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Regent’s delegates attend Round Square
International Conference in India – part 2
The Conference Theme
Melissa Farnworth
The theme of the Round Square International Conference was
Vasudhaiva Kutambakam - The World Is One Family. We had several keynote
speakers expressing their ideas on this theme and its relevance with today’s
global society.
 Regent’s
delegates with the Regent’s flag.
After each speaker we split into our Barazza (discussion) groups, each named
after animals found in India, and discussed our own ideas on what we’d
heard. One speaker discussed ‘family’ from three points of view; political,
economic and environmental.
We learnt that people in the world have different circumstances but a common
adherence, a sense we are in this together; however ‘oneness’ only happens
when there is a crisis. A popular quote from a student delegate was: “Family
is like fudge - mostly sweet, but has a few nuts.”
The Slums
Marite Metsla
During the conference we had the chance to visit one of the slums in
India. What we saw was devastating to me. People lived on the ground
surrounded by waste, filth and dirty water. The water pipes were leaking and
most of what they drank could (and probably will) kill them.
Children were not protected from any diseases - no injections were available
for them. There was no access to medical help. There was a girl wrapped in a
purple cloth, she was 10 years old but looked half that age. Her parents
told us that she was not going to live much longer because she had polio.
The feeling I experienced from there is still with me now.
Barazza Groups
and Riikas
Marite Metsla
We had the chance too meet many people around the world at the
conference. After every keynote speaker, all of the students and teachers
were divided into different Barazza groups of around 14 people. We discussed
the world issues and also commented on the speakers’ opinions, thoughts and
ideas. From all of the group discussions the Daly College produced a final
conference statement, which was:
We also had an opportunity to be part of the Student Riikas where students
had the right to ask questions and present something about their school and
Round Square. From all of these student discussions everybody got many ideas
what to do back at their own schools and how to benefit from those
activities and projects. I am sure all of the students went back home more
inspired and positive than before.
Adventure Day
Se-Young Ahn (Angela)
The second day of the conference was the “Adventure Day”. All the
delegates of the conference were divided into groups to visit one of the 17
different adventurous places in India. The activities involved gentle
walking or trekking in cultural or historical places such as temples,
ancient cities and waterfalls.
 Hyun
Jin and Mel enjoying a traditional Indian dance.
The Amla was the destination for my adventure day. It was a fort situated in
a peaceful site away from the towns. Although we had to suffer four hours on
a bus without air-conditioner, the place was worth traveling for so long.
We were warmly welcomed by the local villagers with traditional music and
petals of the flowers. The fort itself was a great representation of Indian
architecture. It was a sparkling white quadrangle with bold arches and long
open terraces surrounding a green lawn in the courtyard.
The highlight in the fort was the Indian folk dance by young village girls.
They were dressed in shiny, colourful Indian costumes called a Sari and they
danced beautifully in harmony with the music. We could feel the lively and
amazing culture of India. Fort Amla was a great place where we could
experience incredible India.
Service Day
Hyun Jin Chung
On Monday, the 22nd of October was the service day. Early morning,
we all got ready for 4 hours of service. I went to Jyoti Nivas, which was a
home for the destitute and orphans. This is part of a ‘Missionaries of
Charity’ which was founded by Mother Teresa and now; there is one in most
countries in the world, run by the Sisters of Mother Teresa. Food and other
necessities were donated by the locals.
Firstly, we met the orphans who were all under the age of six. Twelve young
girls who have been brought up there were now looking after the babies. When
we entered the room, everyone started waving at the orphans, making faces at
them, and playing with them. I started playing with this girl who seemed
only 3 years old. As I played with her, I thought about my family and
couldn’t imagine how I could live without them. To think that these children
would grow up, not knowing their parents, made me quite emotional.
Fortunately, all these orphans would be adopted into a nice environment or
be sent to school when they grow up.
Later on, we visited adults who were homeless or disabled. They were all
polite and welcomed us warmly. Some people who suffered from illnesses
stayed behind to help others when they recovered. At the end of the
activity, we presented the Sister with brightly coloured curtains to
brighten up the orphanage.
