Wanderlust: Expat Life & Style in Thailand December 2014 / January 2015 | Page 43
Life & Travel
THE GOOD
SHEPHERD PHUKET
The Congregation of the Good
Shepherd Sisters and their lay partners was founded in France
in the mid 1800’s. The Sisters came
to Thailand in 1965 and established
their first centre in Bangkok. They
now have over seven centres around
Thailand. The Sisters set up in Phuket
just after the Tsunami, starting with
the Vocational Centre in Patong
and slowly expanding to more projects around the island.
The Good Shepherd works
with marginalized and vulnerable
communities around Thailand,
including women, children,
and the victims of human trafficking.
They support self-sufficiency
and enhance the quality of life
to those who have been excluded
from the benefits of society.
The Good Shepherd’s Craft
and Second Hand Shop is located
at Plaza del Mar, behind Bake
in Cherngtalay. On the first floor
you will find educational toys, dolls,
puppets, paper art and greetings
cards handmade by self-help
groups in Thailand, supported
by The Good Shepherd. There
is a great selection of used books
as well. On the second floor you’ll find
second-hand clothing. Most of
the items are not more expensive
than THB 100 and are popular with
the local community and Burmese
workers who pop by the shop
to find themselves a good
bargain. All proceeds made
in the shop go directly towards
the foundation’s charity projects.
The Home of Hope provides safe,
clean accommodation and medical
assistance and pre and postnatal care
for Thai and migrant women and girls
living in the local camps. Otherwise,
many of these women might
not be able to pay for a Caesarian
or even a normal delivery at the local
hospital. This project has reduced
the infant mortality among migrant
workers in Phuket.
The Vocational Training Centre
provides proper vocational training
in massage, hairdressing, computer
skills, and English education
for women who have been forced
into trades they never would have
chosen for themselves. These women
are asked to pay a minimal, noncompulsory sum for the classes they
attend. (The small fee gives them some
commitment to finishing the courses.)
There are many other projects
set up by The Good Shepherd.
To learn more, head over to their
website.
IF YOU WANT
TO MAKE A
DIFFERENCE FOR
THIS FOUNDATION,
YOU CAN:
1. Make a cash donation;
2. Donate items in kind from their
wish list
3. Support their fundraising events
4. Purchase items from the Good
Shepherd Shop or donate items
for their second-hand store
5. Become a volunteer
6. Become a sponsor
CONTACT DETAILS
The Good Shepherd Phuket
Plaza Del Mar, Pasak-Koktanod
Road, Cherngtalay, Talang, Phuket
83110 Thailand
Website: http://www.thegoodshepherd.info
Email: [email protected]
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