Committee members
announce the Ban Jing Jai project at a press conference in the middle of
October.
Staff reporters
The Ban Jing Jai orphanage announced plans to build a
new shelter in Nong Plalai once it collects about 18 million baht in
funding.
Ban Jing Jai Foundation Director Piangta Chumnoi and
a building committee chaired by Hans K. Nyvoll unveiled the project to
potential sponsors at a press conference held on October 15 at the Linda
Restaurant on Thappraya Road near Jomtien Beach.
Piangta said, “Since its inception in 1997 the Baan
Jing Jai Children’s Home has grown in size and now occupies three old
buildings that house over 80 orphaned and abandoned children ranging
from 1 to 19 years of age. Late 2010 saw the beginnings of a project to
construct a purpose designed facility to accommodate some 100 plus
children of similar age ranges.
“The first step was to turn what started as a well
meant effort to look after a few helpless children into a fully fledged
Charitable Foundation, which was finalized in February 2011 as the Baan
Jing Jai Children’s Home Charitable Foundation, with a management of six
to oversee the day to day management of the home.”
She went on to say that, “A suitable site for the
home, comprising approximately 4.2 rai (6,750 sq.m.) was identified and
the purchase completed in March 2011 with monies previously collected
for that purpose together with a bridging loan. The site is situated
approximately 1 km from the junction at the School of the Regents just
off Highway 7.”
Plans have been prepared by experienced locally based
overseas architects, free of charge, to provide an initial building
containing bedrooms for 40 boys and 40 girls, a 20 cot nursery, First
Aid Room, Library, Art Room, Music Room, and Leisure Room together with
offices, kitchen and maintenance areas and ancillary rooms, covering an
area of some 1350 sq.m. In addition there is space for a large
playground area and gardens.
A committee has been established to organize and
raise the funds required to build the new home and oversee the
construction process and is completely independent from the day to day
fund-raising operation of the home which continues as usual. The initial
fund-raising for the project has already started. It is hoped that the
building project will commence before the end of 2012.
It is envisaged that companies and individuals will
donate according to their means either into the general building fund or
by selecting a particular part of the project. If a donor wishes, the
part of the project funded by them can be designated with a name board
as requested. All major contributors will be recognized in a central
location at the home.
Construction costs are estimated at 18.5 million
baht, but the foundation has to date only collected about 1.12 million
baht and is actively seeking donations. Those interested in helping can
contact Mrs. Piangta at 084-614-4389 or Gudmund Eiksund, e-mail:
gudmund_eiksund @baanjingjai.org
Baan Jing Jai Office is located at 82/1 Moo. 6
Nongprue, Banglamung Chonburi. Tel. 038-730-125, 084-6144-389,
089-6787-041 or visit their website www.baanjingjai.org
The next fundraising event, the Baan Jing Jai
Christmas Santa Scramble, will be held on December 2 at the Pattana Golf
Club. To sign up, contact Stephen Beard at the Haven Hotel on Soi 13,
email <[email protected]>
