Australia’s foreign minister meets Bangkok’s ‘slum sister’

Posted by admin on July 16th, 2008 filed in Bangkokians, Culture shock, Living here

The new foreign minister of Australia had a remarkable request for embassy officials organising his first voyage to Thailand two weeks ago. The minister wanted to meet Sister Joan Evans, nicknamed ‘Slum Sister’.

Klong Toey slum

It doesn’t happen often that foreign government officials visit Bangkok’s biggest slum, Klong Toey. But the Australian minister, Stephen Smith absolutely wanted to meet the 76-year-old nun whose work with the needy has won her a small amount of fame in Perth, where he and the nun originate from.

Since 1992 Joan Evens has worked and lived in the slum community, helping to educate and feed the poor people. Smith’s visit was a fast show of encouragement and support, which was highly appreciated by the sister, who receives frequent donations from expatriates in the country, the embassy, plus Western Australian supporters.

More than one million Bangkokians live in slums.  More on Sister Joan Evens