent to Japan.

Email us - sisterjoantshirts@gmail.com - if you live in Japan and would like to buy a t-shirt.

Thanks to Ray for his support of Sister Joan's work.

Photos from Sister Joan's Milk Run on Friday 24 August 2007

For more details on the Milk Run see - Milk Run details.

T-shirt thank you

A set of t-shirts was provided to the journalists and crew from Australia's 60 Minutes on their recent trip to Bangkok.

Once the date of the airing of Sister Joan's interview with 60 Minutes is known we will provide details.

Photos from Sister Joan's 2F (Fares and Food) Project

Each Tuesday afternoon during the school term, Sister Joan runs her 2F (Fares and Food) Project.

This project assists with transport costs and food money so that children and young adults are able to travel to school or university and buy either breakfast or lunch.

Further details on the 2F Project are set out on Sister's website - Fares and Food Project.

The Nation article - some of the problems in Klong Toey

This article was provided to us by Jim Pollard of The Nation.

Boom in teenage mothers in crowded Khlong Toei

Punnee Amornviputpanich

The Nation 23-5-07

At just 18 Waew is heavily pregnant with her third child and has no idea how her family is going to get by without any income or security in life.

"My husband has been out of work for five months already," the young woman said.

Waew said she had to borrow money from other people every day to feed her family.

"Life is so difficult that I don't know how to put it into words," she said.

Waew is not the only teenage mother haunted by hunger and an uncertain future in Bangkok's crowded Khlong Toei community.

Seventeen-year-old Money had to leave school in grade 10 because she got pregnant last year.

Now in the seventh month of her pregnancy, Money knows that the Bt6,000 a month her boyfriend earns from selling SIM cards will hardly be enough once their baby is born.

"I must admit that I am worried," she said.

The Kluay Nam Thai Hospital located near the Khlong Toei community has registered 161 pregnant teenagers in the past five months.

"Some of them are addicted to alcohol, cigarettes and drugs," said hospital gynaecologist Kongsart Deeniran.

The hospital has seen a steady rise in the number of teenage pregnancies in recent years: 101 in 2004, 192 in 2005, and 207 in 2006. All of them were younger than 18. The increase has caused concern among socialworkers.

Nittaya Phromporboonchuen, head of the Duang Prateep Foundation's community development division, said many teenage mothers had no idea how to raise their children.

"When these children are left on their own, they risk being led astray," she said.

According to Nittaya, a survey conducted in the Khlong Toei community found that up to 2,000 young children there had been lured into the drug trade.

"Because of broken families or other family problems, so many children in this community have been trapped in a vicious circle of drugs, glue-sniffing, liquor addiction, methamphetamines and sexual promiscuity," she said.

Boom in teenage mothers in crowded Khlong Toei

Sister Joan's Milk Run

A photo taken at Sister's Milk Run this morning.

For more details on the Milk Run see - Milk Run details.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 50 t-shirts sold with 12 heading down to Australia and 38 donated to the children in Klong Toey.

Thanks to Kerry and her fellow supporters!

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 10 t-shirt sales - this time heading to the UK.

Thanks Christine.

Debbie Singh's website link

You may have read Debbie Singh's book "You'll never walk alone".

Debbie is a great supporter of Sister Joan's work in Klong Toey and co-ordinates Sister Joan t-shirt sales in Perth.

You can read more about Debbie Singh at her new website - here.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 10 t-shirts sold - thanks Chris!

T-shirt Project - progress update

7 t-shirts donated to the children in Klong Toey - thanks Narisa!

Sister Joan t-shirts - Bangkok buy 2 get 3 promotion

We are having a buy 2 get 3 promotion for Sister Joan t-shirts in Bangkok during July and August.

Buy 2 of these great t-shirts and we'll give you a third one free.

If you don't need the extra one, we'll donate it to a child in Klong Toey.

Order today!

T-shirt sales - Bangkok outlet

Next month we hope to be able to announce details of a shop in Bangkok where Sister Joan t-shirts can be purchased.

