Gavland is proud to endorse the fundraising efforts of The Thailand Burma Border Consortium.

Message from Gavland Founder Gavin Burgess:

Dear Gavland Friends and Visitors,

Thanks for visiting this part of our site. We've established this page in an attempt to assist in meeting an urgent need which we've become aware of. Funds raised through this page do not benefit Gavland Ltd in any way.

On numerous visits to Thailand over the last few years I've met with Vaughan, enjoyed his hospitality, and become his friend. I've been privileged to see first hand the letters and commendations of thanks he has received for literally saving peoples lives through his and his colleagues' work at TBBC. Vaughan and his wife Sunantha have also been featured on Thai TV for their service work in their local Thai community.

When I heard from Vaughan about the desperate situation faced by so many refugees from the military junta of Myanmar (Burma) I realised that, between us, we at Gavland, and you, our friends, could make a huge difference. In fact we could mean the difference between life or death for many people.

Let's not pretend that these people are saints - but neither are they responsible for the situation they find themselves in. They are just normal people like you or I, sometimes good and sometimes, just like us, less than perfect. The one thing that needs to be understood is that they did not choose to be born into a country run by an inhumane military junta. These people have no choice. They do not enjoy the opportunities to better their lives which we in the west take for granted. These are a disenfranchised people - refugees from their own country and unwelcome in the countries they run to. Organisations like TBBC are the only chance these people have. Please join with us at Gavland in supporting this cause. A very small donation from you could save a life.

Gavin Burgess
Gavland FM.

Message from Vaughan Smith of TBBC:

Dear friend,

As you know there is a UN conference in Rome this week discussing solutions to the global food price crisis. You also know that for the past 9 years I have been working with a local NGO, TBBC, which provides food and shelter to some 140,000 mainly ethnic minority refugees from Eastern Burma.

Our NGO has been hit with a severe budget crisis and we are preparing to cut the food rations to the refugees to half the minimum needed to maintain life.

To personally show our concern and to show our solidarity with our beneficiaries, we staff of TBBC are appealing to ourselves, our family and friends for monetary support for our programme.

Please see the attached appeal. More information is available on our website (which I have hurriedly put up over the past couple of working days).

We understand that our individual financial needs and commitments are numerous. Any assistance you can give will be much appreciated.

Please feel free to forward this appeal to your relatives and friends too.

With loving greetings and appreciation,

Vaughan Smith,
Grants & Information Administrator Thailand Burma Border Consortium
12/5 Convent Rd, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
Tel: (66) 2238-5027, Fax: (66) 2266-5376