Following a well deserved sleep in, Lisa, Joanna, Christina and I made our way to Central Festival - the local shopping centre. After walking only a short distance by the beach I was already frustrating at people asking us if we wanted a taxi and having taxis beep at us as we made our way down the path. It all got too much so Lisa (and her bargaining powers) got us a taxi down the road.
We had arrived 15 minutes too early (10:45am - I keep forgetting that shops open later in Thailand!) so the girls enjoyed a quick beverage at Starbucks. I can't say that I was impressed by the shopping centre. It seemed to be full of American designer brands and most products were similarly priced to Australia. The only thing I wanted to buy were more Converse sneakers, but the shops didn't even stock my size!
Lunch was on Drinking Street at Greg's Kitchen, a bar and grill owned by an English fellow and his Thai wife. Lisa and I shared a pizza which is exactly what we both felt like. Drinking Street definitely feels like a very seedy part of Pattaya! 2:15pm and everyone was back on the bus.
Pattaya Orphanage
This time it was only a 10 minute drive down the road to Pattaya Orphanage where we were greeted by a Registered Nurse, Mr Paul Somkiat Potiverayut who introduced us to the orphanage and the work that it does. I was feeling a little apprehensive about what to expect but the staff quickly made us feel comfortable.
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| Pattaya Beach |
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| Lisa and I in the taxi |
We had arrived 15 minutes too early (10:45am - I keep forgetting that shops open later in Thailand!) so the girls enjoyed a quick beverage at Starbucks. I can't say that I was impressed by the shopping centre. It seemed to be full of American designer brands and most products were similarly priced to Australia. The only thing I wanted to buy were more Converse sneakers, but the shops didn't even stock my size!
Lunch was on Drinking Street at Greg's Kitchen, a bar and grill owned by an English fellow and his Thai wife. Lisa and I shared a pizza which is exactly what we both felt like. Drinking Street definitely feels like a very seedy part of Pattaya! 2:15pm and everyone was back on the bus.
Pattaya Orphanage
This time it was only a 10 minute drive down the road to Pattaya Orphanage where we were greeted by a Registered Nurse, Mr Paul Somkiat Potiverayut who introduced us to the orphanage and the work that it does. I was feeling a little apprehensive about what to expect but the staff quickly made us feel comfortable.
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| 384 Moo 6, Sukhumvit Highway, Km. 144, Banglamung, Chonburi, 20150 |
Pattaya Orphanage currently cares for 180 children who are either orphans with normal condition or living with deafness and/or physical disabilities. It opened in 1974 after Reverend Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit approved the development of the orphanage and provided the land. Father Raymond Brennan oversaw the construction of the orphanage and American Military Officers provided the initial 5000 THB fund. During the first five years of the orphanages' operations, the religious sisters of St. Paul de Chartre cared for the babies, and it is now the Sisters of the Orders of the Lovers of the Cross Chanthaburi who provide the day-to-day care of the children.
Many children at the orphanage are from families who cannot care for them physically or financially - sadly, the typical story is that the father has abandoned the mother, leaving the mother unable to care for the child. Sometimes, the mother then leaves her child with a family friend, and never returns. Thailand does not have social service support available, resulting in the orphanage being the only option for some families. Given that Pattaya is known for it's sexual tourism, it makes me wonder how many children are a product of such this industry.
The orphanage is the only home these children have known and it remains their home for as long as they need. The main focus is to facilitate a healthy life and upbringing through education and structure, encouraging the children to become worthwhile members of society with fulfilling lives.
Staff
Many children at the orphanage are from families who cannot care for them physically or financially - sadly, the typical story is that the father has abandoned the mother, leaving the mother unable to care for the child. Sometimes, the mother then leaves her child with a family friend, and never returns. Thailand does not have social service support available, resulting in the orphanage being the only option for some families. Given that Pattaya is known for it's sexual tourism, it makes me wonder how many children are a product of such this industry.
The orphanage is the only home these children have known and it remains their home for as long as they need. The main focus is to facilitate a healthy life and upbringing through education and structure, encouraging the children to become worthwhile members of society with fulfilling lives.
