Let me start off by saying that before coming to the Wat Don Chan, I had no idea what Cricket was. Well, I knew it was some kind of game but that was it. When I got here I saw that the kids were playing  the game with 3 super dedicated coaches Chris, Martin and Puy. I started to ask questions about the game and began going to every game the kids had, anything to cheer them on. The team had many problems with the powers that be here at the Temple and the whole program was canceled several times but like I said the coaches are so dedicated that they kept fighting to get it going again. I mean come on the kids love it and as we all know any type of team sport can only do good for kid, right! Anyway I called the team the bad news bears, they did not have nice uniforms or great shoes (some did not even want to wear shoes) and they were kind of sloppy.

Cut to the end of the season and they are now tied for #1 and 4 of the boys had the chance to go play in Bangkok for a major tournament and could get scholorships next year at an amazing international school for Cricket. Ok now these kids are from the hill tribes and just a few years ago were not in school, never wore shoes and who’s families make only like $500/year. AMAZING, yes I know…

Now back to the powers that be, long and short of it as I still have to live here, they kicked a couple of the kids out of school and canceled the Cricket program, yes I agree, BS. So now back to the coaches, they found a great place for the kids to live,  better schools for them to goto and now a great place to practice. This place only has 100 kids and does cost some money, Wat Don Chan is free. It cost 10,000 Baht/year which is right around $315/USD  for the whole year, cheap, if you ask me…I now sponsor a 13 year old boy named Bounchouy and we have a total of 12 kids there and we are working on getting another 20, maybe more. The boys will play their last game of the year in June, for the championship, very exciting and to think they almost could not play for the trophy because someone got upset since they did not say goodbye before going to a game…Oh, did I say (type) that out loud????

Sponsor a kid for $315/USD, email me and i’ll tell you how also check out watdonchancricket.com.  As always, peace and blessings. -Stu