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The Walker gives free feet examinations for children at Mercy Center
Staff reporters
Pattaya is a unique place, where when someone new moves
here to live or work, notwithstanding the modernity and sophistication of
the city, he or she immediately sees beyond the facade and discovers that
there are a lot of people both adults and children who are underprivileged
and in need of care.
Rudi van der Lubben, right, and his international
standard trained team give the children the best of attention.
One such person is R.H.van der Lubben, a podiatrist who
has just opened a branch in Pattaya-Jomtien called The Walker.
Rudi who has a love for children heard about the Mercy
Center and the children living under the care of Pastor Fred Doell. He
decided to do something nice for them.
On July 24, together with his team of specialists and
special equipment, Rudi visited the Mercy Center to give the children a free
checkup.
Rudi informed us, “Flat feet is a common problem
especially in children between the ages of four and eight however, if
treated, can be fixed within a few months with the simple insertion of an
inlay in their shoes.”
On that day, Rudi examined eighteen children at the Mercy
Center and was delighted to find that only two of them needed some extra
treatment.
Pastor Fred Doell who runs the Mercy Center was delighted
that Rudi came to examine the kids. Rudi was also kind enough to examine the
feet of the teachers at Mercy and found that one of them needed a little bit
of treatment.
The Walker, established in Thailand ten years ago, is an
institute, which specializes entirely on foot disorders and related
symptoms. The Jomtien clinic is located in View Point Village on Soi
Chaiyapruek. For appointment call: 08 7133 1280.
Children at
the Mercy Center excitedly wait
for their turn to have their feet examined.
Lions Club of Pratumnak Pattaya celebrates 20th anniversary
Members cheer as Sonthaya Khunplome
lights up
the laser sphere setting off the 20 th
anniversary festivities.
Phasakorn Channgam
The Lions Club of Pratamnuk Pattaya celebrated 20 years of
community service with a roaring celebration at the A-One Royal Cruise Hotel
July 24.
Chartered March 29, 1990 with 36 members, the club today has
30 members.
“On our 20th anniversary, we would like
to recognize and thank our members, especially all our past presidents, who have
lived and worked together in fellowship for so many years following the
philosophy and noble principles of “We Serve,” said Past President Naowarat
Khakhay, organizer of the party. “We are dedicated to working together to bring
relief to our fellowman especially those underprivileged men, women and children
who desperately need a helping hand.”
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club
organization, with 1.35 million members in more than 45,000 clubs in 206
countries and geographic areas. Founded in 1917, Lions are best known for
programs to fight blindness. The “Sight First” program conducts vision
screenings, equips hospitals and clinics, distributes medicine and raises
awareness of eye disease,
Lions also actively participate in many other kinds of
community projects, including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and
aiding seniors and the disabled.
Lions clubs were first introduced to Thailand in 1959. Today
there are more than 8000 members in 320 clubs nationwide.
PSC makes donation to
Khopai Kindergarten School
Pim Seaton is the Project Director of the Seaton Foundation,
and she runs the kindergarten school located just off Pattaya Tai in the centre
of one of the largest housing areas for families with some of the lowest incomes
in Pattaya.
PSC Charity Chairman, William Macey, right, presents the
computer to Pim Seaton at the Khopai Kindergarten School.
The families have very poor housing and the parents are often
working long hours leaving the children with a friend or another member of the
family.
Many members of the families do not have paper documentation
to access basic government service like health care and education. But Pim and
her staff spend many hours caring for the children whose ages range from 3 to 6
years.
The Pattaya Sports Club was asked to help and they were able
provide a donation of a computer and a monthly amount towards the cost of food.
Some of the young children from the kindergarten
who will benefit from the PSC donation.
Pattaya Congregation
spreads the good news
Brother Dino Bellen expounds on the importance of worship in
the true church
As members of the church worldwide celebrate the 96th
year anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), brethren from
Pattaya Congregation conducted a Grand Evangelical Mission held on July 26at the
Grand Sole Hotel.
The brethren joined hands in inviting guests and resulting in
202 guests, which included Italians, Japanese, Thais and Filipinos attending the
missionary gatherings.
Brother Dino Bellen, the resident minister in Thailand,
expounded on the importance of worship in the true church. In order to aid the
congregation in understanding the lessons, a projector screen displaying
biblical verses was used during the homily.
