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Six trees planted
at school sports field
Even a chore like planting
trees can be fun at school.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Students from Pattaya School No 6, Thamasamakee Temple, planted trees on
August 11 in honor of the birthday of Her Majesty the Queen, and as an
environmental conservation project.
Mayor Itthipol Khunplome presided over the planting along with Chanyuth
Hengtrakul, former member of parliament for Chonburi and members of Pattaya
City council.
The day started with the offering of food to 12 Buddhist monks from
Thamsamakkee Temple to make merit for the 76th birthday of Her Majesty the
Queen, which occurred on the following day, August 12.
The mayor then led the students and teachers in the planting of six trees in
the area around the school sports field.
Mrs Waree Thaijanya, director of Pattaya School No 6 said that in addition
to adding greenery to the area, the planting of the trees was a good example
of what can be done to help conserve the environment.
The mayor, students and
teachers plant trees
around Pattaya School #6 to help stop global warming.
Marching bands mark
time for contest
Mayor Itthipol Khunplome
and Sakol Phonlookin,
chairman of the Naklua-Pattaya Lions Club announce the marching
band competition to be held on September 6.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Pattaya City’s marching bands are readying themselves to take part in a
grand marching band competition to be held on September 6, the prize
being the HRH Princess Soamsawalee Trophy.
 One
of the city’s marching bands puts on s show during the announcement
ceremony.
Naklua-Pattaya Lions Club is working in cooperation with Pattaya City to
prepare the event, entitled the 2nd Pattaya Lions Club Marching Band
Competition, which in addition to the trophy will offer the opportunity
to win more than 100,000 baht in scholarships.
The competition will be held at the Banglamung School sports field.
A meeting took place on August 15 in the Thappraya meeting room at
Pattaya City Hall, chaired by Mayor Itthipol Khunplome and Sakol
Phonlookin, chairman of the Naklua-Pattaya Lions Club.
The competition will be divided into two groups, consisting of those not
older than secondary school class 6, and college students not over 22
years old.
Points will be awarded on visual effect, marching and maneuvering, and
elements of the music, including tone quality and articulation of the
wind section, and techniques and tone of the percussion section.
The bands can consist of students from different educational
institutions and include male and female members. No more than three
drum majors are allowed in any one band, and 30 members is the maximum.
The winner and the runners up will receive 20,000, 15,000 and 10,000
baht in order, with a consolation prize for all the other bands of 5,000
baht. The winning band in the secondary school class 6 and under
category will be presented with the HRH Princess Soamsawalee Trophy.
Record breaking International Baccalaureate results at Regent’s School Pattaya
Stuart Tasker
Head of Secondary
Head boy Girsh Balakrishnan accrued an outstanding 43 points, the
highest ever for a student of the Regent’s School, Pattaya.
Marcel Bandur, one of our Global Connect scholars, scored an excellent
39 points and Head Girl Yu-Chieh (Joyce) Lin and another Global Connect
scholar, Hannes Rohtsalu, each received 37 points, maintaining the
school’s tradition of excellent results in the International
Baccalaureate Diploma.
 Girsh
Balakrishnan
Overall our students obtained an impressive 17 maximum scores in
individual International Baccalaureate subjects.
Girish Balakrishnan: Business and Management, Spanish, Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Theory of Knowledge
Yu-Chieh (Joyce) Lin: Visual Arts, Extended Essay - Business and
Management, Theory of Knowledge
Marcel Bandur: Biology, Extended Essay - Business and Management
Lee Tae Kyong: Korean
Sara Menges: Visual Arts, Theory of Knowledge
Hannes Rohtsalu: Spanish, Mathematics, Theory of Knowledge
Applications to the UK have been popular for this year’s graduating
class, with students gaining offers to study in many well-respected
institutions right across the country. Imperial College, University
College and the colleges of Royal Holloway and Queen Mary have all
offered places to those of our students determined to head for study in
London. Throughout the rest of the UK, offers have been received by our
students applying to the universities of Bristol, Warwick, Bath, Exeter
and Leeds, among others. There have also been a substantial number of
applications to Scottish universities this year, including offers from
the highly-respected and established universities of Edinburgh and St.
Andrews.
Several students applied to study in the USA this year and, despite the
rather more arduous application process, have been successful in gaining
places at their universities of choice. Among these, Joyce Lin, our
departing Head Girl, has received offers to study Economics at the
Wharton Business School (U Penn), UCLA and the University of Michigan.
