Exercises

Second wind

Photo courtesy Bangkok Post

Sports is a good outlet for people who need to get away from their troubles � and many kids who survived the 2004 tsunami have experienced their fair share of problems. One man has made it his mission to help, but he has run into some hardships of his own. Read the story from the Bangkok Post to find out more.

A 30-year-old Briton is on a mission, not for himself or his country, but for the children of a tsunami-hit province. Tommy Gower opened a boxing gym at Ban Pru Tiew in the Takua Pa district of Phangnga province to attract children who are interested in boxing and have nowhere else to spend their free time.

A CALLING TO HELP

Once a professional boxer in England, Gower first came to Thailand in November 2004 for medical help after suffering injuries to his shoulder and hips.

When the tsunami struck, he was in Bangkok and felt a strong desire to help.

When the chance came in March 2005, he went to Phangnga and joined a group of volunteers to help in the recovery process. He spent his time helping to rebuild ruined communities and teaching English to children.

FOR THE BORED

After seeing people in desperate situations for several months, Gower came up with the idea of starting a traditional Muay Thai club for Thai children.

�Boxing is good for children. It�s good for their bodies, their hearts and minds,� he said. �Besides, children are more attracted to boxing than learning English. They looked bored when I taught them English, but they had fun in boxing class.�

CASH FLOW

Gower got assistance from Lez Quinn, a London-based hospice counsellor, who helped rent a two-storey warehouse where they could offer Muay Thai training and other activities.

He also received start-up donations from charity organisations in the UK, Sweden and Germany.

�I also spent money from my own savings and from my parents,� Gower said.

The money was used to set up the gym, including the purchase of equipment and paying rent of 4,000 baht a month. Gower also fights occasionally in local boxing contests to earn money to run his gym. But it is not enough.

�Now I have no more money to pay the rent. So I need help from others to get my gym to go on,� he said.

LETTING LOOSE

Gower said that he hopes the project will not have to be terminated. He believes that boxing helps to ease children�s stress and makes them more disciplined.

Saravuth Jindanil, 13, said he has been learning to box for several months.

�My friend told me about the gym and I was interested,� he said.

Saravuth said that his daily trips to the gym after school have helped to strengthen his body and have given him an outlet to release his anger.

GIVING BACK

Gower hopes he can continue this project to help Thai people.

�I love Thailand, and I�ll be staying here for good,� he said. �Thailand once healed my physical and mental wounds, so I want to give something back by doing something for people here.�

Exercises

Read the story. Then answer the following reading comprehension questions.

1. Why did Gower come to Thailand?

2. What does boxing help ease?

3. What did Gower do when he first went to Phangnga?

4. How does Gower earn money to run his gym?

	outlet (n): a way of expressing or making good use of strong feelings, ideas or energy mission (n): an important official job that a person or group of people is given to do hardship (n): a situation that is difficult and unpleasant because you do not have enough money, food, clothes, etc. second wind (n): new energy that makes you able to continue with something that had made you tired recovery (n): the process of becoming well again after an illness or injury desperate (adj): feeling or showing that you have little hope and are ready to do anything without worrying about danger to yourself or others terminate (v): to end ease (v): to become or to make something less unpleasant, painful, severe, etc. discipline (adj): well organised and following rules or standards