Updated  :  06/02/2010 09:53:00 +0700  


 

Giving Children Hope
'Fund for Friends' and the Royal Thai Navy
by Jeremy Johanson

Since its humble beginnings in 1991, the 'Fun for Friends' association had been hosting an annual summer vacation weekend for underprivileged, orphaned and disabled children. The 'For the Hopeful Children' project aims at giving these children more than just fun, but something that we take for granted, self-confidence in the ability to help themselves and each other. These children are given hope to better themselves though the simple offering of a 'warm heart', contributing to their emotional and social development, treating them as if they are part of a larger family… society.

500 kids from all over the country get to participate in this event and everyone is working harder to find the budget to accommodate the increasing demand, including the Royal Thai Navy who has become an FFF active partner. Military hands that normally hold guns, now hold spoons to help feed these kids and protect them while bathing in the sea.

Helping goes both ways as volunteers at the camp learn a lot about friendship too. From the inquisitiveness, playfulness and joy of the children, you can see that 'big brother and sister' volunteers, from all walks of life, create a rewarding experience for all.

Whether by volunteering time or money (or both!), contributing towards the positive development of these great kids is definitely a worthwhile cause.


 

Keittisak Damapong / Rear Admiral - Royal Thai Navy

"The commanders at the Royal Thai Navy feel that it is important to support NGO's like this in their work. It is good for the country. We can help by providing a place to host the event, accommodation & entertainment. Actually, in the past, it was the Marine Corps that have always helped, but this year the Navy was directly ordered to help this project. This is a good opportunity for children to positively develop in mind and body, growing up to be good citizens and productive members of society."
   

 
 
 
 

Visit Dejkumtorn / President - 'Fun for Friends'

"The project started when a group of friends got together to help orphaned and disabled children. We wanted to give these children something special, not just a donation and then leave, making the children feel like they are inferior to the donor. We wanted them to realise that their life is important also, to make them proud of their lives, to love themselves. Coming together in a place of friendship, like a big family, helps them to learn from each other, from their differences, exchanging views and realising that they are not alone, nor is their life as bad as they think. Everyone participates in this friendship, starting with the Navy personnel who help protect the children, to the student and other volunteers who, together, help create a better life for these children."

 – Angelika Hombrecher / Therapist for People with Special Needs - Christian Care Foundation for Children with Disabilities

"If programs like this did not exist, handicapped orphans like those at the CCD would not have a chance to come to the seaside and see something different, like going out and being on the beach and going swimming. You get to see how different children can be. In Bangkok, they tend to be a little bit more aggressive because of living in a ward together with 60 other children. Here they can really relax and just do what they like to do, instead of people telling them what they shouldn't do. If they have a chance to see other things, other environments, then they can grow up different, encouraging them to do and learn something more."

– Warittha Saengphech & Kittiya Kingmanee / Student Volunteers

"This project is a good chance for unfortunate children to learn about people in the world. Many are from broken families and have not had the chance to do things like we have. We would like to make them happy, like us. We work with the staff that comes from many different organisations. Being volunteers, we learn about relationships; with our staff, the other staff and the people of Rayong Province. We volunteer because we love the children and want to help them to help themselves."

– Sukunya Uthaisan / Blind Student - Matayom 4 (#1 in science-math, Khon Kaen Province)

"This camp helps us disabled children to do things together, so that we can learn to help ourselves more and not be a burden on society, on other people. This is the first time I have come here and I would like to come back. People can help this program by either volunteering to help or they can make a donation. Also, in everyday life, please do not look down on disabled people, homeless people or the underprivileged. Please give us the opportunity to give our opinions and an equal opportunity to participate in everyday life, in society. For example, in education and employment."

 – Wirat, Kachan, Sunee, Monlurdee, Chanjira / Volunteers - Siam Nissan Co. (Klaeng District)

"We are a group of friends who volunteer to come and provide food for the camp. We bring and make all kinds of food; Pad Thai, meatballs, fish cakes, fruits, sweets, Kanom Krob… We came last year, came this year, and will come and help as often as possible because we like to see these kids happy. When we see these children, who have no one to really take care of them, we want to give them some joy in their lives. Seeing them happy makes us happy also. It the responsibility of all of us to take care of each other."

 – Commander Pasugree Wilairuk / PR Director - Royal Thai Navy

"We look forward to this annual event as much as the kids. Once a year might seem little, but for these kids it's a real big event that they look forward to. Previously this project was carried out on a narrower scope, but now we would like to expand the project and offer it to more children throughout Bangkok and other regions in Thailand. By hosting activities here at Mahasurasinghanart Marine Camp in Rayong, we can save costs, like personnel, accommodation and transportation. We also have interesting things for the children to do, excursions and entertainment, as well as personnel who interact with the children, teaching them, giving them knowledge in different areas. So on a limited budget we can manage to host as many children as possible."

 – Alek, Geng, Geng, Oi, Mook / Participants

"We're real real happy to be here, making a lot of new friends at the camp. This is a great chance to be able to touch the outside world, something that we do not normally get to do. We learn to live together, disabled people and normal people. We also are happy that good people from this organisation want to help underprivileged people. Also, we learn a lot from the soldier teachers who show us a lot, learning how to live with other people in a good environment. It's a great educational experience and we hope to come back next year."

 – Sanot, Vinai, Prasud / Royal Thai Navy

"These children don't have as many opportunities as we have had, so when they are happy enjoying the activities, we are happy too. Also, it's good for them to participate together with normal people. Sanot has been helping since the 4th year, for 9 consecutive years. This is the second time we are helping. The children that came last year loved it so much that they dreamed all year of returning this time, and are even happier this year."

To donate funds or volunteer for 'Fun for Friends' contact:

Tel: 0-2276-3566, 0-2275-0144 ext. 913

Fax: 0-2276-3566

E-mail: visitd@hotmail.com

Website: www.fffthai.org

 If you have any information about people, organisations & events helping people, helping to make Thailand and the world a better place, please contact: JJtvi@yahoo.com