On the morning of Thursday 14th June, the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind has the honour of welcoming Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to officiate over the opening ceremony of the newly constructed Library & Learning Center.
The school is under the patronage of Her Royal Highness, and she has visited the school on several occasions, the first time being over thirty years ago.
Upon arrival at the school in North Pattaya, Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Father Michael Picharn Jaiseri, C.Ss.R. As Vice President of the Father Ray Foundation, Father Michael welcomed the distinguished guest on behalf of the faculty, the students and those friends and supporters who had gathered for the ceremony.
It is always an honour for the students at the school to welcome distinguished guests. Her Royal Highness was aware that the majority of students were unable to see her, so she took time to meet with the students privately, away from the cameras and crowds, and while they could not see her, they were able to listen to her words as she offered them advice and encouragement.
The students now have a purpose built library, complete with a vast selection of books in the Braille format, both in Thai and English.
It also has machines so the students can listen to audio books, and others that magnify words on a page so that visually impaired students can read them.
The library is run a by a totally blind former student who arrived at the school as a four year old and is now twenty two years of age. He is one of hundreds of young children who came to the school to be educated and who are now leading an independent life.