We ventured outside of our traditional realm of Chonburi and Rayong Provinces in response to the national calamity that flooded two thirds of Thailand’s provinces in late 2011.

With the recommendation of the YWCA in Pattaya and the Police Academy in Nakon Pathom, we chose to come to the aid of the isolated Wat Puttamrangsi School in Baan Laak Tak Pha, which had
been inundated with 1.5 meter of flood water for a 2-month period.  The school has an enrollment of 126 students, mostly the children of poor farmers and laborers.

Once the waters receded, parents, faculty and other community members banded together to clean up and restore the school to its former state. However, funds were still required to make repairs,
as well as seal and repaint walls inside and out on the ground floor classrooms. In addition, all of the white boards and educational visual aids had to be replaced too.

After an assessment, we agreed to provide 250,000 baht to get the job done.

Last Sunday, we went out there to look at the finished product and we were delighted to see the wonderful job they had done. Everything was immaculately clean and brand new looking. Moreover, their gratitude was bountiful. To mark the occasion, an informal ceremony took place, followed by a spread of local delicacies.