In Pattaya Mail issue VOL. XX No.5, Friday, February 3, 2012, “Jesters’ Flood Relief Project”, I reported on the Jester’s Care for Kids’ participation in the renovation of a school in the village of Baan Laak Tak Pha in Amphur Nakon Chaisri.
This area relies heavily on the propagation of orchids and is renowned for its pomelos, but the recent floods devastated both of these industries by killing the trees and washing away the orchid farms.
The group, which includes the principal, faculty, Pattaya YWCA, Police Academy members, students and us.
The village itself was immersed for several weeks and the local school was badly damaged, when the Jesters agreed to help.
Update… On Sunday 4th March, I traveled with Jesters chairman, Lewis (Woody) Underwood to the village to see the completed renovations at the Wat Puttamrangsi School.
A before look at the same classroom.
We were met at the site by Noi from Pattaya YWCA who had originally alerted us to the difficulties being faced by these villagers and her husband Police Colonel Chatchanun, who was in charge of disaster relief in that area.
We were welcomed at the school by Principal Sathaporn Nalai and members of his staff along with many of the locals who had helped with the work. A tour of the renovated classrooms followed, both Woody and I were impressed with the quality of the work that had been done and heartened by the display of genuine gratitude displayed by these folks.
It was a real example of how a small isolated community can come together to overcome adversity.
Woody stands in front of the whiteboard in one of the new classrooms.
After the tour we were treated to a feast that had been prepared by the parents; a nice touch was added by the school band, who had given up their free time to entertain us with traditional Thai music.
I would like to thank all of those people who helped make this project a success with special thanks to Udom from the Police Academy, who recorded the project from start to finish with his camera and guided us on each visit in his ancient Datsun Sunny. The damage caused by the floods that ravaged many areas of Thailand may take many years to repair but Jesters Care for Kids are proud to have made a contribution to one small village and humbled by the gratitude shown by its residents.
