Home of the Open Heart

Home of The Open Heart / Baan Nam Jai July 2010

Dear family and friends,

The women and children living on our property are all well, as we continue on the journey of life together we find our days delightfully full. We are so grateful to God for His protection, for life and so many opportunities to share our lives with others.

Our 2 fundraising goals at present are:
1. To complete our hospice by end of 2010, we could have used this building several times this year, the need is great….. so we want to finish it soon if we can.

2. We are saving to a trip to the beach again, it is almost 2 years since we’ve taken the ‘family/kids’ away for a holiday, our goal is to go to the beach again next April/May, 2011.

We are excited that our community work is developing more and more. We have staff now going several times a week, into our local hospitals as well as visiting people affected by HIV in our area. Some highlights for us in our community work are taking food to people affected by HIV who are in great need in nearby villages and visiting and praying for the sick in our local hospitals.

Our visit to Mai’s grandparents

Also we’ve been asked to do English classes with medical staff at Chiang Rai’s main government hospital, we are excited to fulfil this a wonderful opportunity.

Last but not least…. we need to communicate this news about our tax deductibility status, please read the following carefully!

First, we would like to thank you all for your continued support.  Home of the Open Heart could not continue to make a difference in the lives of those who are affected by HIV in Northern Thailand without your support.  We are all deeply grateful for each and every one of our supporters and sponsors!

We would like to inform you of some changes to our financial status.  Starting the first of August 2010, Home of the Open Heart/Baan Nam Jai will no longer be eligible for tax deductibility in Australia.  Australia has strict guidelines to what is considered a tax deductible project.  In order to qualify for tax deductibility, a project must not offer welfare but instead offer ways for communities to assist themselves without the need of welfare.  Home of the Open Heart concentrates on the most vulnerable members of society, not just the orphan and the widow, but the orphan and widow who are affected by HIV.  This cross section of society has no community to assist them and therefore need welfare projects.  We are honored to be the project that assist those members of society.  For the communities that we can empower, we do so with our community team.  However, our community work is just one component of our overall objectives.  Therefore, not wanting to shift focuses we have decided to no longer seek tax deductibility.

For those who wish to continue support Home of the Open Heart/Baan Nam Jai, the change will not be significant.  ARMS will still administrate funds for us, so those Australian supporters will not have to pay any international fees.  Funds can be sent to ARMS like usual and ARMS will send a receipt.  However, you will no longer get a tax deductible receipt.  For those supporters outside of Australia, this change will not effect you at all.

We hope we can continue to count on your support of all of our projects.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.  General inquires about this change can be directed to office@baannamjai.org.  I am sorry for any inconvenience this change may cause you.

Bless you,

Penny

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