Fifty happy children from
the Fountain of Life Children’s Center were introduced to the
traditional side of Songkran during a Thai New Year celebration at the
day-care center. As shown here, they certainly enjoy pouring water on
their Buddha statue. However, when traditional activities finished,
they, too, brought out the water buckets for a modern Songkran water
fight.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Fifty kids from the Fountain of Life Children’s Center were introduced
to the traditional side of Songkran during a Thai New Year celebration
at the day-care center.
Senior citizens from the Banglamung Home for the Elderly and foreign
volunteers organized the Songkran activity to thank the Fountain of Life
shelter for allowing families to meet and pour water for Songkran Day to
ask for blessings from parents and grandparents.
Children from Fountain of
Life gently pour water on Sister Joan Gormley’s hands, asking for
blessing and expressing their gratitude.
The tradition has been passed down since ancient
times to show gratitude toward one’s parents, teachers, revered elders
and cousins. Water is poured on statues of Lord Buddha and water games
are played.
The Fountain of Life center organizes the traditional celebration each
year. After the ceremony, however, the water buckets come out as the
parents and kids enjoy the modern Songkran water fight.
Fountain of Life children,
parents, care givers and sponsors pose for a great Songkran 2014
commemorative photo.
Ajarn Sakulrat Throngsamran stated that she has
worked at Fountain of Life for 13 years; personally, she loves children
and today’s activities are for children to learn of Thai traditions and
to enjoy activities together. Children here are considered as special
since these children are from families with low income requiring extra
warmth and love. She is proud that all her children are happy while
playing water and had enjoyed today’s festivities
N’Nat, 4, stated that she is happy and loves playing Songkran. She
thanked her teachers for organizing the event today.
Miss Pauline Buchleither, French volunteer, stated that she has been a
volunteer in Thailand for over a year and she is very happy to be
playing Songkran with children, she is happy when she sees children
smile.
One the traditional
formalities were over, children took up the more modern-day water
splashing fun.