Girish Balakrishnan, our departing Head Boy, has been offered a place at
UC Berkeley to study Engineering.
The continued success of our Year 13 students demonstrates that young
people leave The Regent’s School Pattaya equipped with the academic
qualifications, extra-curricular experience, determination and ambition
they need to compete in an increasingly competitive world.
We wish all of our recently departed Year 13 students the very best of
luck and success in all their future endeavours.
Regent’s new staff spend a morning of induction
at the Fountain of Life
Paul Crouch
As part of their induction program to Thailand, Pattaya, The
Regent’s School and Round Square, all new academic staff and their
families were treated to a cultural insight on Tuesday August 19.
 Kindly
and efficiently organized by Sister Kanyanee, Sister Joan and Krue
Wannee of the Fountain of Life, over 30 Regent’s staff were treated to
‘a day in the life of the centre’ in an hour and a half. Welcomed with
cool drinking water and a quick tour of the building everyone was
quickly finding a seat in the library ready to watch an informative
program about the centre. It clearly set out the history and objectives
of the Fountain of Life and how a typical day may transpire for the many
children that attend. The new guests were soon aware of the many good
things that the centre offers to the street kids of Pattaya.
Inspired by the message that Sister Kanyanee, Sister Joan and Krue
Wannee had delivered in the library all the new staff were challenged to
make a new friend and find out a little bit about them. This task
involved the breaking down of cultural, language and inequality
boundaries. It was a huge success resulting in numerous new friendships
being made and many games also being initiated between the staff and the
children.
Before leaving much baht was departed with as many hand made cards,
beaded bracelets and t-shirts were bought and proudly displayed on the
way back to The Regent’s campus to continue the induction program.
The Regent’s School would very much like to thank Sister Kanyanee,
Sister Joan and Krue Wannee for the hospitality and informative talks
they provided, and we very much look forward to working with the
Fountain of Life for many more years to come.
Students complete
DARE anti-drugs course
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Students who have passed through the DARE course that teaches
them how to resist the temptations of drugs and to help prevent the
spread of narcotics through schools were presented with certificates on
August 13 at Pattaya School No 9.
 Students
from Pattaya School No 9 receive certificates after completing the Drug
Abuse Resistance Education: D.A.R.E (Thailand) program.
There were 122 students receiving the Drug Abuse Resistance Education
certificates at a ceremony led by Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn,
along with Pol Col Nopadol Wongnom, superintendent at Pattaya Police
Station, and the school’s director, Miss Sopa Kidhaphon.
DARE (Thailand) is held in cooperation with the Ministry of Education,
the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Interior, Bangkok Metropolis,
and the Royal Thai Police, and is an educational project designed to
give students the life skills they need to avoid involvement with drugs.
The project, based on a highly popular international program, involved
the assigning of DARE-trained police officers to educate the students,
giving them an understanding of how drugs and alcohol can destroy their
lives.
Pol Col Nopadol assigned Pol Sen Sgt Maj Thongchai Naknaen and Pol Sgt
Maj Tinnakorn Suwannakut to head up the training for the 122 secondary
school class students from Pattaya School No 9, the course being held
between June 9 and August 6.
Pol Col Nopadol said that the course had been very satisfactory, and
that the youngsters had paid close attention throughout the sessions.
They learned about addictive substances other than narcotics, such as
cigarettes and alcohol.
“This training taught the skills of personal decision making and
willpower, and showed the students how to help persuade their friends to
stay away from drugs.”
School raises money
to buy equipment
Sawittree Namwiwatsuk
Funds and educational equipment were presented to Pattaya School
No 4, Wat Nongyai, at a ceremony held on August 11.
 Mayor
Itthipol Khunplome (left) presents the educational funds to Mrs Nonglak
Chitnirat, director of School No 4.
The presentation was by the Fundamental Education Committee led by
Priest Yongyooth Khematharo, abbot of Wat Nongyai, who is the leader of
the monks’ section, together with Mayor Itthipol Khunplome, leader of
the laity section.
Pattaya City councilors and administrators joined teachers and parents
for the ceremony.
Mrs Nonglak Chitnirat, director of School No 4 said that the school’s
Fundamental Education Committee and the students’ parents had worked to
raise capital to provide teachers with educational equipment, and to
help keep the school surroundings neat and clean.
Apart from the distribution of approximately 100,000 baht in cash, six
computers were presented, bringing the total value of the presentation
to about 200,000 baht.
