Fr. Michael Picharn Jaiseri,
president of the Father Ray Foundation, greets city councilmen and honored
guests.
Emma McNamara
For the past 11 months, those at the Father Ray Foundation have been
hard at work, knocking on doors, calling on friends and supporters to give to
the fundraising campaign for the Father Ray Center for Children with Special
Needs. On 24th March, the time had come to see all that work begin to take
shape.
Wittaya Kunplome, president of the
Chonburi Provincial Council, presents the official opening speech.
In the presence of Phra Panya Rattanaporn, Mayor Itthiphol
Kunplome, Wittaya Kunplome, Father Weera Phangrak, and Father Kritsada
Sukkaphat, honoured guests and benefactors, the ground breaking for the new
Father Ray Center for Children with Special Needs was celebrated with much joy
from the children and families who will attend the center.
The center has grown out of the obvious needs of families in Chonburi province
who have children with autism, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other
intellectual disabilities, all special in their own right. The new 4-storey,
3150 sq. m. building on the main Father Ray Foundation site, located on
Sukhumvit Road, will give our 100 children and youths the attention and
resources they deserve, while giving us the ability to expand our project to
assist a greater number of families. We will provide children with schooling,
therapy and family support they need to lead them towards a more independent and
enriching life. Father Dr. Michael Picharn, C.Ss.R., Vice President of the
Father Ray Foundation, has high hopes that the new center will be completed and
open by the end of this year.
(From 2nd left to right) Surat
Mekavarakul, CEO of the Mike Shopping Mall, Fr. Michael Picharn Jaiseri,
President of the Father Ray Foundation, Chucheep Saisawat, president of the
Redemptorist school’s sponsorship committee and Rattanachai Sutidechanai, City
Council member region 2 stand before the opening ceremony banner.
In a sea of white t-shirts - designed by one of our teenagers
with autism - the staff, family members and children were all in awe with the
amount of support from the community. Looking across from the ceremony site
towards the lone room we have been using for the past five years, the feeling of
hope and optimism was felt by all, especially our teachers who dedicate their
days helping our children. Although Teacher Nuth, the head special needs teacher
at the center, was busy all day organizing and making sure the ceremony ran
smoothly, she was able to take a moment to stop and take it all in. “This is
really something special… look at everyone here, they are here for our
children.”
Listening to the cheers and seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces when the first
foundation stone was laid, reaffirms the importance of this project and the
positive impact it will have on the lives of so many people.
Many sponsors received
certificates from the Father Ray Foundation.
The ground has been blessed; prayers have been said, and now
is the time to watch the construction magic happen. The future of our children
and their families are now looking to be much brighter, thanks to our generous
supporters. We have come a long way, but we continue to need support. Please
consider helping us change the lives of these special children. Your support can
make all the difference.
Follow the construction progress at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUfjUI8NLkc
Local politicians and administrators of the Father
Ray Foundation pose for a commemorative photo after the foundation stone placing
ceremony.
Government officials receive blessings from the
Buddhist monks.
Fr. Michael Picharn Jaiseri, president of the Father
Ray Foundation, leads the Christian blessing ceremony.
(From 2nd left to right) Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome,
Fr. Michael Picharn Jaiseri, Wittaya Kunplome, Fr. Pattarapong Srivorakul and
Surat Mekavarakul, place the foundation stone.
Wittaya Kunplome pins down the posts.
Honored guests and Father Ray Foundation
administrators officially launch construction of the Father Ray Center for
Children with Special Needs.
