Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Soda gets his residence permit...

It is with pleasure that we can announce that Soda got his residence permit to be permanently reunited with his mother.

For this we must especially thank CHAFF participant, Ildikó Hámos (planner - communication, training - of the SINNI resource and empowerment centre, Isokatu 30, 302, FIN-90100 Oulu tel. +358 40 728 87 77), who helped Pornpailin and lent her the important morale support in the intervening period.

At our request, Ildikó met with Pornpailin and went with her to the local Police Station. She also followed up with the Department of Foreigners Affairs in Helsinki to ensure that the papers were processed quickly. Since Ildikó (Hungarian) and Pornpailin (Thai) speak German, communication was easy and the two were "at home" together, instantly.

SINNI stands for women empowerment centre and it provides for northern women´s power under one roof. SINNI is having an OPEN DAY on Wednesday, January 25th 2006. Please make sure you attend as it will be an great event.

Ildikó and Ilari in Iran

Ildikó and Ilari in Iran during
their overland trans-Asia trip


Here is a photograph of a very happy Pornpailin with her two wonderful children, Soda and Sodium.

Soda and Sodium with their mother Pornpailin
Soda and Sodium with their mother Pornpailin


Yesterday, Pornpailin was able to visit the Oulu Magstrate's Office to ensure all the papers were put in order for Soda's stay in Finland. Now comes the steps of ensuring that Soda gets his KELA card and that the formalities of his stay regularised.

We must also mention the help given by Virpi Ihonen, a resident of the Kasarmin area, and her partner, who have been helping the Pornpailin family to work through the several problems.

Virpi is truly wonderful person, who, with her partner are motorcycling enthusiasts. Virpi and her girlfriends run a Ladies Motorcycling Club - Pink Cats MC

Pink Cats MC, Virpi Ihonen and friends
Pink Cats MC, Virpi Ihonen and friends
Virpi is the one sitting at the back on the right


Thank you, Ildikó and Virpi, for acting in the true spirit of CHAFF. It is your selfless participation that has made CHAFF such a success.

No comments: