See the Pattaya Mail TV program "A day at the Fountain of Life Center" by Mike Franklin
This is a 'made for local TV' movie showing the daily happenings at the Fountain of Life Children's Center here in Pattaya Thailand
The Fountain Of Life Children's Center Pattaya
The Fountain of Life Center in North Pattaya has been our primary target charity for the Jesters since 1998 and has since grown into a major project. Every year since then, the children's fair and the charity fundraising night are a main attraction of every September in Pattaya. Sponsorships are gathered through organized fair attractions, auctions, bike rides, raffles, pub nights, plain goodwill sponsorships, and so much more.
The Fountain of Life Center's main goal is to prepare these underprivileged children for a healthy jump start into a successful adult life including education, health, and social behavior.
Click the logo to go to the
Fountain of Life Children's Center
WEBSITE
The need exists because poor communities from 'up-country' in this developing nation, flock to the bustling seaside tourist resort of Pattaya City as they have heard rumors that "these streets are paved with gold" and there is an abundance of money to be made in this town where 'Rich' foreigners come to holiday and throw their money around. The reality is, that there aren't many jobs in a tourist town for poor 'barely educated' rice farmers and their families that cannot speak any English. So these families often end up collecting recyclable garbage and living in slums, and therein also live the little children.
With no town water, no hygiene to speak of, often no electricity, and definitely no money nor much likelihood of getting any, their prospects are bleak and their small children that they bring with them are in an even worse dilema.
The Fountain of Life was established by the sisters of the good shepherd many years ago and this center's primary role is to help these poor children 1. get an ID card (so that they can have access to the government health system and schools) 2. give them health and dental attention as well as training on brushing their teeth (yes most do not know nor have ever seen this when they first get there) 3. give them (in many cases their only) nutritious meals for breakfast and lunch 4. give them the start of a well balanced education 5. and most importantly give them genuine love and a feeling of self esteem. This center struggled to survive in its earlier years until the local Jesters organization came to the rescue with an annual fund raising drive. 2007 marks its 10th year and now with some valuable tools to work with the Fountain of life can blossom to benefiting more and more underprivileged and mis fortunate children throughout the area.