Pattaya School No 4 is located in Naklua Sub-district. The school was
established in 1938, and is under the responsibility of the Pattaya City
Educational Area. Educational level starts at kindergarten and continues
through to secondary level. Currently there are 972 students and 36
teachers. Most of the students are from underprivileged families, many
of which have migrated to Pattaya in search of work, although some are
local families. The parents tend to be vendors or manual workers.
A Miraculous Child
My Story - by Miss Tanaree Fungpinyopap
When my father Thanakorn first laid eyes on me he was
quite shocked; I was born without my arms and legs. Thankfully my father
was a strong man and he promised in his heart to love me despite my
disabilities. My mother, however, struggled to accept me for who I was.
My mother’s family also felt my disabilities would bring great shame
down on their decent name. They cruelly persuaded her to abandon me and
my father.
 Nui
poses in front of Father Ray’s portrait.
My mother left our home as I neared my first birthday. I would learn
later that she found a new husband and immigrated to Australia. My
father now had to assume the role of both father and mother. This was an
immense task for him to undertake; especially in those early years. He
worked tirelessly to make sure I always had food to eat and clothes to
wear. Despite the difficulties my disabilities presented he was always
patient and loving with me. He often reminded himself that he was
blessed with both arms and legs, whereas I, his daughter, was not. My
father was also very protective of me and had little patience for those
who looked down on me.
My father knew he couldn’t take care of me all his life. He understood
how important it was to teach me how to become independent, confident
and happy, so that one day I could take care of myself. Thankfully many
of my father’s friends also offered their support. Then Tim, my first
nanny, came into my life. Tim became like a surrogate mother to me. My
father often took me out of the house and brought me around the town and
countryside. People looked at me strangely. They turned their heads and
stared as we walked by. But my father was defiant and proud to be with
me. He helped teach me as a child not to feel shame for who I was. He
always told me that ‘you are disabled in body, but people who mistreat
you are disabled in the heart. You should be proud in everything you
have; you are entirely able as long as your spirit is strong in your
heart.’
When I was seven years old my father hired tutors to come to my home.
This would be my first step on the road to education. I really enjoyed
studying and I amazed everyone with my beautiful handwriting. I also
loved to research books and learn more about general knowledge. I was
delighted when I finished primary education; it was my first great
achievement. As I neared the end of senior high school I learned of the
Tongku School for adult education. This school allowed for its students
to study and work at the same time. I applied and was accepted there. I
studied here between the ages of eighteen and twenty. The principal of
the school, Komkrit Junkajon, was exceptionally kind and helped me a
great deal. One day he came to visit me at home. He confessed to me that
he found me an inspirational person who gave him great strength to fight
many of the problems in his own life. He said I was a miraculous child.
He said the world would be a better place if everyone had my positive
outlook on life.
My father got remarried. Soon I had two young brothers to play with.
Unfortunately this meant the expense on our household increased and my
father’s business, a car repair shop, struggled more and more. As our
debt mounted my father and step-mother argued often. The stress led to
my father suffering a brain hemorrhage and he passed away. This was a
terrible tragedy for me. Sadness overwhelmed me. I wished I could have
followed my father on his journey and not remain here all alone.
I didn’t think I could live without him.
His death led to further problems with my step-mom. She couldn’t handle
the stress of maintaining the household and she put the blame on me.
There was no love left for me in the house and I knew I had to leave. At
first I had nowhere to go. My real mother was now living in Australia
for over twenty years and I learned that she still couldn’t accept me
and my disabilities, even after all this time. But then a former
customer of my father’s shop, Daorung, who ran a tour guide company,
gave me a job as a tour operator. I worked here for nine months.
After I finished working here I was taken in by P’Nuch and moved to a
house near my old home. During this period I was desperately sad. I put
on a brave face and told everybody I was fine, but behind closed doors I
cried myself to sleep and prayed for my father to rescue me from my
loneliness. Then, as if my father heard my prayers, an old friend of his
helped turn things around for me again. After my father’s old friend
heard of my plight he offered to take me to Bangkok to live with him. He
bestowed on me the same love and kindness that my father did and he
restored a lost spirit in my heart.
It was during this time I applied for a two year course in Computer and
Business Management in English, at the Redemptorist School Pattaya. This
was the first chance I had to enter the school system on a full time
basis. At first I was both excited and nervous. Excited at the prospect
of learning, nervous that my disabilities would make me stand out. But
soon this worry vanished as I made many friends and immersed myself in
study. It felt like a second home for me. My grades were good and the
life lessons I learned here as a disabled person were invaluable. Fr.
