Blogs

Top Hearted Posts

How a simple comment on our JAI Facebook page helped feed and clothe an orphanage

by on ‎07-24-2014 02:57 PM


Here I am with my team and some of the youngest children at the orphanage


Greetings my friends,


I've just returned from my latest inspiration trip in Northern Thailand. I spent over a week, exploring, discovering, and experiencing the life of the Northern Thai Artisan.  I wanted to share with you a serendipitous moment from this trip that created an experience that I believe will have a long lasting effect.  


As I was boarding my connecting flight from NYC to Hong Kong on the way to Thailand, I updated our JAI Jewelry Facebook page on my travels.  When I landed in Thailand, I noticed that one of our JAI friends, Christine, had left a comment on my travel post.  When Christine read that we were going to Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand, she shared with me the story of her friend who had come here years ago on missionary work and opened up an orphanage for rescued children.  



Here is the comment that inspired the visit


The following morning in Chiang Mai, I went to meet with our team and local guide to review our itinerary for the week of exploration.  Every inspiration trip is detailed down to the minute with planned locations, guides, and experiences with the local artisans and their community so that I experience an authentic taste of the culture and history.  It was at this time that I shared with the team that I would like to find this orphanage that Christine mentioned and go visit and see if there was anything we can do.  


My team was very excited to make this happen.  Our guide advised us how tight our schedule was and that we would have to change some things but that he would look into it and let us know the following day.  Unfortunately we were told that the orphanage that Christine mentioned would be a 6 hour drive and that we would not be able to make it there on this trip due to time constraints.  That being said, we all agreed that Christine’s message was a sign and that we wanted to do something to help this wonderful community that has opened up their hearts and their homes to us.


We learned of a local children’s orphanage in Chiang Mai who for the past 9 years has rescued children from the mountains of Northern Thailand.  The children have either lost their parents or their lives were in grave danger.  We reviewed our itinerary, re-prioritized and made time to visit this orphanage.  During a two hour meeting & tour with the director of the orphanage we learned about the plight of the children, the care they received, and what the goals of the orphanage was for the children’s future.


As soon as we left, we headed straight to the local shopping plaza to fill the orphanage’s immediate wish list for the 60+ children under their care.



My team stocking up to fill the orphanage wish list


The next morning we surprised all 60+ children with much of their basic needs; clothes, shoes, food & milk, toys for each of the classrooms, sporting equipment, and cleats for their soccer team (the team had 2 pair of cleats that they would share and the others would play barefoot).  The director kept saying it was like Christmas in July. 



Unloading the van with the help of the children



One of the kids helping us unload yogurt



Jen and I spent the morning sizing the children for socks and shoes



Jen, our director of marketing, with some of the kids, she was ready to adopt them all



Our Thai photographer doing a selfie with some of the kids


My team and I spent the day with the children. We played soccer with the boys team, (I had no idea I had gotten so old and out of shape… I’ll blame the altitude) & the girls played badminton and volleyball while the littlest ones played with balls, puzzles, and matchbox cars.  It was one of the most special days I’ve experienced in a long time.  As I played with these children, I could not help but think of my 13th month baby girl Olive and how blessed my family was to be born and raised in America. 



My team told them I could play like David Beckham… way to set me up for embarrassment. Ha ha..


After several years living and traveling through Africa, Asia, and Europe, my experiences have led me to believe that we all want the same thing for our children; to love, protect, and provide for them so they can live a happy and healthy life.  I feel it is my responsibility as a father, a son, and most importantly as a human being to help protect, love, and nurture all children no matter where or in what circumstances they are born into.  When you consider that ‘JAI’ means ‘love’ in Thai and means ‘Goodness’ in Hindi, it makes perfect sense that this company is where I call home.


Before we left the orphanage, my team and I each sponsored a child providing them housing, food, and an education for as long as they need.  We have each vowed to continue our support in any way we can. 



Here I am with Asa, he is the young man that my family has since sponsored


I think the note from Christine and my day at the orphanage has opened up a new chapter in my life.  I feel blessed and humbled by the opportunity to pay it forward and the ability to become the man that I know I’m meant to be.


I look forward to seeing you on August 21st when I am back on QVC with 3 hours of beautiful new designs inspired by my travels throughout Asia.  Until then, please join me on our JAI Jewelry Facebook & Jaijewelry_ Instagram account  to see more behind the scenes of our JAI travel series, new designs, and the beautiful world of JAI Jewelry


Safe Travels,


Scott