On the morning of Saturday 8th December seventy graduating students gathered at the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities to receive their graduating certificates.
After two years of hard work each student has successfully completed their chosen course; information technology, business English, media or electronic repair.
They arrived at the school two years ago, for many the first time away from the comfort of their homes and families.
They have made friends and achieved goals they never thought they would. Many have participated in local, national and international sporting competitions.
A group of graduating electronic students.
Their confidence and self esteem has grown and they are now ready to enter the workforce as equals.
At the graduating ceremony the name of each student was called and they made their way forward to receive their certificate from Father Peter Pattarapong, President of the Father Ray Foundation. As each name was called, the name of the course the studied on was also mentioned as was the name of their new employer.
One hundred percent of all students now have employment. They will work alongside non-disabled colleagues, where they will receive an equal salary and have equal rights.
Since the school’s founding in 1984, almost two thousand five hundred young adults living with a disability have graduated. The United Nations stated that the Redemptorist Vocational School for People with Disabilities in Pattaya was the best school of its type in South East Asia and it is proud of its success rate, not just in teaching young adults with a disability, but also giving them the ability to live in society as independent members of society.
Father Peter, President of the Father Ray Foundation, hands each student their graduating certificates.
This young lady was one of seventy graduates.
A member of the graduating Class of 2555 – 2012.
