During the great floods of 2011, a group of people from the public and private sector came together to form the Pattaya Relief Group whose mission was and is to help the people who suffered immeasurable losses caused by natural disasters or other misfortunes.
In December 2011 as floods receded, Steve Graham, MD of European Security Concepts (ESC) and head of the group said, “More aid and assistance will be needed to return the inundated regions to normal. We have initiated more fundraising efforts to help with the post flood cleaning and renovation programs.”
Members of the Pattaya Relief Group together with volunteers and their children at the center are all smiles during the official handover. (l-r) Samran Naepong (ESC) Steve Graham (MD ESC), William Macey (PSC), Pol. Lt. Col. Preecha Samrit, (5th left), Peter Malhotra (4th right), Gudmund Eiksund, (3rd right) President Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, Korn Kitja-amorn (2nd right) and Supang Samrit (right) director of the ALSC.
During that period and the present many renovation projects have been implemented bringing relief to hundreds of families in the central plains of Thailand.
Another area of concern that many may have overlooked is right here in Pattaya where regular flooding has also caused severe hardships to our citizens. During heavy rainstorms many people living in the low lying areas have also had to endure tremendous physical and mental suffering as they saw their homes inundated.
An ESC worker prepares a base coat before applying the final color.
One of the damaged homes was the Autistic Life Skills Center in soi 46, off Sukhumvit Road.
Members of the Pattaya Relief Group, having visited the home on May 2, decided that it was a worthwhile project and that immediate assistance was necessary.
Within a matter of 2 weeks a team of workers was sent into the centre to refurbish the entire premises. Construction was quickly completed and with the Pattaya Relief Group’s funds the room was soon filled with a new white board and tools for helping develop autistic children’s muscular and physical skills, their communication abilities and memory retention.
The old air conditioner was expensive and inefficient, and needed to be replaced.
The repairs covered all the details, including new toilets, air conditioning, fans and teaching materials. ESC welfare coordinator Samran Naepong also delivered 10 cabinets to store all the new items.
On May 21 the completed premises was officially handed over to Supang Samrit, president of Autistics Life Skills Center and Thailand Autistics Foundation, Pattaya branch.
In attendance were Steve Graham, MD of ESC, Gudmund Eiksund, president of the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, William Macey, Charity Chairman of the Pattaya Sports Club and Peter Malhotra, MD of the Pattaya Mail Media Group.
ESC welfare coordinator Samran Naepong assembles cabinets to store all the new items.
Supang was overjoyed and ever so grateful saying, “I thank the Pattaya Relief Group from the bottom of my heart for helping society and for helping renovate the center, making the children’s dreams come true by giving them such a beautiful home. Now we will be able to accept more children who need our help.”
Patchamomt Tohmudbumrung, the mother of an autistic child and volunteer at the center said, “I am extremely delighted to see that the activities rooms have been refurbished by the benevolent Pattaya Relief Group. This renovation is of utmost benefit to the children and I am happy that my child and the other children here will get an opportunity for a better education at their new home.”
The finished center is 100% better now.
The center was established in 2009 to help not only parents understand and learn about how to care for their special children but also to help train the children to develop skills and abilities so that they can look after themselves as much as possible.
The Autistic Life Skills Center currently cares for eight children, offering lessons in language, communication, social and mobility skills.
This young girl is already learning new skills at the center.
The ‘Pattaya Relief Group’ has amongst its supporters the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation, Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya, Pattaya Sports Club, Pattaya Mail Media Group, St Andrews International School, Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard and many more who have contributed in cash or kind.
The Autistics Life Skills Center is located at 186/24 Moo 9 Nongprue Banglamung Chonburi 20150. Contact Supang Samrit, telephone number 087-0253020, fax: 038-429120 email: dek: [email protected]
A happy day for all when the new air con arrives.
ESC welfare coordinator Samran Naepong points out another area that could use some help to Supang Samrit, president of the Autistics Life Skills Center and Thailand Autistics Foundation, Pattaya branch.