Orders can still be given by email.

Stay tuned!

2007 Education Project photos ...

Click the links to tabblo.com for photos of Sister Joan co-ordinating the purchase of school uniforms, shoes and bags at Klong Toey market in Bangkok as part of the 2007 Education Project:

- 2007 Education Project - Uniforms.

- 2007 Education Project - Shoes and Bags.

These photos will be linked to Sister Joan's website - www.sisterjoan.info - shortly.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 3 t-shirts heading to New Zealand - thanks Phill and Adrienne.

T-shirt Project - progress update ...

Three t-shirts heading up to Hong Kong - thanks Lis and Steve.

Brisbane Courier Mail article on Sister Joan's Mission

Our lady of the slums

By Leisa Scott

April 14, 2007

The hungry dogs of the Slaughterhouse slum slink about on their early morning scavenge, sniffing at rotting plastic bags and every woman arriving to join the queue.

The women barely notice them, shifting their babies from one hip to the other and focusing on the gold four-wheel-drive parked 30 metres away.

Mangy dogs, opium addicts sprawled on the concrete, the stink of sewage and monsoonal rains are part of daily life in these slums. But the boot of the gold truck is only revealed once a fortnight.

The truck's owner is moving about at the top of the line, her attitude reflected in her no-nonsense outfit: garden variety short-sleeved shirt, black skirt, sturdy shoes and a small silver cross around her neck. Sister Joan Evans welcomes the women Thai-style, putting her hands together at her chest and bending her stout body forward. "Sawasdee-ka," she says to the line of mothers and grandmothers.

Their tense faces break into smiles. Life is tough in the slums of Bangkok, home to one-fifth of the city's six million residents, but this Catholic nun offers a small helping hand in the hard slog of survival. Every second Friday morning, at the edge of the dirt and gravel road, there are kind words from Sister Joan (even if the Australian expatriate gives the Thai language a mangling) and about $A1000 worth of milk formula in the back of her 4WD.

Breast may be best, but not when the mother has HIV, is too malnourished to produce milk or has to go to work straight after childbirth to put food on the table. In those cases, a newborn in the slums is lucky to be fed the foamy water in which rice has been boiled. Sister Joan recognised this years ago and started walking to the homes of a few new mums and giving them milk powder. Today, they come to her - all 100-odd of them.

For the full article, see - Courier Mail - Our lady of the slums.

Where are they now (update)

So far, Sister Joan t-shirts have been sent to generous supporters of Sister Joan and her mission in the following countries:

- Australia - Qld, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Cambodia
- USA
- Canada
- England
- New Zealand

and, of course, Thailand.

We still have plenty of t-shirts on the current print run and can offer quick delivery in Thailand or overseas.

All proceeds raised from the t-shirts go to assist Sister Joan in her mission in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok.

2007 Sister Joan Pie Drive

UPDATE!

11 April 2007

The Pie Drive is now over.

The second round of the Pie Drive was also an outstanding success.

In total over 100,000 Baht has been raised for Sister Joan from the Pie Drive.

See here - Pie Drive photos - for photos from the pie collection on 2 April.

A summary of the Pie Drive will appear shortly on Sister Joan's website - www.sisterjoan.info.

Thanks to all those who made the Pie Drive a success, particularly Genevieve and Susan.


2007 Sister Joan Pie Drive

Available to everyone in Bangkok (and nearby), the 2007 Sister Joan Pie Drive will raise vital funds for Sister to continue her work in Klong Toey and other slum communities in Bangkok.

Details of the Pie Drive:

Delicious hot pies made with fresh ingredients and covered with a flaky pastry. The BEST pies you have ever tasted! The Lady Pie Bakery and Restaurant, located in Phuket, is run by Susan “Lady Pie” from Australia. As a special favour to us in Bangkok, Lady Pie has agreed to provide her delicious pies to raise money for Sister Joan Evans PBVM and feed our cravings for top quality pies, including meat pies, pot pies, sausage rolls and desserts. Guaranteed to please!

