Jesters Charity Drive 2002

For four years now nearly all funds raised from our charity drives have gone to the Fountain of Life Children's Center, now located in their new premises just off Pattaya 3 Road behind the Pattaya Sports Club building. Additionally, some of our funds have also gone to the Jing Jai Home, or House of Sincerity, on the east side of Sukhumvit that houses the few orphans that attend the Center. In actuality there are two Fountain of Life Centers: Center One is for the welfare of children and Center Two, on Soi Bua Kaow, provides vocational and language training for women. We have been involved in the former as 'caring for children' is what we are all about.

Now in our fifth year, the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive has expanded their beneficiary base to include two more institutions assisting children in the area: The Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind in Naklua and the Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institute in Huay Pong, Rayong province.

The Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind

Mrs. Aurora Lee Sribuapun, assisted by Khun Jarinya, runs this school on Soi 16 in Naklua for 172 blind and/or mentally impaired children. We have chosen to assist them this year largely through the proceeds raised from Paul Baker's Farewell Pushbike Ride from Ubon to Pattaya. We have promised 200,000 baht to buy mostly furniture, renovate buildings and upgrade electrics. Most recently we have provided for the construction of storage lockers for the students per their request. The Blind Choir from this school will be performing on stage at our Children's Fair on Sunday, September 15th.

The Eastern Child Welfare Protection Institute (ECWPI)

Located in Huay Pong, Rayong on the north side of Sukhumvit, where the new flyover is being constructed at the head of the Maptaphut Road, is the Boys' Sector of this institute, which both accommodates and educates orphans and abandoned children. For this project we have pledged to renovate the wooden dormitory for the younger boys, which is becoming derelict from uneven settling and rotting floors and roof. We also plan to construct a new bathing and toilet facility in the back with adjoining walkway to the pre-existing building. The job, beginning with the foundation, is intended to get underway this week. The most recent quote for the work is now over 500,000 baht.

The Fountain of Life Center for Children

And, of course, we are staying the course with the Fountain of Life. We have come a long way since our first meeting back with the Sisters in 1998, when we thought all they needed were some fish sauce, rice and a cooker. From that time to the present and 7.4 million baht later, we have seen the Center grow and thrive as the Sisters continue their efforts to give these kids from broken homes both hope and opportunity for better lives. Now with their new building and increased attendance we continue to furnish over half of their operational expenses; costs that directly benefit the children. We also provide funding for scholarships and cover medical and dental check-ups and necessary operations. Most recently we paid for the successful hernia operation of a 4-year old boy, who was previously experiencing much discomfort even when sitting. (Please refer to our 'Projects' link on our web site: www.care4kids.info.)

The integration of the Pledge Program (www.care4kids.info/pledge) with the Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive this year has introduced yet another way for us to raise money for the children. The pledge concept is designed to complement our original lump sum donor program with an alternative way consisting of donations of lesser sums on a monthly basis. There will be a Pledge stall for joining this program at our Fair.

With our Children's Fair just around the corner, we invite you to come join us on Sunday, September 15th, at the Diana Garden Lodge and Driving Range between Pattaya 3 Road and Sukhumvit just off North Pattaya Road, where children from our beneficiaries will also be present. We hope to see you there.