Children’s Day 2004 was another celebratory day for the
Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institute in Huay Pong, Rayong, as they
officially opened a newly renovated school building, complete with all the
excitement that goes with celebrating such an occasion.
School
building: Before
The festivities began at approximately 11 a.m. on
Saturday, January 10, when the thundering sound of Harley Davidson
motorcycles rumbled through the Huay Pong grounds, signaling the arrival
benevolent Jesters Motorcycle Club.
School
building: After
The Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity Drive 2003 once
again put to good use the money raised through last year’s fundraiser. One
of this year’s beneficiaries was the renovation of the educational
facility at Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institute in Huay Pong.
Utai
Suwan, Rayong deputy governor strikes the gong for the official start of the
opening ceremonies. In the background (L to R) Helle Ransten, Preecha
Jitbunjong and Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood wait for the final signal to open
the building.
Along with the Jesters MC and a team of supporters,
committee members, government officers, local organizations and children
were present to witness the opening.
(L
to R) Helle Ransten, RLC welfare coordinator, Utai Suwan, Rayong deputy
governor, Lewis Underwood, president of the Jesters and Preecha Jitbunjong,
Huay Pong superintendent perform the ribbon-cutting.
As the oratories commenced, Preecha Jitbunjong, Huay Pong
superintendent, welcomed everyone to the occasion. He expressly thanked the
Rayong Ladies Circle (RLC) for their hard work and effort to assist the
institute through the years.
Helle
Ransten, welfare coordinator for the Rayong Ladies Circle gives a brief
rundown on the project carried out at Huay Pong.
He also thanked the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’ Charity
Drive for making a further renovation possible, adding that despite the
small budget that is provided by the government it is through the work of
the private sector and charity organizations that make it possible for these
children to lead a better life, despite them having been discarded by their
families and society. In closing, Preecha made a promise that he and his
team would do all they could to assist the children entrusted to their care.
“Ok,
give us your handsome look.” These kids look very smart in their brightly
colored shirts specially worn for Children’s Day.
Utai Suwan, Rayong deputy provincial governor, added that
Huay Pong is just one of many institutes around the country in need of help,
and that the provincial government is thankful for the support private
organizations provide in helping Thailand’s future: the children of today.
A
quick tour of the classrooms, Deputy Governor Utai Suawan (right front) eyes
the new kids’ desks and asks if anyone wanted to try them out.
During her speech, RLC welfare coordinator Helle Ransten
recounted the RLC’s history with the Eastern Child Welfare Protection
Institute in Huay Pong, noting how it is their main charity project. As a
gesture of gratitude, Helle called Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood to the podium
and presented him with a plaque of appreciation.
The
joy of giving.
Woody spoke of how the Jesters ‘Care for Kids’
charity drive came about and thanked all those involved with the
organization and execution of last year’s charity drive, which netted over
4 million baht, 795,000 baht of which went to this project. He thanked Eric
Johanssen for taking time out of his busy schedule to renovate the building
and pledged to partake in the joint effort to assist in repairing the next
building, a dormitory housing approximately 30 boys.
The
joy of receiving.
The 50-year-old building is in a state of disrepair and
still has the jail cells from 46 years ago when the facility was used as a
prison for wayward children.
During the changeover in 1957, it was transformed into a
dormitory on the upper floor and a storage facility on the ground floor.
Renovation costs are expected to exceed 1 million baht and will be a joint
effort by a number of local organizations to complete the building and bring
it up to a reasonable and acceptable living standard.
The
group gathered for photo in front of the newly renovated education facility.
Renovations on the secondary school building have been
started and are being taken care of by the local manufacturers, General
Electric Company (GE). This restoration project has also been publicized
with high level media coverage both in the Thai and English press. Without
the wide-spread attention it received, it is doubtful the project would have
taken place.
‘Wild
Bill’ Freeman on his trusty steed rides up to where the action is for
Children’s Day after the official opening of the school building.
Huay Pong is just one of 30 such welfare institutes
around the country that takes in children from all provinces. The government
allowances barely cover the cost of three square meals per day and very
little is left over for clothing, hence the need for the private sector to
become involved.
After the formalities, everyone joined the Children’s Day celebrations
at the dining hall area where there was plenty to eat, live music from the
students of Rayong Tech College and lots of fun and games to enjoy.
Huay
Pong children put on a great show.
Talented
students performed a traditional Thai musical instrument show to complete
the morning event.
