Freak storm damage to Children's dormitories

From Bobby

I just returned from a trip into China with my wife and upon our arrival, com to find out there was a freak accident that came into Chiangmai and it seems has blown off and cracked the tiles on the boys and girls dorms as well as the dinning hall-kitchen here at the Tribal Children's Hostel in Chiangmai.  

After assessing the damage to the three buildings, it seems that due to the age of these roofs, (they are very brittle asbestos like tiles used from 30 years ago) there is no way of just replacing half of the tiles.  As soon as anyone gets up there on the roof, it is going to cause more damage.  So, we are at a loss as to what and how to repair this.  

I called a builder friend who came over and inspected the roof today and he said we will have to replace the whole roof.  It doesn't seem to be any structural damage but the roof is sagging and all the tiles will have to be replaced!  Yikes! He said we have to do something with the big holes immediately or could anticipate the whole ceiling collapsing as well.  So, I'm at a loss.  I wasn't expecting something like this now.  We are about 3-4 weeks till school starts and all the kids will be returning to the Hostel.  

This is  an urgent SOS request for assistance in repairing these roofs.  The following is the estimated costs:

Boys Dorm: Tiles = 1,650 x 55.- Baht =   90,750.-

Girls Dorm: Tiles = 1,960 x 55.- Baht = 107,800.-

Dining Hall: Tiles =     990 x 55.- Baht =   54,450.-

Staff Quarters: Tiles =    840 x 55.- Baht  =   46,200.-

Screws/nuts: Pieces = 5,440 x   5.- Baht =   27,200.-

Labor Costs: Tiles = 5,440 x 15.- Baht =   81,600.-

   Total Baht  = 408,000.- @ exchange rate of 34.-baht/US$

Total USD$ = $12,000.-

The contractor said we will need to replace some lumber beams but we do have old lumber from when we had to tear down the Church building so I'm pretty sure we can use that to cover that need.

So, the total urgent need is going to be US$12,000.-  The US dollar and the construction material prices have not been stable, however I will go down to the construction warehouse and lock the price in immediately once I hear from you. This has taken us by total surprise and we are at a loss as to what to do.   We seem to be talking about other people's needs all the time and we never or at least seldom expect things like this to happen to ourselves.  Well, it has struck us and now we are totally going to have to be dependent on you.  So, I do hope and pray that we will be able to get some good news soon from you.  It's just that we have so short a time to get all this repaired before the rains come (and they are coming soon) and most pressing is that the kids will be returning soon as well!  

So, would appreciate all your help.

Oh, by the way, I just got an email from our guys in Rangoon who I sent in to purchase and distribute the rice seeds and rice for food and they just returned this past Saturday.  It was successful and they were able to make the distribution to 500 families.  They also took a lot of pictures and videos so when my rep comes this Friday, he will be bringing all the reports and pictures and videos.  Thank you so much.

We want to ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers.

I was going to write another email but I might as well just include it in this email concerning the ongoing and continuing needs for the Nargis Cyclone victims of the Delta of Southern Burma.

The time has now come to begin plowing the Paddy fields again and we are needing assistance from IDES and others on this matter as well.  We are hoping to begin plowing in May and this year hope to plow approximately 8,000 acres of paddy fields if the funding could be secured.  The needs are as follows:

1. Diesel for plowing 8,000 acres @ 1 gallon per acre x $3.- per gallon  = US$24,000.-

2. Transportation costs for 160 barrels of Diesel @ $25.-/barrel = US$  4,000.-

3. Purchase 2 additional Tillers @$1,250.-  = US$  2,500.-

4. Lumber/Thatch/Cement for building workers quarters x 5 @ 1,250.- = US$  6,250.-

Total = US$36,750.-

As for the cost of the Diesel and transportation we don't need it all at one time.  This could be divided and sent twice as we will be needing this amount during May and June.  As for the workers quarters, our people were in little shacks this last year and they really suffered.  At times they felt the people they were helping had it better than themselves, the volunteers and it was very hard on them.  So, we feel it is important to try to build some quarters for our volunteer staff to stay in while assisting the victims of Nargis.  We also really need these two additional tillers to complete the goal of plowing 8,000 acres of paddy fields this year.

Last year we came across some very needy and orphaned kids that were victims of Nargis and so brought them into Rangoon at the time that the military were rounding up orphaned kids to take them to the military bases of Nepyitaw, the new Capitol of Burma where the military was going to educate them and care for them.  We also heard of tales that the military were simply going to take these orphans and children victims of Nargis and care for them and yes even educate them but then in a couple of years as the kids grew a little older, the military were going to force these kids to serve in the military as kid soldiers.  So, we had tried to save these kids and so brought them out of the danger zone and provided them with shelter/food/clothing/healthcare/education-books and supervision and oversight and most importantly love and care. Well, the new school year is upon us and our people in Rangoon are asking can we care for them another year?  If so, we need help.  

At present, we have them in a temporary shelter in Rangoon.  The shelter is a thatched roof, bamboo wall half dirt half cement floor shack.  We provide three meals per day and provide supervision and care for these kids.  It costs approximately US$1,000.- per month or US$12,000.- per year to care for these kids.  I If we cannot secure funds, we will have to return them to their communities and that would be a shame.

I know I have put forth a number of projects here to you and I just hope God will give you the wisdom and ability to help out in these various projects.  I know you must be receiving many requests like these daily.  So, as usual, I am herewith leaving it to you and the Lord and His people to decide what you can and what you can't help out on.  Sometimes I feel guilty asking like this but feel compelled to do so on behalf of these needs.  

Again, thank you so very much for all your help and assistance and will be praying for you all for wisdom and discernment.  May God richly bless you all in all your endeavors and efforts to help the needy.  Thank you so much.