We, at Fountain of Life, hope that all roads will lead to "Jesters Children's Fair " on September 16th. It will be held at Siam Bayshore Resort, South Pattaya. We wish all who go there a very happy family day and we hope that you will spend well and wisely. Please encourage your friends to do the same. All proceeds from the Fair will come to Fountain of Life Children's Center in North Pattaya, where we care for underprivileged children of the Pattaya area. The proceeds will be used for the running costs of the Center and we assure you that it will be used well and wisely.

Presently between 150 and 160 children attend our center every day. They love to come to the center where they can be secure, and enjoy their childhood like other children of their age.

The running costs for January to December for the year 2000 was 2,210,006 Baht. The cost for the period of January to June 2001 was 1,433,683 Baht. Jesters contribution for this six months was 771,090 Baht. Our running costs have increased this year. This is mainly because the children are picked up from their homes every morning and returned every evening in our own vehicles and transport costs (petrol and maintenance of vehicles) is high. It takes approximately 16% of the total budget. Our vans travel in many a small pot-holed Soi, and in places where there is no Soi at all.

Nutrition, medical and dental care for the children have high priority at Fountain of Life Center and take approximately 18% of the total budget.

The daily food program consists of

- Breakfast - Nutritious Lunch - Snack

for those who do not eat before they come to the center, and a drink full of vitamins and minerals for all before going home

The children are encouraged to have as much of the above as they want.

Dr. Tasinee and her team of dentists at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital monitor dental care for all the children. Members of the Pattaya International Ladies Club bring children for their appointments and follow-up. A doctor visits the center every week to check the children's health. There is a medical record for every child.

Approximately 6% of the budget goes on water, electricity, household requirements, and maintenance. Another 3% goes for telephone, office supplies, rent, and tax for the building. Mr. Albert Fader pays rent and tax for the extended part of the building.

Children come to our center at the age of 3 years. By the time they reach the age for entry to Government School we hope they are healthy, strong and well prepared to start this important stage of every child's life. When they leave the center for 1st. Grade in Government School, they are well prepared to know how to read, write, sing, dance, and speak for themselves in a polite manner like all the other children from more affluent homes.

We are happy to say that children from Fountain of Life do very well in Government Schools. One of our staff visits the schools regularly to monitor their development. We get good support and co-operation from all staff in Government Schools of Pattaya.

In May of this year 58 children went to Government School (8 to boarding schools), while last year the number was 42 children and the previous year 36. The years before the numbers were smaller. Some children have gone to Secondary School level at Good Shepherd Convent in Bangkok; others are in School in Nongkhai and are monitored by Good Shepherd Sisters there. Some go to Vocational School in Pattaya. Preparation of children for Grade School as well as higher education takes a place of great importance. School uniforms, transport and lunch money is provided if the family cannot afford it. Fees for boarding schools are paid. This is high on our expense list, approx.10%.

The more children and families we get to know the more we become part of their life situation, so we have a rather extensive out-reach program. We help with milk-formula for small babies whose mothers cannot afford to buy the rather costly powder. Drugs problems and HIV/AIDS are no strangers in the families of the children who come to our center, so our out-reach program helps many of them, approx. 8% of our budget

Salaries and training for 15 teachers and support staff costs 39% of the total budget. This does not come from Jesters contribution. Our staff is very dedicated and hard working. An important requirement for employment in our center is that the person loves children. It is important that our staff know our target group, our policy, and our philosophy.

We express our deep gratitude to the Committee who are putting such a great effort into the preparation for this fair. We thank all the Jesters and all their collaborators. Like you we hope that this year's "Jesters Children's Fair" will be a wonderful success.

A special message to our readers: please come, spend well and wisely, and we guarantee, we will do the same in return.