Ta Ko Lang, Thailand
February 11-13, 2014
Special Nippon Kan Advisor Scott Roney and retired Consul Haruo Yamagami from Japan accompanied me to Ta Ko Lang, Thailand for a visit to the Bilay House Orphanage. The Bilay House was built by AHAN in 2012 and houses over 20 orphaned children on a full-time basis. Bilay House is located in a remote area of Western Thailand near the Myanmar border; about a five hour drive from Bangkok.
with Pastor Bilay and the children of Bilay House
The children welcomed us with songs and a weaving demonstration. Mr Roney reciprocated by playing guitar and singing “What a friend we have in Jesus” which delighted everyone including our special guest Mr. Yamagami. Mr. Yamagami is a retired consul to the UAE Japanese Consulate who has turned to writing as a professional author. Mr. Yamagami spoke after staying at Bilay House with the children on this visit, “I am very impressed by this experience. I have been to many countries but this is the first time I have had an experience like this”.
Children cooking dinner for us
Special Advisor Roney playing guitar with the children
On this trip we also went to visit the UN Tham Hin Refugee Camp which has been in operation for over 19 years and houses over 7000 people.
Refugee settlement camp
Pastor Bilay crossing a bridge into the camp
Mr. Yamagami, Pastor Bilay and children in the camp
Pastor Bilay lived at this camp himself for over 5 years. The camp has been there for such a long time it looks like a small village. The reality of visiting this camp is much different than images we see of refugee camps on TV. As I walked through this camp it made me think that there were still many problems that needed to be solved for these people.
Report by
Gaku Homma Kancho
Nippon Kan General Headquarters, AHAN Nippon Kan Founder