Arrival In Thailand and stay in the Rebirth Centres

Young ladies at the Rebirth Centre in Bangkla Thailand. These ladies have been here over a year and are trusties. They help those who are new arrivals toovercome their initial pain of coming off their addicted drugs. They also help with the cooking and running of the centre.

Arrived in Thailand and landed in the New Airport which was opened that very day. A little confusion but otherwise OK. My luggage was 12 kilos overweight and at 19 pounds a kilo would have been too expensive. Managed to wangle it through when I explained most of it was presents for the orphans in Burma. I was met by the sisters of the Society of Our Lady and the Most Holy Trinity. From the moment of landing I have been on the go ever since. They have been taking me to see all the religious houses in Bangkok and meeting other sisters of their order. Yesterday we spent over eight hours on the road. You think the traffic is bad in England it is nothing compared to Bangkok in the rush hour. The only time there seems to be no traffic is in the early hours of the morning.

The sisters run two rehabilitation centres for drug addicts. One for girls where there are about 50 and another run by their one and only priest Fr Dominic with 234 boys with only 13 staff. When you compare this with Broadmoor and its 1500 staff to 259 patients there is a world of difference.

In the morning I was given a tour round the girls centre. There are about 50 girls here all trying to kick the habit of drugs the main one which seems to be called ice. Ice is some sort of amphatamine mixed with a depressant. The parents usually bring in the younger children and the older ones enter by their own choice. The age range is from thirteen to twentysix. There are strict rules that the clients have to agree to. First and foremost that there are no drugs to be had or to be used. That there is no bullying or sex abuse. That all clients participate in all the theraputic programmes.

The goal of the centre is to help the client to rediscover their own way of life that is free from drugs. To discover their own self and value and to live them in a more meaningful way that benefits themelves and the communty and the society they live with. There are two stages the first being detoxification period where through the use of herbal medicines, saunas and rest the client is prepared for the next stage of therapy. The second stage is psychological and spiritual therapy and the rehabilitaion of the clients. This takes 18 months. There are group meetings where one is expected to be challenged. There are spiritual times when one is expected to reflect on what ever religion they have been brought up in. There are also times for recreation and games. The longer you are there the more trusted you become and eventually a lot of the clients become helpers to assist the staff in the day to day running of the centre. One of the things you notice is how many young people are sitting around all over the grounds. They are there I was told to stop people disappearing over the fence. They also keep an eye open to make sure that there is no bullying or sexual abuse and that everyone is treated fairly.

When Fr Dominic took me around the male centre we were followed all the way round by one of the helpers. Nothing is taken for granted which is not only good for the clients but also good for any visitors. From all accounts they have very good results. The clients are allowed to see their Parents and family once every month and can have one phone call in a week, which is monitered. The parents and family come all on the same day and before they see their children they also have to have a meeting with the staff. The parents if they can give a monthly donations otherwise it is funded by charitable donations. To me it seemed quite a happy place. Sister Roselyn and Sister Raphael started the centre about twenty years ago and have worked very hard in making it a success. Sr Raphael now one to have a proper school for the girls so that they can further their education.

Yesterday Sister Roseline took me to Pattaya and it was an eye opener. The place was full of western men of a certain type who were looking for you know what. Very seedy and sad to see such young girls with old men trying to be young. I really did look out of place walking with sister Roseline in her habit We did get some very strange looks. The one thing that was good was nobody came to proposition me and so I felt very safe. I could only stay there for an hour which to me was an hour too long. Very sad place yet on the surface looked OK. Tomorrow I have a six hour journey to the male rebirth centre and there is no way I can get out of it. O happy days.

The male centre is much the same as the female but much larger. They both follow the same programme. Fr Dominic who runs the centre also has charge of the young seminarians which there are six. He very rarely has a day off and looks tired. Very prayerful man and all the staff and clients have a high regard for him. He was glad this week as all the seminarians were going on their midterm break which would give him a break from them. Spent two nights here.

I have to go now as I am about to celebrate Mass for the sisters. On Monday I am off to Burma to take the presents from you all and a few 1000 dollars that you have been so generous in giving. While I am there I will celebrate Mass for you in thanksgiving. Fr Kevin