BANGKOK, 7 March 2013 A foundation funded by a Belgian billionaire with a title of nobility has sought to realise the dreams of youths from hill tribe villages in northern Thailand.
The projects funded by the foundation include helping a group of young aspiring hill tribe footballers find a proper coach, hiring a professional magician from Belgium to teach young aspiring hill tribe magicians, and hiring a ceramic artist from France to teach hill tribe youths on ceramic work.
The foundation also invited a professional violinist from Europe to teach hill tribe girls to play the violin, and organized a concert for them in a Bangkok music hall.
Five hill tribe students have been sponsored by the foundation for their studies. Four have graduated with bachelor’s degrees, while one is still studying.
The foundation was set up by Gerald Rolin-Jacquemyns, or Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz, in memory of Gustave Rolin-Jacquemyns, who was advisor to King Chulalongkorn on legal reforms. The name “Chao Phraya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkit Foundation” is derived from the title given to the late Rolin-Jacquemyns by King Chulalongkorn.