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| A huge playground and soccer ground that can host thousands of spectators |
- 2 Registered Nurses on site at all times
- RNs are equipped with the skills to counsel and education children
- Professional discretion and experience is utilised when assessing when children are ready to receive information regarding their background
Babies
- At any one time there are over 50 babies and toddlers living in one of three baby rooms
- A full-time nurse and nannies provide day-to-day care and necessary vaccinations
- Two teams of consultant pediatricians visit weekly and monthly for health check-ups
Education
- From the ages of 3-4 years, children receive pre-school education from within the orphanage
- They undertake classes in Thai and English, and learn about computers and crafts
- After three years in Kindergarten, the children then attend school outside of the orphanage
- 'House Parents' (also qualified teachers) care for children that are of similar ages, provide individual support to children, and ensure homework is completed
- During the school holidays, the children receive extra tuition for computer and English classes by volunteers
- After junior school, the children then go to high school, and provided with options to undertake vocational or university training
- The orphanage was donated a bus that is used to transport the children to and from school
Religion
- The orphanage is managed by Roman Catholic priests of Chanthaburi and on a day-to-day basis is run by Sisters
- Since Buddhism is Thailand's main religion, the children are not converted to Catholicism
Adoption
- For over 30 years, several hundred babies and toddlers have begun new lives with other families
- Children are commonly adopted to families in Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, France and Italy
- Surprisingly, one two children have made it to Australia
- Although adoption is a length process, the orphanage likes to ensure that the children are going to the right homes
Sotpattana School for the Deaf
This school, which was inaugurated as the first school for the deaf in the eastern Thai region, occupies space on the orphanage campus. It was set up by Father Brennan in 1982, after his experience showed that children who were from neglectful families tended to cause more problems within society. Father Brennan saw that it was essential to provide educational opportunities to help develop their communication with others and prepare them for higher education. Today it continues as a private charity school where instructional education is free of charge and children receive speech therapy and sign language education. Twice a year the children are assessed for alterations in their hearing capacity, and nurses from the orphanage provide basic treatments.
After playing with a few of the younger children, we headed to the dining hall. We were instructed to stand in the middle of the hall, and the older children begun to sing and sign "Happy Birthday". Tears were welling in my eyes. This was the most beautiful thing I had ever experienced, and in that moment I have never felt so honoured, welcomed and accepted. It was an absolute pleasure to participate and interact with the children, and my heart felt so warm as children would shyly bow their head and say thank you before they walked off with their meal. Once all the children had received their dinner and dessert, I sat down with a few kids who still seemed fascinated by our presence. The fact that we couldn't converse with these children didn't seem to matter; smiling was the universal communication.
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What really tugged on my heart strings was when one of the little boys walked up to me after dinner and sat on my lap. He wanted to play with my fingers and tug on my long fingernails, before holding my wrists and clapping my hands together. Then, he pushed two of my middle fingers down, and I couldn't quite understand what he was doing.
It was Kate who noticed my hand and explained that it means "I love you" in sign language! How adorable! I wanted to cry!
This day was most definitely a touching day, and it was great to see how well looked after and happy these children are. It was very special to spend such time interacting with these lucky children and I loved the fact that we brought smiles to their faces. With the nurturing, structured and supportive environment they are provided, I have no doubt they will grow up to be respected members of society full of life!
Before dinner a few of us treated ourselves to an oil massage and then dinner at a Russian restaurant down the road. Absolute bliss! What was not absolute bliss was walking back to the hotel - my first taste of Pattaya nightlife.
After playing with a few of the younger children, we headed to the dining hall. We were instructed to stand in the middle of the hall, and the older children begun to sing and sign "Happy Birthday". Tears were welling in my eyes. This was the most beautiful thing I had ever experienced, and in that moment I have never felt so honoured, welcomed and accepted. It was an absolute pleasure to participate and interact with the children, and my heart felt so warm as children would shyly bow their head and say thank you before they walked off with their meal. Once all the children had received their dinner and dessert, I sat down with a few kids who still seemed fascinated by our presence. The fact that we couldn't converse with these children didn't seem to matter; smiling was the universal communication.
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| Serving dinner (Photo courtesy of Sarah Nguyen) |
What really tugged on my heart strings was when one of the little boys walked up to me after dinner and sat on my lap. He wanted to play with my fingers and tug on my long fingernails, before holding my wrists and clapping my hands together. Then, he pushed two of my middle fingers down, and I couldn't quite understand what he was doing.
It was Kate who noticed my hand and explained that it means "I love you" in sign language! How adorable! I wanted to cry!
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| Absolutely gorgeous, happy faces (Photo courtesy of Kate) |
This day was most definitely a touching day, and it was great to see how well looked after and happy these children are. It was very special to spend such time interacting with these lucky children and I loved the fact that we brought smiles to their faces. With the nurturing, structured and supportive environment they are provided, I have no doubt they will grow up to be respected members of society full of life!
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| Our visit is featured on the orphanage website - www.thepattayaorphanage.org |
More photos are available at Pattaya Orphanage News
Before dinner a few of us treated ourselves to an oil massage and then dinner at a Russian restaurant down the road. Absolute bliss! What was not absolute bliss was walking back to the hotel - my first taste of Pattaya nightlife.
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