Trustees Annual Report
Year ending April 2026
September 2025 marked the end of an era. Project visionary and leader for over 25 years, Deeo, finally went to be with her Lord & Saviour. She had given her whole adult life to caring for people in need.
Deeo’s funeral showed the impact she had on many lives. About 400 people went to Lert Sa Wat over 3 days to say what Deeo had meant to them. People travelled from the length and breadth of Thailand, as well as Ruth Andaas from Norway and Maureen & Daniel Wallhead from the UK. The services culminated in a cremation service on the outskirts of Bangkok. All 200 seats were taken. More and more chairs were added, until finally, friends were having to stand outside to listen to the service.
Time and time again, people heard how Deeo had helped those in need – with food, drinks, clothing, medicines, and of course, a home and education. Wichit, a Pastor from Southern Thailand, drove for 18 hours as Deeo had seen his potential in the Bangkok slums when others were calling him rubbish. Laddawan, one of the first children sponsored by Lert Sa Wat, also travelled from southern Thailand to pay tribute to Deeo who had inspired her and enabled her to have a new life as a University lecturer. Children from the Lert Sa Wat Home returned to say how Deeo had transformed their lives. Tee, the oldest member of the Lert Sa Wat family not only spoke at a service but also drove Deeo’s body in the Lert Sa Wat school bus from the local hospital to the crematorium in Bangkok.
There was no question that Deeo’s work would continue. Her older daughter Joop had taken over the running of the Project when Deeo was struck by Covid in 2021, while her younger daughter Nong had been Deeo’s primary carer as well as heading up the Nursery.
Sponsorship continued uninterrupted for 98 children, with 6 students completing their higher education. Even after September, Deeo continued to bless the Project. It is Thai culture to give money to go towards the cost of the funeral or actual gifts to help an organisation they support. That made the Lert Sa Wat Christmas party of 2025 special. As well as each child receiving a gift, and whole families a meal, many needy families also received extra gifts like fans for their homes.
For most children in the Project, their education began in the Lert Sa Wat Nursery. The Montessori system makes learning fun. To prepare for Primary School children also learn more formal number and literacy skills. It is not easy learning all 44 consonants and 32 vowels of the Thai alphabet. Nutritious meals and snacks put them in a good position to learn.
It is harder to ensure that children are well fed once they leave the Lert Sa Wat Nursery and begin Primary School. Some families can manage Others like Mangkorn (pictured) need regular food parcels of milk, instant noodles, tinned fish, eggs – food children can prepare themselves when parents are not there – and, of course, a few treats. The food bags give an indication of how many families need that extra help.
All that has been and is being achieved has been in partnership with our sponsors and supporters. We are very grateful for all the ways people have given their time and talents to the Project. August 2025 saw the visit of another Painting Team to Lert Sa Wat. Once again, shabby rusted areas were transformed into glorious technicolour.
The transformation continued. Another generous donation from Generation Trust and gifts from individual donors allowed the construction of an awning onto the kitchen – more space for washing up, cooler than the kitchen and space to dry children’s clothes on wet days.
Back in the UK, fundraising has begun for the latest need of Lert Sa Wat. Erosion has meant there is a need for a new road into Lert Sa Wat. Temporary repairs were done on the worst areas with a sand and gravel mix. Trustees have taken the decision to provide a more enduring cement road on the land in front of the Home & Nursery which is owned by Lert Sa Wat, and the sand and gravel mix on an agreed right of way. An afternoon tea and a Thai curry evening proved very popular, with praise as always for the culinary skills of Julie Jude. With other donations, over half of the estimated price has been raised. We will be looking to raise enough funds to complete the work over the next year. Thank you to all our sponsors and supporters.
To find out more about Lert Sa Wat and child sponsorship for £25/30 per month, visit our website lertsawat.com or email lertsawat2000@gmail.com.
Maureen Wallhead
pp The Lert Sa Wat Trustees