The Rotary Club of Bangkok South made its annual pilgrimage to the sunny shores of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in Pattaya on Thursday the 13th of March for the Kids Day Out.
Ten coaches were used to transport the 300 children and over 30 volunteers from Bangkok to Pattaya.
Now in its 17th year, this event is the highlight of many of the kid’s calendars as they get to swim in the sea, play on the beach and enjoy the fresh breeze drifting across the bay.
The children are having great fun playing in the Royal Varuna Pattaya pool.
Many of these children have physical disabilities and spend most of their time in care and rarely get a chance to be out in the open.
The volunteers were made up of Rotarians from the Bangkok South Club, some local Pattaya Rotarians and students from ABAC University and Chonburi International School.
The children are all happy on this day.
The students said that they realize that we are all equal and all human and that we need to help the people who need us, no matter who they are.
The president of Rotary Club of Bangkok South, Michael Schulz stated that this was a great day out and could only be managed with the generous support of their many sponsors and that there was a great deal of logistics in organizing the day, but to see the kids enjoying themselves, made it all worth it.
Nong Keaw (right) is very happy to visit Pattaya, “Thank you so much.”
In addition the kids were treated to some extra fun as many had their faces painted in vibrant colors and they also enjoyed the zany antics of the kid’s entertainer Doctor Penguin. Their bellies were kept full with a buffet of fried chicken, som tam, and phad Thai.
All good things eventually come to an end, and it’s time to go.
One 15 year child named Ploy from Baan Notaphumi said that she had been hit by a car and that it had left her severely disabled; however, she said she had a great day playing in the pool and enjoyed making sand castles. Ploy also said that she wants to be a swimming teacher when she grows up and that she has already participated in a swimming tournament in Malaysia.
Asked what message she has for other people with disabilities, Ploy replied, “Don’t give up and do good things because you will receive only good things in return.”
I will be with you forever, you are my best friend.
Let’s enjoy this as much as we can.
Thank you for giving me the chance to be here today.
Our bodies are not perfect but we have a strong heart.
We enjoy swimming in the sea and we hope next year we would be here again.
Thank you for the good time together and for the great memories.
The smiles say it all.
