Critical support needs — Sam and family

Monthly basic living costs

The absolute basic survival needs currently for Sam and family in Bangkok is about $1000 CAD ($750 USD; 25,000 BHT) per month.  This includes rent (up to $240 CAD with utilities), food, schooling fees and such details as milk for children and Pampers for the youngest.

The evolving situation

A number of past supports in place during Covid disappeared in recent months with the opening up and resumption of schooling.  These have been detailed previously in the postings.  The current assumption is that individuals and families are now free to resume normal life and work.  In the case of Sam, his recent pick-up off the street as an unwanted alien, followed by three weeks in jail, posting of bail and the court decision of his release, he now exists within intensely tight (impossible) constraints on any ability to earn local support.  The survival of the family rests in the hands of those able and willing to provide charitable assistance… and such people are very difficult to find.

Appeals and responses

Sam has been forced to appeal to his church, local business acquaintances, his family in Pakistan, the local UNHCR office, and even the monks at his children’s school.  Through appeals via my Refugee-Help website, no more than $600 CAD/month has been forwarded in a month.  One of this group has recently promised to cover rental cost each month, and another attempts to contribute regularly beyond that.  Otherwise we do not have ongoing monthly commitments.

I think anyone who has been in direct contact with Sam knows he is a man of integrity and has a family in genuine need.

A recent first-hand report

Just recently, an official with Northern Lights Canada was able to stop in to see Sam in Bangkok.  The report is that Sam and family have been living under extreme hardship, and in his words, “[Sam] is a lovely human being and isn’t letting you know the half of his pressures and suffering.”

What, indeed, can we do?

As I am sure all readers here will understand, appealing to others for money is an extremely difficult task.  Please understand that I am simply attempting here to be the messenger.  It must rest with any of as individuals to assess what might be our independent and appropriate response.

Thank you for giving this need consideration.

For details on how donations are collected and sent to this family, please contact me directly, as follows.

Ron Richmond
306.591.3936
Ronald.Richmond@sasktel.net