Ray wished his students to become independent people and rightly proud
of themselves; I thank him for this legacy, as do all of my fellow
students at the school.
My world became even larger when Fr. Deang presented me with a red
electric wheelchair. It was as if I had been given a pair of wings as
now I could go anywhere I wanted to on my own. Entering my last term at
the school I got a job at the Postway Company and I worked in telephone
marketing and advertising. It gave me the opportunity to show that a
disabled person could work as well as anybody else.
My graduation day was a great success and delight for everybody. I
proudly received my certificate and felt ready to take on the world. I
was ready to climb all obstacles and fight for what I wanted; a good job
that would allow me to support myself and a family. My next step was to
begin a BA in Public Relations at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open
University. I will graduate in November 2008 and receive my BA next
year, and would like to thank all who have supported me in achieving
this.
After Postway Company closed down I was lucky enough to be taken on by
doctor Surapol as a salesperson. I traveled around Thailand with the
good doctor presenting products to consumers such as toothpaste,
shampoo, vitamins, ginseng coffee, wheat grass powdered drink etc… This
job was my first opportunity to really see the beautiful country of my
birth, Thailand, and was a liberating experience. I always wish the
doctor good fortune on his travels and thank him for showing me my
country.
Today I work, thanks to Kun Anon, at the Redemptorist Centre Pattaya. I
really like my job taking reservations and love spending time in the
beautiful natural surroundings of the centre. Here I have finally found
a peace in my life and can achieve all those things which my father
wished me to achieve; independence, self-belief and hope for the future.
Things I have learned in my life; ‘Positive thinking is everything -
speak only with good words - treat others as you wish to be treated -
give and you will receive.’
A short poem:
A disabled body becomes an obstacle,
If broken limbs defeat your heart,
But love does not come from outward appearances,
It comes from the hope we nurture inside.
Making Dreams Real for the Miraculous Child
As I stood at Fr. Ray’s
grave in silent prayer,
I didn’t notice that Nui was right there by my side.
Pratheep Malhotra
Governor, District 3340 Rotary International
I met Nui at the St. Nikolaus Church on Father Ray’s 5th Memorial Day. I
had just paid my respects to Fr. Ray Brennan and as I was walking out of
the cemetery, Nui and I almost bumped into each other. She was driving
her electric wheelchair. We laughed cheerfully. I stepped aside and gave
her the right of way. While walking side by side out of the cemetery we
talked.
 Nui
and I spoke of Father Ray and his kindness and love for his children.
I commented on the state of disrepair of her ‘wheels’. She said that she
had been using it for many years. It was given to her by Father Ray. I
noticed that the armrest was wrapped in paper and plastic. She said that
it was because electricity leaked somewhere and she would get electric
shocks if it wasn’t covered with those crude materials.
I mentioned that her vehicle needed a good wash and a lube job, but she
said that if water got into the system, it would destroy it. The wheels
on the wheelchair were tattered and just about ready to fall off. Nui
said that she could not afford to have them replaced.
We parted after we took photographs in front of Fr. Ray’s huge portrait
and I promised to look into trying to get her a new wheelchair.
I had a very strange feeling that this chance meeting with Nui was not
accidental. There was a message there somewhere.
I walked over to Premprecha Dibbayawan who was tending the garden in
front of St. Nikolaus’ statue. He asked me as to what I received from
Father Ray, having just visited his grave. I said, “I think he gave me a
sweet little girl called Nui, and that I was to help her get a new
wheelchair.”
Later, when I looked at the photographs taken that day, I shuddered as
tears filled my eyes, for lo and behold, there was Nui by my side paying
our respects to Father Ray. I didn’t even notice her as I prayed
silently at the foot of the grave. I knew for sure then, that Father Ray
did intend for our paths to cross.
A few days later, on my official trip to Nakhorn Ratchasima to attend a
Rotary seminar, I received an e-mail from Nui which said, “Dear K.
Peter, I am Nui. I met you on last Sat.16 at the Orphanage. Hope you
could remember me. Sorry for the late contact. If it’s possible please
sent the photos that we took together. I’m not sure that you can read
Thai or not so I decide to write in Eng. Also I attached my story to you
so you can know me. That’s all for now. Best Regard, Nui”
“How daft could I possibly be,” I thought, “here is another silent call
for me to help Nui.”
