In what has become an annual tradition, the Children’s Choir from the Pattaya Orphanage performed for the Pattaya City Expats Club members and guests at their Sunday, December 22 meeting. The children serenaded the group with Christmas Carols and with some traditional Thai dancing.
Board member Judith Edmonds introduced Radchada (Toy) Chomjinda from the Orphanage who said it was a privilege for the children to be back this year to again sing for the club.
A large group of orphans sang ‘Jingle Bells’ and other Christmas Carols, accompanied by none other than Santa Claus!
Seven young ladies took centre stage resplendent in traditional Thai costumes of gold, blue, green, red and orange. Each wore jewellery around her neck and waist. They performed a couple of traditional Thai dances. Following this, the rest of the choir filed in, dressed in red and white choir robes and Christmas hats. There were over 100 in the choir this year, the biggest number ever. Toy explained that the numbers were boosted by the presence of several young ladies from Sriracha who are entering the nunhood.
PCEC Treasurer Judith presents Toy with a Certificate of Appreciation from PCEC for her work for the Pattaya Orphanage, and for the inspiring presentation by the children.
The choir sang several carols, including “Jingle Bells,” “Come All ye Faithful” and “Joy to the World.” The choir finished their set with a rousing shout of “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
This was followed by the entrance of Santa Claus from behind the choir, much to the delight of both the audience and the choir, who could see Santa Claus on the TV monitors scattered throughout The Tavern restaurant. (While they were singing the carols, the children could also see themselves on the monitors, to their great amusement.)
Toys ‘Angels’ (orphans of the Pattaya Orphanage, managed by Toy) perform traditional Thai dances for the appreciative audience, members of Pattaya City Expats Club.
With a merry “Ho, Ho, Ho” Santa wished one and all a Merry Christmas. To the delight of the children, he conversed with them in Thai. One of the little boys pulled on his beard and patted his rotund middle and exclaimed something in Thai. Jolly Ol’ Santa explained to the audience that he had said Santa was pregnant with a baby elephant! Santa led the choir in another rendition of “Jingle Bells” and then surprised everyone with a stirring rendition of “Silent Night,” initially solo, but quickly joined in by the choir and the audience. Then, Santa brought out his sack of goodies, handing them out to very happy and smiling children.
Toy and Nong Orm of the Orphanage then gave a memento of PCEC support to Chairman Pat.
Toy invited everyone to participate in Christmas dinner at the Orphanage on Christmas Day. She explained that the Orphanage would be specially decorated in honour of its 40th anniversary. The children then left the stage, but not before another stirring rendition of “We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”
After the carols, Santa gave gifts from PCEC to all the children.
The gifts for the children were made possible by the efforts of Club member Judith, who solicited donations from people attending the Sunday morning meetings and by the generosity of the many people who stuffed baht bills and coins into the donations jar. The money raised was used to buy clothes as well as gifts for the children at the Orphanage and the Mercy Centre – split 50/50 between them.
Students of Lovers of the Cross of Chantaburi, accompanied by Sister Mingkwan Pholmool, joined with the children of Pattaya Orphanage for their Christmas PCEC Concert.
To thank the club for its generosity, Toy presented Judith, PCEC Chair Pat Koester and PCEC Past-Chair and long-time member and friend of the Orphanage Richard Smith with figurines in the design of the Orphanage’s logo.
Toy explained how many of the children came to be at the Orphanage. She also said that the Orphanage was very proud that four of its children had achieved master degrees (three more are on the way) and that 20 of its children had obtained bachelor degrees. She added that as a result of education grants, the Orphanage was now fortunate enough to be able send its young children to private schools where they learn English from Day 1.
After some announcements of upcoming events, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg called on Roy Albiston to conduct the Open Forum where questions are asked and answered about expat living in Thailand, Pattaya in particular.
For more information about the Club and its many activities, visit www.pcecclub.org.
