William and Woody cut the ribbon.
William Macey
A significant event occurred in Pattaya in 2002, which was the
opening of the Fountain of Life Centre for Children just off 3rd Road, run
by the Good Shepherd Sisters. Although the Fountain of Life had an active
life well before that date, the new building offered so many more
opportunities to help children in need. Jesters Care for Kids have been a
big supporter of this centre for many years, but other groups have also
contributed financially or helped in many varied ways.
Many families come to Pattaya from all over Thailand but, particularly, from
the north seeking opportunities for a better life, but they find the streets
are not paved with gold and they have to resort to living in slum
conditions, to resort to scavenging, becoming street vendors or whatever it
is that can bring a small income. But what happens to the children? In
addition, there are also children that run away from home, become street
kids, suffer abuse or are victims of trafficking. Very often they do not
have identification and, therefore, cannot attend school or receive medical
assistance.
The boys could not contain their
curiosity.
The Fountain Of Life do everything they can and collect
children, from all over the city, take care of them for the day providing
them with an education, medical help, a daily nutritious meal and endeavour
to obtain official documents, which is never easy, before returning them
home at the end of the day.
Sister Joan, 80 years young, is the recognizable face of the centre. Having
come to Pattaya from Ireland via many other countries filling her passport
with stamps and visas over her many years of service to the Good Shepherd
movement.
Pattaya Sports Club and Jesters were asked to visit the centre recently for,
with 100 plus children on a daily basis, the toilet arrangements were
somewhat outdated. With only 3 toilets there was always a queue for their
use and there was an urgent requirement for more and repairs to the existing
system. Hence the visit by William and Woody.
Fortunately, there was an area alongside the building which was ideal for
more development. Another joint venture between Pattaya Sports Club and
Jesters ensured that new toilets were built, the boys using the external
toilets and the girls using the internal toilets.
Their Christmas Party was held on December 18th which coincided nicely with
the official opening. Many boys wanted to be the first to use the new toilet
facilities. The party was a great success with children performing the
Nativity, singing Christmas Carols and showing their skills at all forms of
dancing which delighted the many guests to the days event. When you leave
the centre, everyone is aware that the children are happy and look forward
to their day spent at the Fountain of Life.
If you would like to make a donation to the Fountain of Life, please contact
William on 0861522754 or Woody on 0813444680.
Sister Joan says thank you to PSC
and Jesters.
Sister Jiemjit.
The area before the construction.