Each pie sold will raise up to 50 baht for Sister Joan:

100 pies will provide:

* 1 child’s school fees for the year
* 12 families’ dinner
* 200 children’s school bus fares

1000 pies will provide:

* Milk for 120 babies
* Uniforms for 120 school kids
* Lunch for 120 school kids for a month

Your donation helps Sister Joan continue her work.

Ordering:

Order and pay before February 23 for pick-up between February 26 and 28 (1-4pm) at the British Club Bangkok. NOTE: Round one is now finished.

Round 2: Order and pay before March 30 for pick-up between April 2-4 (1-4pm) at the British Club Bangkok. NOTE: Round two is now finished.

Please note - you must collect your pies from the British Club in Bangkok.

For an order form and pricing, please send an email to: sisterjoanpies@gmail.com

Please order. Enjoy some great pies and help Sister continue her work.

Pie Drive photos - 2 April 2007

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirts sold. Thanks Bryan and Rod.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirts sold. Thanks Jim!

T-shirt and Pies stall at the Combined Women's Group Lunch at the Dusit Thani Hotel on 8 March 2007

T-shirt donations

3 t-shirts were donated to the Pie Drive as an incentive to increase pie sales. With some impressive orders at the Combined Women's Group lunch today, it seems to have worked!

2 t-shirts were also donated to today's Combined Women's Group lunch - as a raffle prize.

T-shirt Project - progress update

9 t-shirts sold at the Combined Women's Group function at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok today.

Thanks to the organisers of this event and thanks to those who bought t-shirts.

T-shirt Project - progress update - 100 t-shirts sold

Another 100 t-shirts sold!

A big thank you to Khun Nanit for her support of the Sister Joan t-shirt project.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 10 t-shirts sold with 8 donated to the kids in Klong Toey.

Thanks Jerry and Suchart.

2007 Sister Joan Pie Drive order form

T-shirt Project - progress update - 64 t-shirts sold

Another 64 t-shirts sold!

Many thanks to Debbie Singh for her efforts.

Debbie is pictured (above) presenting the proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts to Sister Joan in Bangkok on 18 January.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirts heading down to Brisbane.

T-shirt Project - running total so far

We have updated the blog to show t-shirt sales and donated t-shirts so far - currently at 421 with more sales to be confirmed shortly.

We still have plenty of t-shirts left on this print run.

They look great and all funds raised go towards Sister Joan's projects in Klong Toey, Bangkok.

Thanks to everyone who has bought a t-shirt so far.

T-shirt Project - where are they now?

So far, t-shirts have been sent to generous supporters of Sister Joan and her mission in the following countries:

- Australia - Qld, NSW, Victoria and Western Australia
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Cambodia
- USA
- Canada
- England

and, of course, Thailand.

T-shirt project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirt sales - with the t-shirts donated to the kids in Klong Toey.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 5 t-shirts sold - this time heading to Brisbane.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirt sales - this time in Bangkok.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt heading down under - this time to Sydney.

T-shirt Project - progress update

10 t-shirts heading to Australia - thanks Kevin.

Karen Wightman's website

The Sister Joan t-shirts were designed by English artist Karen Wightman (pictured at a Milk Run morning).

Karen donated her time and expertise to create the beautiful set of designs which capture aspects of life in the slum community in Klong Toey and the help offered each day by Sister Joan Evans.

Her t-shirt designs bring smiles to the faces of all the children who wear them!

You can view Karen's website here - Karen's website.

Thanks to BK Magazine

BK Magazine in Bangkok has recently run a classified ad (at no charge) in their magazine advertising the Sister Joan t-shirts.

Thanks for your support.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 3 sales - this time in Bangkok.

T-shirt Project - progress update

22 t-shirts were sold today (including 3 donated to children in Klong Toey) at the ANZWG Members Xmas Party held at the Australian Embassy.

Many thanks to Sister Joan and Kathy Barnett for co-ordinating these sales.