During service day, I had the chance to realize that there are still many
people who need help. Since I am one of those lucky people who have the
ability to help, I told myself that I should do more to help others and make
them smile. It is important to remember more often that we are all part of
the same family.
Regent’s delegation with King
Constantine of Greece.
School No 8 holds open day to
mark Pattaya’s 29th education year
Boontarika Puechpan gives
a performance report.
A splendid show performed
by Pattaya School 8 students.
Just try it, it’s fun.
The “Worn Por Taksin”
dance.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya School No 8 held its open day on November 9, celebrating
Pattaya’s 29th education year and displaying projects undertaken by the
students.
Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn formally opened the event, and the
students put on a special dance performance for the assembled teachers
and parents. The dance was to support the Thai Youngsters Staying Away
from Drugs Project in Rayong, a competition in which the first prize is
the HRH Princess Ubolratana Trophy.
All schools under Pattaya City jurisdiction have held an open day during
the period July to November, the object being to mark the 29th education
year. Pattaya School No 8 was the last to hold the event.
The students put on a display of folk dancing and singing, and received
warm applause from the assembled parents, teachers and dignitaries.
The Love at Different Ages Project”, led by Nittaya Patimasongkroh,
distributed ice cream to the students.
Regional teams selected
for aerobics national championship
The All Star Challenge
Team from Ratchaburi shows their winning form.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Two teams have been selected from the Central and Eastern
regions to go forward to the To Be Number One Teen Aerobics and
Dancercise Championships that will be held in Bangkok in February.
Winning in the 8-12 years Junior category were the All Star Challenge
team organized under the Ratchaburi Public Health Department, while the
Born to Cheer team from Chonburi Public Health Department won in the
Teenager category.
The regional heats were held on November 17 and 18 at the Central
Festival Center in Pattaya. There are two categories, Junior and
Teenager, and the winner and runner-up in each category will compete in
the Thailand championships.
Runner-up to Ratchaburi’s All Star Challenge winner of the Junior
category was the Sermmit team from Ayutthaya Public Health Department.
Runner-up to Chonburi’s Born to Cheer winner in the Teenager category
was the Loser team from the Public Health Department in Chantaburi.
All four teams will compete in the Thailand championships on February 3
at MCC Hall in Bangkapi Mall, the first prize being the HRH Princess
Ubolratana Trophy, and with more than 1 million baht in scholarships as
other prizes.
Dr Bunchai Nawamongkolwattana, assistant director general of the
Department of Mental Health said that the To Be Number One project was
being held for the fifth consecutive year.
Before taking part in the Thailand championships, all the teams from
five regions throughout the country will attend camp for training under
qualified instructors.
Chonburi Deputy Mayor
Monthain Thongnit (right) presents the winning prize
to the All Star Challenge Team from Ratchaburi.
Water cooler presented to Ban Takhiantia School
Mmmmmm, delicious ice
cream.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
The YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center and the Pattaya Sports Club have
jointly presented a water cooler valued at 16,000 baht to Ban Takhiantia
School.
YWCA chairwoman Dujduan Ruangwettiwong, Nittaya Patimasongkroh, head of
the Warm Family Project, and PSC charity chairman Bernie Tuppin led the
presentation on November 20.
Included in the presentation was lunch with ice cream for the children,
organized as part of the YWCA’s ongoing school lunches project.
The water cooler, which has three nozzles, is being installed in the
school cafeteria so the students can have cold water with their meals.
YWCA members also visited the 10 children at the school who are studying
under scholarships awarded by the Warm Family Project.
Takhiantia School director Pornchai Bunlerttanachot said the school is
in need of further development. Standing on an area of 4 rai, it has
only one main building with 10 classrooms. There are 347 students from
kindergarten class 1 to primary school class 6, with a total of nine
teachers.
Bernie Tuppin (left),
Nittaya Patimasongkroh (center) and Dujduan Ruangwettiwong (right) help
the children take their first drink from
the new water cooler.
347 students at Ban
Takhiantia School show how glad they are to receive
the new water cooler.
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