Chan Chob Kun ((I like you))

I'm glad I got a solid run in last night since it has been pouring all day today. Although, things could be worse- I'm sharing one of the conference tables with P-Galong, the oldest of the Mercy 2 "boys". P-Galong is the opitime of self reliance, as he lived on his own on the streets, with downs syndrome for many many years.

Here is a quick piece about him from Mercy's website (www.mercycentre.org):

Galong was in his mid-20s, living on the street, and working as a “doorman” at a bar near the Pratunam market when we found him fifteen years ago. Born with a kind of Downs’ Syndrome, he could speak only a few words, and unfortunately they weren’t the ones he needed to explain where he came from or how he came to live by himself in the most crowded neighborhood in Bangkok.
We don’t know much about Galong’s past, but we have a pretty good idea how he survived on the street: he is incredibly good-natured and loves to help people. Galong comes at you like a burst of joy, and his joy is irresistible. During his years on the street, many kind people must have looked after him.

Others, however, were surely less kind. As a perpetually innocent child, Galong could never possibly negotiate his way through an adult world without facing abuse and injury.

We invited Galong to live with us, and he gladly accepted.

I am so lucky that I get to sit and speak very basic Thai with him, watch him color beautiful elephants (soi mak mak chang) and listen as he speaks into his plastic phone. He describes his drawings to me and we laugh about funny sounds we hear in the office and my horrible animal impressions.

Galong reminds me of my Uncle Mike, who I miss dearly and it always makes me wonder what Mikey would say if he had speech like Galong. Although, what Mikey can't communicate verbally, he makes up for in his mannerisms, facial expressions and other non-verbal cues; his point is never missed.

Here are a few shots from P-Galong and my day in the office.

Chan chob khun.

ABA