Times Advocate, 1994-03-09, Page 8Page 8
Times -Advocate, March 9, 1994
CQMMLThI!TX
Thailand proves rewarding experience
By Catherine O'Brien
T -A staff
EXETER - Many Canadians en-
joy getting away to a hot place for
at least a few weeks during the win-
ter. Jinn and Dorothy Chapman are
no exception. But their trip to
Thailand in November was more
than a holiday getaway - it was a
way to help needy children.
The trip was their first as volun-
teers for the organization, Sleeping
Children Around the World. And
during the two-week stay in Thai-
land, they were involved in the dis-
tribution of 5,000 hedkits to chil-
dren.
"We really got a
sense of the people
and the country," said
Dorothy. "We feel
like we have accom-
plished something."
The hedkits given to
the children are to
provide a bit of com-
fort while they sleep
and protect them for
the elements. Usually the kits in-
clude items such as an insulated
groundsheet, blankets, mosquito
netting, pajamas, a sweatshirt and
other personal items like toothpaste
and soap - about 20 items in each
kit.
"People come from miles for the
kits. Sometimes travelling for
more than four hours on foot," said
Dorothy.
The $30 kits are manufactured
and assembled locally in the coun-
try of distribution. This gives peo-
ple in such countries an opportunity
to be employed.
"Every dollar donated goes di-
rectly to the kits," Jim said. He
said volunteers who travel to the
many underdeveloped and develop-
ing countries pay their own way.
As well, local volunteers from
church groups and organizations
such as the Rotary Club and Lion's
Club, identify the children who are
in need of the kits. Volunteers such
as the Chapman's help distribute
the kits and take pictures of the
children who receive them. The
photos are then sent to the people
who donated money
for the kits.
Since the organiza-
tion was started 24
years ago, volunteers
have travelled to 26
countries such as
Bangladesh, India,
Philippines, Colum-
bia, Ecuador, Hondu-
ras, Sri Lanka, Mo-
zambique and most
recently to Thailand.
The Chapman's said Thailand is a
mix of rich and poor although a
middle class society is beginning to
emerge. And while many of the
cities are filled with modern busi-
nesses, elaborate temples and pal-
aces; there are also shack towns
visible along side.
"Poverty is evident in cities," Jim
said.
But the couple didn't spend all of
their time in the city, the Chap -
man's along with three other volun-
"We travelled
to parts of the
country we
would never
have seen as
tourists."
Your Views
Letters to the editor
teers in their group, also journeyed
by riverboat to a somewhat remote
refugee settlement close to the Bur-
ma -Thai border.
In this area, they distributed 1,800
kits to children who are part of the
Karen refugee settlement. Chapman
said these people have been waiting
Dorothy and Jim Chapman display some of the items they
helped distribute during their volunteer efforts with Sleeping
Children Around the World.
Cash reward offered
"Hit and run
a serious charge"
Dear Sir:
To the person who struck the Cainaro in the Exet-
er Arena parking lot on Friday, February 1 I th at
around 6:30 p.m.
This is just a note to make you aware of the im-
pact your little act of carelessness and irresponsibili-
ty had on my like and the life of my girlfriend who
just happens to be the owner of the car. As one
might deduce from the appearance of the car, we are
hardly what one mieht refer to "financially secure".
Bearing this in mind, it should not come as a shock
that there was no collision insurance coverage on
the car, and now thanks to you, there is no longer
any comprehensive coverage either! Nor do we
have the seven hundred dollars to repair the damage
your little "accident" caused.
I grew up in Exeter, and I can't tell you how
much it sickens me to think that the person who left
the surprise of a $700 dent in my girlfriend's car
just might have been someone I know, or even went
to school with. If you have ever been a student in
college or university, you can appreciate how finan-
cially strapped one can be, especially so close to
the end of the school year. This car was the means
by which my girlfriend and I got to and from work
in order to pay for little "extras" such as food and
rent! Worst still, I had to break the news to my girl-
friend. The ride back to London that night was the
longest trip in my life. When I told her about the
damage, she was quite upset which one might say
was understandable.
I don't imagine that the kind of person who hits
someone else's car with as much force as you did
and then flees without even leaving a note wc'tld
understand much less care what a serious detriment
their actions have had on our lives. Your behaviour
is proof not only of your lack of driving ability, but
your lack of quality as a human being as well!
If you are not enough of a person to own up to this
mistake, perhaps anyone who witnessed the incident
in which a car struck a black Camaro in the Exeter
Arena parking lot on the evening of Friday, Febru-
ary 11 at approximately 6:30 p.m. would like to in-
form either myself, my girlfriend or the Exeter OPP
regarding what they saw. My girlfriend is offering a
cash reward for information that leads to the naming
of the guilty party and appropriate compensation.
Guilty party, please keep in mind that being
charged with hit and run is a rather serious charge.
We are quite willing to settle this out of court.
I will leave you with one last sentiment - you'd be
surprised what people can recall having seen when
there is a cash reward involved! Sleep tight.
Anyone with information regarding this incident
is urged to contact either David or Tracey at 434-
5053 or the Exeter OPP.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
David Schwindt, London
Shuffleboard
Exeter
March 2
3 game winners
Clara Harris
Ruby Beaver
Wm. Baechler
Iva Blair
4 game winners
Marj Hodgert
Steve Hrapchak
Bob Blair
Bob Long
March 3
4 game winners
Lloyd Lovell
John Deweerd
Howard Johns
Joe Gosar
5 game winners
Wilma Davis
Muriel Marshall
011ie Essery
Marj Hodgcrt
Hensall
March 1
6 game winners
Allen Berry
Dave Kyle
Ethel McMurtrie
Alice Thiel
Lloyd Eagleson
Pearl McKnight
Dave Woodward
Hugh McKay
291
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390
374
351
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428
398
386
379
535
408
400
396
463
436
428
410
403
401
390
386
We're glad you
asked...
