THE 77 children being cared for at Phuket Sunshine Village have more to smile about since a 92-year-old Austrian man and his wife gave the home a 100,000-baht donation.

Dr Gerhard Gergely and his wife Irmgard came to Phuket for a holiday and stayed at Layan Beach Resort.

During his visit, he had to stay in Bangkok Hospital Phuket for some treatment and was happy with the service he was provided.

Looking for a way to give something back, Dr Gerhard learned about Phuket Sunshine Village, a children's home on Koh Siray, set up to help children orphaned by the 2004 tsunami.

Since then, the home has expanded to assist other children at risk.

Phuket Sunshine Village is modeled after the SOS Kinderdorf concept, introduced by Austrian Hermann Gmeiner in 1948.

It provides shelter, food, training programs, reading material, playgrounds and activities for children in need.

The village was built with funds from the French Red Cross, and also receives support from the Lion's Club.

As many as 120 children can be accommodated in the project's 13 houses.

Donations are always welcome.

Phuket Sunshine Village Foundation, 15/20 Soi Namnungjaidiew, Moo 1, Tiempracha Utit Road, Rassada, Koh Siray, Muang, Phuket 83000

Tel/Fax: 076-252204. Email: info@phuketsunshinevillage.org. Website: www.phuketsunshinevillage.org