A short program followed wherein Goodies Angels (brethren
from Locale of Bangkok) performed acrobatic acts, much to the delight of the
audience.
After the service, light snacks and refreshments were served.
For those who want to learn about the Iglesia ni Cristo
(Church of Christ) and its biblical teachings, you may attend our regular study
on biblical doctrines held at Soi 1, Khao Thalo, Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya City.
PCEC members given an in depth look
at Buddhist art & sculpture
Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg welcomed everyone to
the regular PCEC Sunday meeting on July 25. After the usual opening
announcements, Richard called on Harry “Sig” Sigworth to introduce the guest
speaker. “Sig” then introduced fellow member Madison Morrison to tell everyone
about the exotic elements in popular Thai sculptures. Madison is from the USA
and is a graduate of two prominent universities; Yale where he earned his
Bachelor degree and Harvard where he earned his Master and PhD degrees. “Sig”
also mentioned that Madison is at work completing a 26 volume cosmological or
universal epic called Sentence of the Gods.
PCEC member Sig Sigworth introduces
fellow member Madison Morrison to tell the audience about the exotic elements in
popular Thai sculptures.
Madison said that he has undertaken a study of Buddhist art
during the past two years. He pointed out that he is an amateur in this area as
it would take several lifetimes to become a true expert. He became interested in
Buddhist art through his living in Thailand and travels in Southeast Asia. He
said his talk would be about twelve Indian-influenced copies of Thai and Khmer
sculptures and reliefs, all purchased in local Jomtien sculpture yards and
assembled in a deliberate order on the balcony of his condominium. He has
studied these with Thais knowledgeable about native and exotic iconography. He
said after presenting the twelve items, he would then discuss several books he
has read and recommends for anyone wishing to learn more about Thai art or
Buddhism.
Madison mentioned many books that members might like to read
to further their knowledge in Buddhist art; such as “Angkor Wat” by Eleanor
Mannika. Madison himself is at work completing a 26 volume cosmological or
universal epic, called “Sentence of the Gods”.
Madison proceeded to display on the large screen photographs
of the twelve sculptures providing interesting commentary on each; pointing out
the Indian, Thai, and Khmer influences combined within the figures. He then
proceeded to show pictures of various book covers commenting on the authors and
the nature of the particular book, noting which would be of interest to the
casual reader and which was directed to the more serious student of Thai art and
Buddhism. He showed 7 publications about Thai art, another 11 books about
Buddhist art, another 3 books that would be useful in the study of Buddhism as
practiced in Thailand. He also recommended one particular book that could prove
very useful in the study of Buddhism entitled Buddhist Dictionary: A Manual
of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines.
For those that were interested in knowing more about
Buddhism, especially as it is practiced in Thailand, he recommended they read:
(1) Buddhism in Practice, an abridged version of a larger anthology first
published in 1995 containing 35 essays by various hands on the ways in which
Buddhist doctrine has been put into practice over the centuries, in local
contexts; (2) Being Benevolence: The Social Ethics of Engaged Buddhism,
noting that engaged Buddhism is a movement that counts among its leaders the
Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, one of the principal strategists of the Buddhist
anti-war movement, and Aung San Suu Ky, leader of Myanmar’s democracy movement;
and (3) Buddhism and Science: Breaking New Ground, contains essays by
professionals, most of whom have academic degrees both in science and in
Buddhist studies. Madison noted that anyone examining the subject “Buddhism in
Art” from a contemporary perspective should be aware of Buddhism in relation to
science as well as in relation to modern social, economic and political thought.
He also recommended the book, Sutasoma: The ancient tale
of a Buddhist-Prince from 14th century Java, as an
example of a Buddhist epic. Madison concluded by showing pictures from several
books about Buddhist murals. Madison answered many questions from the audience.
For those that would like to see the photographs and commentary, Madison’s
lecture notes and photos are now on the Club’s website at
www.pattayacityexpatsclub.com – go to the General Interest category and select:
Thai Sculpture and Buddhist Reference Books.
Richard updated everyone on upcoming events and called on “Sig” to conduct
the Open Forum; always informative and often humorous where questions about
living in Thailand and Pattaya in particular are asked and answered.
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