Charity
The paintings below have been inspired by and specifically made for the charitable organisation called ‘My Place’ which you can read about below. All proceeds raised from the sale of any of these paintings will be donated to ‘My Place’. If the client’s address is within a reasonable distance of my studio I can deliver the painting(s) free of charge. Otherwise they would have to be collected or any delivery costs paid for by the client.
I have chosen this organisation for two reasons. Firstly, I know about ‘My Place’ through one of the volunteers who I am friends with and who is also the UK representative. She visits the homes every year and returns with detailed first-hand information about the welfare of the children and the progress of the homes. Like many people I prefer to support a charity for which I am really able to know how my contributions are being used. Secondly the charity is operated almost entirely by volunteers and their administration costs are less than 1% of funds received, ie over 99% of donations will go towards the homes and children.
I am confident that the work carried out by 'My Place' is going to the very heart of where there is great need.
My Place‘My Place’ is a Hong Kong registered charity dedicated to transforming the lives of the most disadvantaged and at-risk children in various parts of Asia by a variety of initiatives which ensure that such children will gain access to the following:
• Education
• Health care
• Spiritual growth
• Healthy emotional and social growth
At present ‘My Place’ work in Yangon in Myanmar and Mae Sot in Thailand.
Yangon (Myanmar)
In Yangon ‘My Place’ are running and supporting six homes where they care for 67 children. Myanmar is currently going through some tremendous changes that are mostly regarded as positive after decades of isolation, internal conflicts and stagnation. Many children in the country, however, continue to become destitute by losing family members to preventable diseases or by displacement due to regional conflicts. Some of them find it impossible to gain access to education or health services. Due to extreme poverty, many also become vulnerable to human trafficking and slavery. ‘My Place’ partner with local Christian families in and around Yangon who have great compassion for the most destitute and disadvantaged children. ‘My Place’ also sponsor a number of children from a slum community to enable them to go to school.
Mae Sot (Thailand)
In Mae Sot ‘My Place’ operates two homes, one of which was established specifically to provide an alternative for children who were living and working on the garbage dump of Mae Sot, described as one of the worst in the world. Mae Sot is a town on the Thai side of the Thailand/Myanmar border and is known for having more refugee and economic migrants from Myanmar living there than Thai nationals. Many of these people struggle to survive and Mae Sot’s location means it is a hub for all kinds of trade including illegal activity like trafficking of drugs and people. Naturally this breeds a situation where the most vulnerable people are victims of exploitation and neglect.
For more information regarding ‘My Place’ and to enquire about buying a painting please visit www.myplaceintl.org