Kelsey Baines Hands Across The Water Interview

Kelsey Baines Hands Across The Water Interview

Hands Across The Water is an Australian charity who is helping to make a difference and stop human trafficking in Thailand. Hands has built homes for young Thai girls that are most at risk of trafficking and have provided them with a stable home, education, health and food.

Kelsey Baines (daughter of Peter Baines, the founder of Hands), 17, spent a month volunteering at the homes and is now fundraising to help save these young girls lives.

For more information please see: www.femail.com.au/peter-baines-hands-across-the-water-interview

Interview with Kelsey Baines

Question: When did you first get involved with Hands Across The Water?

Kelsey Baines: I guess my first real encounter with Hands was when I made the commitment to do the bike ride in January of 2009. It was a big commitment for me to give up my summer holidays being a 13 year old girl and ride 800kms through Thailand.

Far before that, Hands had a huge impact on my life. Seeing how hard Dad was working to set up the first home has always amazed me but being in year three I had my questions on why Dad was gone all the time, I now understand and am happy he does what he does.


Question: Can you tell us a little bit about Hands Across The Water?

Kelsey Baines: Hands is an organisation working with children all over Thailand for many different reason's ranging from a home supporting tsunami victims, children effected by aids, a safe home for girls and boys who have been effected by human trafficking, a home for boys that have been effected by crime and many other homes supported by hands existing for different reasons.

Peter Baines is the founder of Hands and is also know to me and my two brothers as Dad. Peter is an inspiration to many but especially to me and my brothers.


Question: You recently spent a month in Thailand; what did you do when you were there?

Kelsey Baines: Yes, so I spent the whole of January volunteering which is usually when I do the bike ride over in Thailand. I have always wanted to get to know the kids closer and do something other than the bike ride to help the children. I don't know why but I felt that getting to know the kids I ride 800kms for every year is important. It was a big deal for me not to do the bike ride but was well worth it once I was there.

During the day I would volunteer in the kindergarten then in the afternoon I would catch the lorry (bus) over to the Orphanage where I would stay until Dinner. I mostly spent time with the children playing soccer, riding bikes, learning Thai and really just loving every moment.


Question: What did you learn from this experience?

Kelsey Baines: I learnt a lot.

I learnt a lot about myself while I was over there. It was a journey that many 17 year old girls can't say they have done. It was amazing to be so care free and have all the time in the world for these children. I learnt not to take life for granted as so many of us do, including myself. I have really learnt to appreciate what we have we are blessed with so many amazing opportunities and I am doing all I can to appreciate them.


Question: When do you hope to return to Thailand?

Kelsey Baines: I am planning on heading back over in September with Kobi a girl in my grade at school. At my school we go on a class trip every year and as I am in my last year we are going to China for a month. Kobi and I are planning on extending a week and spending some of that in the Phuket orphanage.


Question: Can you tell us about the upcoming Hands fundraising night?

Kelsey Baines: Yes, in July I am holding a dinner as a fundraiser and awareness campaign for human trafficking. The dinner is something I have worked really hard to pull together but will be well worth it in the end.

The aim is to see two girls minimum out of prostitution. It costs $1,500 ($AU) to rescue a girl out of the brothel and support them with education, healthcare, food and a shelter if they choose for a year. I hope to raise $3000 to meet my goal of helping at least two girls. The dinner will be a fun night for whomever wants' to come and support a great cause such as Hands Across The Water.

If you would like a ticket to the dinner there are only limited spots available so jump online to Kelseybaines.com or jump onto the Hands website.


Question: Can you talk about the work you do with Hands, whilst staying in Australia?
Kelsey Baines: I am currently on the board of Young Hands which is a group of about 10 people under the age of thirty actively engaging today's generation and sharing the word about Hands. We have only been up and running for a little while and currently we are working on a pen pal system for children in Thailand to engage with children all over the world. Right now we are in the middle of launching our first letter send with some of the kids in my school writing letter's to the children in the orphanages.


Question: How can Australians contribute to Hands Across The Water?

Kelsey Baines: We as Australians can do more then we think when can. Jump online and just a make an outright donation or you can sponsor a rider that has committed to raising $10,000, you can sponsor a child and many other ways. If you are looking for more info you can check out the Hands Across The Water website. Hands is a non for profit organisation is proud to say they have not spent a single cent of donors money, all of the funds go straight to the children.


Interview by Brooke Hunter