Fi!
BILL HASKETT
ACyse•
Funeral Home
Limited
370 William Street,
Exeter, Ontario
(519) 235-1220
BOB FLETCHER
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME?
Sudden death syndrome, of SIDS, most commonly strikes Infants between
one and twelve months old. No one knows whrtt causes it. These Infants,
about two of every 1,000, simply die In their sleep. without any sign that they
are III.
Doctors are now investigating exactly how and why SIDS stokes, but little Is
known at present. Certain factors, however, are known to be associated with
SIDS. It seems that Infants who have died from SIDS often are boys, twins,
were bom prematurely to younger mother¢ or to mothers who smoke cigar-
ettes. These factors are not proven causes yet of SIDS, but they may help in
the research being done.
It is known that the deaths are no one's fault. SIDS victims are cared for as
carefully as are most Infants, and there Is no reason to believe parental ne-
glect has anything to do with their deaths. That, In part, Is what makes SIDS
so baffling.
We have more Information about SIDS and how to help the families who ex-
perience it. Please call us or stop by.
QatTh ruMrW
SEIMCE ASSOC IMIO t
Ignoolree MRS
HOPPER HOCKEY FUNERAL HOME
Exrrtr, Qsarle
Grand Bend
Golden Agers
By Jean Dann
ZURICH - Sixty members of the
Grand Bend Golden Agers Club en-
joyed the luncheon music of Dave
Sheppard Wednesday at the Royal
Canadian Legion.
Following the 12:30-1:15 lunch-
eon, Dave demonstrated the versa-
tility of the club's Yamaha Clavi -
nova and then accompanied sing
song requests led by Larry Cole.
President Ron Dann conducted
the business of the March meeting
as member approved the distribu-
tion of Ontario Senior Games Affil-
iation cards to members who partic-
ipate in the various club games and
reacted favourably to new ideas for
the Ont!'. Irmo nn,1 shirt designs
presented by member Bert Pullen.
The Club's Senior Games activi-
lies include euchre tonight at 7:30,
shuffleboard Thursdays at 9 a.m.
and Monday's at 12:45 p.m. carpet
howling Thursday's at 7 p.m. and
five pin bowling Monday's at 9
a.m. Anyone 55 years and over is
invited to participate.
for citizenship in homeland of their
own for close to 40 years.
"The people have nothing," Doro-
thy said in terms of modern services
such as medical centres. "They rely
on the land for survival, yet they are
the most warm and gentle people I
have met."
While there, the Chapman's lived
as the people did. Sometimes that
would mean sleeping in bamboo slat
beds, a reed mat, with a blanket and
mosquito netting. The only way to
bathe was with a bucket of cold wa-
ter.
As well, they spent two nights in
Manerplaw, the Karen headquarters
and heard first hand from the Bo
Mya, the leader of the people, about
the needs and hopes of the Karen
Nation.
"Travelling for SCAW brought us
closer to the real Thailand," said
Jim. "We travelled to paras of the
country that we would never have
seen as tourists."
And these experiences are some-
thing the Chapman's hope to share
with others who are interested in
learning more about Sleeping Chil-
dren Around the World.
"The trip reminded us of how
lucky we are to be living in Cana-
da," Dorothy said.
ANew
Spirit of
Giving
A nanontl gang;, an, ,,, rn„wra.r ,;,. , ,,
and rolunurnng
Back a Fighter
Canada ,%i
GIVE TO
Easter
&ali
4th aitiu
WALK FOR
SICK KIDS
5Mile Walkathon
a!1 proceeds to
the c1-11LDIZENS
1405117AL
of Western Ont.
Walkatiwn tssponsored by
Sterne ' Audrey Skinner
in memory of
Stephanie Lynn Skinner
Walk on Sun April 77th
at fi00 pni.
Rnvrlote the following Sun.Apr 124-
Ph1yc Sf.erta o e o,r &,bfe of
4. ,t,y.0 •..dt
�..._ --• =_ - F.+.�r � ,<.z tic..,
Capsule Comments
with Ernie Miatello
March is National Epilepsy Month. This year's
theme is: "Research: For Someone with Epilepsy,
It's Another Word for Hope". Epilepsy is no/ a dis-
ease. It is a disorder of certain nerve cells in the
brain. It cannot be spread from one person to an-
other although there is an inherited tendency in
some people. About half of 1% of all the people in the world have epi-
lepsy.
It is a myth that people with epilepsy are likely to have a seizure any mo-
ment. Most haven't had a seizure for years and will remain seizure -free
when they take their medications in the proper manner.
Yehudi Menuhin, the famous violinist, once said that ezpeetant mothers
should sing to their unborn child during pregnancy if they want the child
to grow up contented and well-balanced.
Fasting is the abstinence from food for a period of time. Did you know
that when someone goes on a fast, the body's metabolism slows dosyn
as much as 22%? It speeds up when food is eaten again.
Medications are like apples... tney wiii not keep forever. Clean vui yuw
medicine cabinet and get rid of all those rotten apples. You can bring
them to us for safe disposal.
Huron Apothecary Ltd
r
"Your Health Care Pharmacy"
PHONE 235-1982
440 MAIN ST.. EXETER. ONT.
"What
would you
do if you
.ehz,v-Fteedol4A,
And remember... Say yes to
ENCORE
FNCOPE