Before the modern insanity of Pattaya’s Songkran celebration got underway, children at the Fountain of Life Center were introduced to its traditional heritage.
Center directors Joan Gormley and Jiemjit Thumpichai led a group of teachers, supervisors and children in an April 9 Songkran festival. Everybody dressed in colorful flowered shirts while the children participated in the “rod nam dam hua” ceremony, pouring scented water into the palms of elders and receiving blessings.
Sister Jiemjit Thumpichai and Sister Joan Gormley welcome guests to the Songkran activities at the Fountain of Life Center Pattaya.
Many senior management members from various networking organizations were invited to join the activities, including TGS Global led by Travis Dupre of the Thunder Oilfield Services (Thailand), who donated 400,000 baht to support the children.
The Fountain of Life Center consists of more than 150 children from age five to 15. They are under the responsibility of supervisors of the center who are like teachers who support the children by providing education.
Children perform the “rod nam dam hua” ceremony, pouring scented water into the palms of elders.
The children are also being looked after with standard health measures and when festive events take place in Pattaya, the center will organize activities for the children to learn about the traditions, especially Songkran, the Thai New Year.
Then the real fun began, with a more modern splashing of cool water on a very hot day.
Travis Dupre (3rd the left), managing director of Thunder Oilfield Services (Thailand) Limited, generously donates 400,000 THB to support the children at the center.
