Still in need of funds for furnishings and other necessities
Baan Jing Jai Foundation Orphanage Director Piangta Chumnoi together with more than 75 children welcomed members of the local and foreign communities including generous sponsors to their newly completed house on October 7.
The gathering was organized not only to celebrate the building’s completion but also to raise more funds for new furnishings and other necessities in the new home. There was still a need for about 1.5 million baht to get the 22 bedrooms, library, music room, play rooms, kitchen and offices furnished with basic and durable furniture.
Piangta Chumnoi (3rd right) director of Baan Jing Jai Foundation introduces her building committee and other volunteers. (l-r) MC Peter Malhotra, Gudmund Eiksund, Nancy Bendburn, Sunanta Kunnuta, Vutikorn Kamolchote, Jon Hans K. Nyvoll, chairman of the building committee. Seated is respected elder John Haerum.
Benefactors from the Norwegian Properties Group Pattaya, Norwegian Church, Pattaya Sports Club, YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center, Pattaya Self Storage, and the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya attended in strength to give the project a little extra shove until fully completed.
Entertainment was provided by the children from Baan Jing Jai and Baan Pak Ping, and included choruses from members of the Naklua Church and the Mission Pattaya.
Piangta Chumnoi is the beloved ‘mummy’ to all her children.
The highlight of the afternoon was of course the most incredibly lovable Doc Penguino, magician, entertainer and lover of life. Doc Penguino performed his extraordinary show of psychic tricks which amazed and delighted kids of all ages.
Piangta said the children’s new home, located on 4.3 rai of land off Highway 7, is now 90 percent complete. It has 22 rooms including classrooms, activity rooms, and a grass field outside. “However, the home still lacks study equipment, necessities for living and facilities necessary for children’s routines. In all we still need 1.5 million baht.”
Baan Jing Jai Foundation and YWCA t-shirts and food from the Friend Bar Restaurant and Norwegian Church were sold during the day. Other forms of fundraising included the sale of raffle tickets and a challenge against Norwegian strongman John Robert Bø on the ab wheel rollout.
Radchada Chomjinda (Toy) Director HHN Foundation Thailand dropped by to give away tickets to the Carabao concert to be held on 18 October at Alangkarn theatre.
Bente and Elling Stangeland of Norway donated 135,000 baht which brought the total funds collected at the end of the day to 559,980 baht.
As a little bonus Irene Shuermann and Noi Emmerson, PSC Charity Chairperson presented 20 pairs of high quality children’s shoes donated by generous staff of BMW Manufacturing Thailand.
“Since its inception in 1997, the Baan Jing Jai children’s house has grown in size and now occupies three old buildings that house more than 80 orphaned and abandoned children ranging from one to 19 years of age,” Piangta said.
Piangta is flanked by Danny and Elly who also donated a large sum of money to help in the construction.
“In late 2010, we decided that we needed a new home and therefore we initiated this project to construct a purpose designed facility to accommodate some 100-plus children of similar age ranges. It was estimated that the estimated overall project cost would cost 26 million baht.
“A building committee was formed, chaired by Hans K. Nyvoll, with members Gudmund Eiksund, Stephen and Lamyai Beard, Jim Farmer, John Haerum, Vutikorn Kamolchote, Ponsawan Kankaew, Jan Olav Aamlid, and Rev. Surakit Kamonrat. Together a concerted effort was launched to raise funds to build the new facility. The committee discovered a site along Highway 7 and quickly raised the initial funds to buy the land.”
Hans K. Nyvoll, chairman of the building committee said, if all goes well, the children will be able to move into their new home on 16 January 2016.
This kindly gentleman bid top baht for the bright yellow doll.
Noi Emmerson (left) PSC Charity Chairperson and Irene Shuermann (2nd left) presented 20 pairs of high quality children’s shoes.
YWCA Bangkok-Pattaya Center led by Chairperson Praichit Jetpai (2nd left) set up a stall selling t-shirts and toys with all proceeds donated to the children’s home.
(l-r) Irene Schuermann, Jeffrey Gaudiano, MD of BMW Manufacturing Thailand and Vutikorn Kamolchote representing Rotary International District 3340 contributed to the success of the fundraiser for the children’s home.
The lovable Doc Penguino’s magical mischief never ceases to amuse the kids.
The Naklua Church Choir goes through their rendition of favourite songs.
Kids from the Mission were sensational in their song and dance routine.
Baan Jing Jai classical dancers awed the audience with their beauty and grace.
John Robert Bø seems amused as Gudmund attempts to beat him in the ab roll on challenge.