The very next day, I mentioned Nui to my fellow Rotarians, who seeing
that I was quite concerned, wanting to help Nui so badly that they
immediately stuck an ice bucket in my hand before dragging me up onto
the stage to sing ‘My Way’ promising to fill the bucket with donations,
so we could buy Nui a new wheelchair. The bucket did fill up very
quickly with more than 11,000 baht. But that would not be enough.
The next morning towards the end of the seminar President Maruai
Jintabunditwong of the Rotary Club of Buayai went up to the podium and
made another plea for help. This time we raised another 8000 baht.
Rotarians in Pattaya are now looking for ways to raise more funds to
help. The wheelchair costs almost 100,000 baht.
I am confident that with the help of charitable people and with Father
Ray’s blessing, we will be able to buy a new wheelchair for Nui very
soon.
Jesters Care for Kids Journal: Friday Edition
Double A Team with Pooh
Bear for Fair.
Lewis Underwood
News Flash! Glencore International (Indonesia) has just become
first ever Double Diamond Sponsor (800,000 baht)!
There are only 16 days left until our Main Event!
Yes, the Jesters Children’s Fair at Diana Garden Resort and
Driving Range on Sunday, September 14th in North Pattaya is just over
two weeks away!
And only 22 days left until the Jesters Party Night at Jameson’s Irish
Pub on Saturday, September 20th in Central Pattaya!
Check out PMTV programs for regular updates and video footage of last
year’s events.
Jesters Children’s Fair to be highlighted by Grammy’s
teen band: B.O.Y.
Our ever resourceful Capt Steve Ponter and his Double A team
have successfully landed the tremendously popular Blood of Youth, or
B.O.Y., a teen boy band from Thai GMM Grammy, to perform at the Fair
this year.
 Shaq’s
golf shoes go on the auction block.
Not only has the band agreed to put on a show, but also to sign
autographs and pose for photos with their fans. Renowned ‘M’ from the
Grammy music channel will introduce the band and emcee while they are on
stage.
According to the local Thai Teen music magazine, Kim’s bible, the
quartet, comprised of James, Teng-Neung, Leo and Mouse, are ‘the rage at
the moment’. If you do not believe that, just ask your teenage children.
Horseshoe Point details their extravaganza planned for
the Fair
We met with activity coordinator, Khun Koh, and PR Manager
Khun Poupee last week to discuss the details of their exciting concept
this year. Their main attraction will be the inflatable 10 m by 10 m by
50 cm pool that will provide the surface for floating large plastic
capsules that children actually get into through a zippered seam. They
then are free to maneuver across the pool surface by moving around
inside these capsules. This carefully supervised activity has been a hit
with the kids at schools, shopping centers and at Horseshoe Point,
itself.
The HSP site, which will contain 3 marquis tents situated around the
water activity, will also include pony rides and other children’s
activities. Their Club team will even provide entertainment on the
stage.
This fun-filled area will be located between the children’s arcade and
the rear parking lot and adjacent to Pop’s Music Workshop for budding
musicians.
Also nearby will be the ever popular climbing wall again kindly provided
by Geckotech and Clough Engineering. It all adds up to plenty of
attractions and activities for children of all ages.
The Pushbike
enthusiasts, Erik and Robert,
are in training again
Yes, the Scandinavians are back at it and braving the diverse
elements of searing heat and pouring rain as they relentlessly train
daily for their annual sponsored bike ride. They will be riding from
Trat to Pattaya again this year, a distance of 276 kms, starting on the
morning of Saturday, September 20th and arriving in the early evening at
Jameson’s in time for the opening of our Party Night there.
Since 2001 these magnanimous guys have raised 2,736,286 baht for us and
have ridden 1531 kms, which included 50-km walk in 2002 on our Fair day.
So if you see these big guys out on their bikes give them a shout of
encouragement, or better yet, stop and give them a donation. After all,
it all goes to the kids.
For more information about their adventures, visit Erik’s site:
http://www.scandibar .com/bike06.htm
Shaq’s Golf Shoes go on the auction block
It is always nice to get something unique for our auction to
spice things up and what could be more unusual than the golf shoes worn
by NBA star Shaquille O’Neal. Colloquially know as Shaq, he is one of
the most powerful centers ever to play professional basketball in the
US. But then standing over 7 feet tall, or 216 cms, and weighing in at
340 pounds (155 kgs) the latter is an understatement. His shoe size, by
the way, is 22 by American standards, which makes it about a size 58 in
Europe.
Go on line and make a bid on this item and/or on one of the many other
varied collectables at www.care4kids.info
We hope to see all of you, your friends and families very soon!
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