The YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center and Pattaya Sports Club
laid on a grand lunch for the children currently on remand under the
Chonburi Department of Youth Protection and Probation on March 27.
Bernie Tuppin (left) gives moral support to the children
as Nittaya Patimasongkroh (center) and Sopin Thappajug (right) look on.
The occasion was organized by Sopin Thappajug, head of
the Associate Judges at Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court. Nittaya
Patimasongkroh, former chairwoman of the YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center, and
Bernie Tuppin, charity chairman of the PSC, were also present for the
occasion that had been jointly arranged with the Thailand Supanimit
Foundation.
Thanadetch Srivichien, head of the Children and Youth
Shelter in Chonburi Province and Sakchai Kamchoo, director of the Banbung
Children and Youth Training and Practice Center, were at the offices of the
Department of Youth Protection and Probation to give the children a warm
welcome.
We will find the money to make a successful library.
The department is under the Ministry of Justice and is
divided into two sections, namely the Children and Youth Shelter, which
receives juveniles of seven years of age through to 18 years, and the
Banbung Children and Youth Training and Practice Center, which receives
those between the ages of seven and 24.
The Children and Youth Shelter is for those who have
recently committed a crime and are waiting for the next step in the court
process. On March 27, a total of 176 juveniles were on remand at the
shelter.
Let’s enjoy singing a song.
The Banbung Children and Youth Training and Practice
Center is for boys who have already been judged by the court, and at present
deals only with those who have been sentenced in Chonburi.
Sakchai said the center receives a budget for purchasing
equipment for the children to learn trades, such as welding, engineering,
building and hairdressing. There is, however, a lack of qualified teachers.
Presently there are 80 children at the center, which has a capacity for 300.
Sopin, who opened a new library during her visit, spoke
to the children and said learning was the route to a good and productive
life. Bernie Tuppin spoke on the importance of training, saying that it is
always possible to make a mistake when you are young, but that as you grow
up you have a responsibility to those around you, and that being good at
your work can bring pleasure to you and benefits to your family and friends.
Nittaya also spoke, and said that no one can choose where or how they are
born, but they can choose to be a good person and to have a good job and
consequently a good life.
The atmosphere at the lunch was lively, as the instructor
from the Supanimit Foundation brought musicians along to entertain everyone.
Having lunch together.
