CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Dawkmymy - the Garment Factory

I was introduced as an accountant and financial advisor. It was true my degrees were in accounting and finance, but an expert was not me. "What that means is I count grains of rice and beans."

For some reason, sillinessoverwhelmed c requirementsƬ_�Ć�me as I revealed two little bags from my purse. One had rice in it and the other had red beans. They went from frowns to smiles. Some even laughed out loud. "What happens if we cooked all these items for me and my son's supper and we ate them all?"

One girl with a smug on her face. articulated, "You would have no beans and rice left." I smiled and returned, "You are absolutely right." I went over to her and patted her on the back, and handed her a piece of soft caramel candy where everyone could see it.

I had a wide grin and expressed, "What if we cooked only half of it for supper?" Another girl declared, "You would be able to do two suppers." Raising my voice excitedly and handing her a piece of the sweet morsel, "You got it honey. We would save half for a second supper."

Then, I asked hurriedly, "If we just took a hand full of rice and red beans and threw them in a bigger pot of boiling water with a carrot cut into slices, added diced onions and cabbage and topped it off with fish sauce plus a chicken leg, what would we have?" Six girls raised their hands. I picked a little quiet girl in the back who said, "That is chicken soup." "You are one of the smartest girls I know," and gave her a little sugar nugget.

Asking one final enquiry, "What do we need to do with the rice and beans left over?" At first no one held up their hands. I asked the question again. The little girl in the back, probably fourteen years old, raised her hand again. She quizzed, "Can I respond to two questions?" "Sure, you can, honey."

"Before the Pink Handkerchief Gang killed my Grandfather, he was trying to keep them from kidnapping me. He would have taken the leftover beans and rice, and planted them in his garden."

"Sweetheart, I am so sorry about your grandfather. You responded to the question better than anyone. Your grandfather saved the seeds to plant and increased the beans and rice."

My heart struggled. This girl's problem is ten times worse than mine. I took the bag of candies and handed it to her, telling her to take another caramel, and give the rest to each class member who does not have one. I prayed, Lord help me help this girl!

We took a short break. I went to the restroom and cried like a baby. The little girl was on my mind. I discovered that her name was Malsa.

Upon returning to the room I said, "What is similar to rice and beans concerning finances?" No one answered. They looked at each other with a puzzled stare on their faces. "What do we use to buy things?"

Malsa responded, "Money!" "That's right, we purchase things with money! In our country that is Bhat. Bhat is like beans and rice in that we can put it aside to use at another time, or we can plant it in a bank and it will grow. Either way we call it saving.

We might save for a short time to buy a sewing machine, or let it accumulate in the bank to earn interest for a longer period. Thereby, the money increases so we can use it for a large purpose, or when we retire and are not working any longer. We can use it to start a business or buy a house."

Malsa posed, "How much should we save?"

"That depends on the amount you earn and what it takes to cover your expenses. For example, if you make one thousand Bhat a month and spend six hundred, that leaves four hundred Bhat you can save.

Next example, if you clear three thousand Bhat and pay out two thousand, you will be left with one thousand that you can put away for college, to purchase something important, or set aside for your older years."

Announcing that I had enjoyed my time with them, and would stay for a few minutes if anyone had a question about personal finances, Malsa approached me and wanted to know when would be the next time for me to return. I shared, "Probably not as a speaker."

She displayed a large frown and was about to cry. "However, I will come here as a visitor." She probed me about showing up next Sunday. I informed her that if it was okay, it would be at 9:00 AM to take her to church with me. Her reply was, "Yes mam, I'll be ready."

Tira Savage divulged that Malsa had been waiting for me since 7:00. She said that she did not have any friends, and that my visit with her was the first. After church, we had dinner at my house. She had fun playing with Seebhabe. He adored her, and she loved him. This is her first opportunity to be a kid.

Malsa would show up on my door step every Sunday to go to church. She had supper with us several times a week. She was like a big sister with Seebhabe and watched him when Sy La Maaw was not available. I will adopt her if allowed.

She wanted to call me mom. "Yes, honey, I would be proud for you to call me mom." When hugging her, tears flooded both our eyes. Questioning Tira if it would be possible to adopt Malsa as a single parent with one son, she replied that Mae Sua had ways to bring about the adoption.

Mae Sua explained what was needed to adopt Malsa. She informed me that I would be responsible for her until she is eighteen. It was important for me to tell my great aunt that it would be an honor to have her in my home. In a month Malsa was my daughter.

Tira told me that Malsa could continue on the educational and work benefit plans until she becomes nineteen. When she graduates from here, she will receive her high school diploma and two years of college credit in general studies and business at Chiang Mai University. Then if we have any openings for instructors she would be on top of the list for that position.

Tira handed me a check for sixty-eight thousand Bhat with my name and Malsa's name. "We did not give it to her because she is under eighteen." "Why this amount?" "The Respected Mothers Garden Club gives a fifty thousand Bhat restart fund for girls rescued like Malsa.

The other eighteen thousand is her stipend for six months. She has not bought anything. We have accounts at many shops in Chiang Mai and the students can spend up to half their stipend at any of these stores. Malsa makes her own clothes. She eats the meals we serve here.

