We decorate for Christmas in the traditional Shan-style. This is one of the main rooms.
We decorate for Christmas in the traditional Shan-style. This is one of the main rooms.

- You can join Phillip (Sai Laao Mai) & Saai in badmington...
Our question is: How on earth do they do it??
Ahh, now we're talking! A fair game of marbles is more our style! (Although some of the youngest players didn't quite follow the rules)
After the the 'peace keeping' play with marbles, we decided to help little Toby (Pawnthep) collect his laundry. (All the children above 7 years old have to do their own laundry at the centre.)



These herbs are only to be found in the cold season. They are very nutricious - a natural way to ensure that the children get sifficient intake of vitamins. The herbs are grown, watered and collected by the children in this little garden right outside our kitchen!
"Finding the coin with your nose-game"
Caleb gets ready...to run!

In this game, the children's feet were tied together and they had to work out a way to move around. Phillip (Sai Laao Mai) & Joshua (Sai Sai) obviously found out how to cooperate.
The youngest children get ready to have their go!
The staff served cold drinks & snack between the "battles."
...and the winner is: Charity!
...the boys were so strong they tore the rope! But finally the team to the right won. This is the "Catch the water-balloon with your t-shirt-game".
Inger-Lise insisted on having this picture taken to prove that she helped her team win!


* Inger-Lise Bjorkelid in the director of House of Hope. Six local staff live and work at the center.