Bangkok Marathon 2006

Two t-shirts were given today to Richard Onslow and Derek Ayres from England as a thank you for their recent fund raising efforts.

Richard competed in the 2006 Bangkok Marathon on Sunday 26 November. He completed the course in 4 hours and 10 mins, with he and Derek so far raising 38,000 Baht for Sister's mission in Bangkok.

Richard is pictured (above) presenting the funds raised to Sister Joan in Klong Toey earlier today.

Many thanks to Richard and Derek for your support of the Presentation Slums Mission Bangkok.

Convoy for Kids Day 2006 outing

65 t-shirts were provided for the children (and accompanying parents) who attended the 2006 Convoy for Kids Day outing to Safari Park today with Sister Joan.

The children who visited the Park came from the Sapaan Khwaen slum community near the Rama IX bridge in Bangkok as well as several children from the Klong Toey slum community where Sister Joan lives.

Everyone enjoyed a wonderful day at Safari Park and everyone has a t-shirt as a souvenir of the day.

For more information on Convoy for Kids Day see - Convoy for Kids website.

For more photos of the day see - Convoy for Kids day photos.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 6 t-shirts sold in Australia.

T-shirt Project - progress update

1 t-shirt on its way to New South Wales. Thanks Teena.

T-shirt Project - progress update

5 t-shirts on their way to Perth. Thanks Carissa.

T-shirt Project - progress update

5 t-shirts on their way to the US and 5 more donated to the kids in Klong Toey. Thanks Catherine!

T-shirt Project - progress update

16 t-shirts sold in Perth - Thanks Debbie!

T-shirt stall at the ANZWG function at the Novatel Hotel on 13 September 2006

T-shirt Project - progress update

9 t-shirts sold at the ANZWG function at the Novatel Hotel in Bangkok, including 2 t-shirts donated to children in Klong Toey. Thanks to everyone at the ANZWG for organising this event and thanks to those who bought t-shirts.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirt sales - thanks Nick.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 3 t-shirts - this time heading to Singapore - thanks Michelle.

T-shirt Project - progress update

4 t-shirt sales at the rugby at the Soi 8 pub - thanks to Lynda, John and Dane.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirts - this time heading to the USA - thanks Catherine.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 3 t-shirts heading to Australia - thanks Amanda.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another five t-shirts ordered - thanks Finola.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt - this time heading to Brisbane for young Charlie.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another t-shirt sold - thanks to Khunying Bhisabadh for your support.

T-shirt Project - progress update - donated t-shirts

So far, 28 t-shirts have been donated to children in Klong Toey.

These t-shirts have been given to Sister Joan who will arrange for them to be distributed to the children.

Once again, thanks for your support!

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 5 sales - this time in Bangkok

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 5 t-shirts - this time heading down to Sydney - thanks Scott (these will be on their way to you shortly)

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 2 t-shirts - heading down to Australia - thanks Maryanne.

T-shirt Project - progress update

We have updated the blog to show t-shirt sales so far - currently at 231 with a few more orders to fill.

We still have plenty of t-shirts left on this print run.

They look great and all funds raised go towards Sister Joan's projects in Klong Toey, Bangkok.

Thanks to everyone who has bought a t-shirt so far.

T-shirt Project - progress update

A farewell purchase for the staff at Asia Pacific Potash Corporation - 14 t-shirts.

T-shirt Project - progress update

One t-shirt - another heading to Canada.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Thanks to Law Plus, a law firm in Bangkok, who purchased t-shirts for their firm outing - 14 t-shirts.

Let us know if you want t-shirts for your next company outing - we can supply on short notice.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Thanks to the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce who invited us to sell t-shirts at their Commonwealth Chambers Sundowners function at the Sukhothai Hotel this evening - 20 t-shirts.

T-shirt Project - progress update

Thanks Cadia - two t-shirts (including a t-shirt donated to a child in Klong Toey)

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another two t-shirts - this time in Canada. That's the farthest t-shirt destination so far.