The only time she goes out is to go to your house or to church with you. There has never been a problem with her. She is the brightest student we have.

Most of our students are four to eight years older than her. The only friends she has is you and your son. She comes alive when she is around you. The girl loved you and your boy before the adoption. She is proud to have a mother and a brother. That is mostly what she talks about.

Malsa received a lifetime of abuse the short time in captivity. Her childhood was stolen. She needs you and your home to blossom and to know she is loved. Our school is necessary to prepare her for the working future.

Tira informed me that Malsa is far ahead of her classmates making and designing clothing. If she had the social skills, she could go into her own business.

We went to the bank. I helped her to purchase an annuity with fifty thousand Bhat that matured when she would be twenty-one and render sixty-two thousand Bhat. We opened a savings account with nine thousand Bhat to serve as an emergency fund.

The checking account received three thousand Bhat. I encouraged her to put the six thousand Bhat in her purse to get the feel of money to make purchases. A new portable sewing machine cost four thousand Bhat ($133.00 U.S.) She counted the four thousand Bhat to pay for the sewing machine to add the reality of purchasing. It took a thousand Bhat to pay for several bolts of cloth and a few spools of thread. She counted the thousand Bhat and gave it to the clerk. This increased her lesson on how to pay for things.

Malsa had one thousand Bhat left. I suggested giving the church three hundred Bhat because it stood for ten percent of her monthly income. "What about the seven hundred Bhat left?" "You can use it for incidentals." "What are incidentals?" "Small objects that are significant but considered needed. Sometimes even unnecessary items are things you need or do not need."

Malsa's mother and father left one night and never came back. Somehow, she believed her parents sneaking away and that the death of her grandfather was her fault. I assured her that bad things happened, but it was not something that she caused. I held her until she cried herself to sleep. She made me understand that a mother cherished her child.

We went to the market where it was likely we would buy items with her money. She purchased a little doll for twenty Bhat ($1.00) and a shoulder bag for another twenty. The bag is used to carry the doll. She sleeps with the precious possession. I wept while attempting to slumber.

Monthly as she receives her stipend, Malsa deposits two thousand Bhat in her savings, three hundred Bhat for church and seven hundred Bhat goes into her purse for other purchases.

People in the neighborhood have discovered her skills. They would bring items that need to be repaired to the house. She charges one Bhat ($0.05) for a simple repair. It costs two Bhat for a more complex fix. She makes simple shirts, pants and dresses for twenty Bhat ($1.00) plus materials.

Malsa made simple chutthai (ชุดไทย) with no design and basic cotton material for fifteen Bhat ($0.50.) The chutthai is the national multi-purpose attire in Thailand for men and women. The Thai Chutthai is comparable to the sarong in other countries. It can be formal or informal.

Those that wanted evening gowns and wedding dresses were sent to Regal Garments.

The repairs were not a way to make money, but a method for giving back to her community. Many of her customers were poor, but found charity repulsive. They needed to pay for their repairs and purchases to retain their self-respect.

At first, she was reserved, and did not talk. As more people used her service, she began to open up. She was found smiling, talking, joking and having discussions with all. I insisted she restrict her part time business to two hours a night to provide her with time to sleep. Weekly, she added one to two hundred Bhat to her checking account.

Running the business by herself created more confidence. Tira claims Malsa was a different girl. She is friendly with many girls. Occasionally, she went to lunch or for a soft drink with several of her school mates. More importantly, others needed her assistance with their sewing, patterns and designs. These tasks had her doing it cheerfully. Each worker loved and appreciated her, and would fight for her if needed. She created additional goodwill with the students that were helped by her. Many shifted from being selfish and self-serving to lending a hand to others freely.

Tira observed that Malsa was talking, walking and making facial expressions like me. She exploded with energy every day which made her work harder than any woman in the building. She is an example for all of us. Her job was quiet and modest. It became the model with which many would attempt to imitate.

Because of her energy, no one could maintain the pace she had. They did not give up, but tried harder. Production increased because of her diligence. That provided time for an additional variety of college level classes taught by instructors from Chiang Mai University.

I was elated from the reports that Tira gave me. My little girl was excelling in class work, and in life experience. Her timidity had disappeared, and was replaced with friendliness. My pride swelled. My happiness and gratitude overflowed. I felt at peace with the world.

Everything seemed brighter. I felt like it would be achievable to overcome the many obstacles I might face-even problems in my personal relationships, and comprehended that it would not be easy to revive Bobby's affections.

On the other hand, attempts to make amends might regain what was lost. What will happen if the above fails? My not making an effort will result with a negative outcome. I began to wonder why am I making the effort? It looks like he will not give me a chance.

I was pensive about the problem, but had not come to a practical solution. Hopefully, time will be with me, and the ultimate outcome will be fruitful. My dreams and desires depended on decreasing my fury. Can I be prepared for the task?

It was too easy for him to deny that he was not Seebhabe's father. Was he sincere, or was it an act? If it was for show, he performed extraordinarily well. Maybe the thought has directed me to the wrong conclusion again.