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The late George Davis is still helping Thai children
Glenn “Jeep” Holthaus
President and Founder
Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project
Even though George Davis has sadly passed away, his
charitable work still goes on in helping disadvantaged Thai children. George
was helping Bernie Tuppin, who is the charity chairman of the Pattaya Sports
Club, in obtaining donated computers to be refurbished and supplied to needy
schools in Thailand. The 10 computers shown here are donations of used
computers from Unocal Thailand that George had arranged just prior to his
death.
 Headmaster
Chana Sangvipanapopon of Nong Pai School in Suphan Buri, Headmaster Pranorm
Traiyanakom of Phondang School, Pattaya Police Lt. Col. Chaiwat Pansuwan,
Sutus Omwimul, Mathee Saradit, and the familiar face of Jaruay Kingjorhor
(Lek) of the “Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project” in Pattaya.
The computers were first transferred to Glenn (Jeep)
Holthaus and his wife, Lek of the “Computers For Thai Kids Charity
Project”, who used donations of used computer parts they had, and
purchased parts from funds donated by supporters of their project, to
refurbish the computers so they could be used in Thai schools to teach
children in rural areas.
Bundit Chotikanta, a Pattaya lawyer who helps Jeep and
Lek find deserving schools throughout Thailand, then set up the transfer of
these computers and accessories to two very needy schools near Suphan Buri.
Bundit’s son in law, LT Col Chaiwat Pansuwan of the
Pattaya Police, was present for the turnover to the schools, and was a very
interested party since he had attended these schools as a young boy and was
very happy to see that his old schools were receiving the donation of much
needed equipment.
Since its inception in 1998, “The Computers For Thai
Kids Charity Project” has sent out more than 390 computers to schools all
over Thailand, has given computer instruction to hundreds of poor Thai kids
in Pattaya, and is sponsoring 82 deserving kids in government schools. When
funds are available, the kids coming for computer instruction are also fed a
nutritious meal after their classes. For some, this is the only meal they
receive each day.
Jeep and Lek need all the help they can get to run this
project and have requests for thousands of computers from hundreds of
schools throughout Thailand. If you have any working computer equipment in
the Pentium class and above that you have upgraded or can spare, this is the
place to donate it, as these do get out to the neediest areas.
This charity project is strictly volunteer with no one on
any payroll or receiving any remuneration for their efforts. All the
computers must come from inside Thailand since Thai Customs procedures
precludes importing donated computers from abroad.
The project can also use funds to repair donated
computers, feed the kids, and to help support the most needy to stay in
school.
If you are able to assist Jeep and Lek in their worthwhile endeavor,
please contact: Glenn “Jeep” Holthaus or Jaruay “Lek” Kingjorhor at
[email protected] phone: 038-424-998 or visit their website for more info
on their “Computers For Thai Kids Charity Project”: http://jeep
.htmlplanet.com/
Show Jumping at St. Andrews Equestrian Centre
On Saturday October 25, eleven excited Children from St.
Andrews International School, Green Valley, were up and out in spite of the
fact it was the first day of their holiday. They were all participating in
their first show jumping event of the year. The youngest participant was
Cara Comperat (age 6) and the oldest Sinead Lowder (age 13). These children,
along with nine others, were preparing to jump 20, 30, 40 and 50 cm jumps.
 Participants
with their rosettes: Tanya Lowder age 11, Sinead Lowder age 13, Jodie
Comperat age 10, Cara Comperat age 6, Eline Verhoeven age 10, Anneleen
Verhoeven age 9, Susan Kuiper age 12, Morloes Kuiper age 10, Catrine
Christensen age 8, Anna Sofie Christensen age 10, Michelle Class Age 8.
The weather was kind. At 8.30 a.m. it was cool with a
light breeze and no sign of any sun. Everyone had a warm up round and then
the competition began.
Clear rounds were order of the day, but one jump caused a
lot of problem and several children were disappointed when they heard the
click of the yellow and blue plank on the ground.
The arena was well laid out and jumps clearly numbered,
though this did not stop some competitors from getting the jumps in the
incorrect order!
About 11 a.m. the sun came out and “the heat was on”.
Participants did their best and were rewarded with rosettes to celebrate
their achievements.
St. Andrews Equestrian Centre Pony Camp
Suchada Tupchai
St. Andrews Equestrian Centre must be one of the area’s
best-kept secrets. It is situated close to St. Andrews Golf Club, about 20
minutes from Ban Chang. The drive from Pattaya is via Buddha Mountain road
and winds through a fertile region of pineapple and tapioca plantations.
There is even a vineyard on the right after Buddha Mountain.
 This
half term, Alison Class ran a pony camp for ten children (age range 6 to 13,
beginners and experienced riders) during which time they all had the
opportunity to go out into the field and catch their own pony, bring it into
the stable, groom and tack up.
The Equestrian Centre has been under new management since
Geraldine Du Puis left for Ireland in July. Alison Class has now taken over
and although things are changing rapidly the atmosphere remains the same
“warm and friendly”.
 All
tacked and ready to ride.
In the field next to the paddock Alison has the
beginnings of a wonderful cross country course. The more capable children
have been trying out some of the log jumps and are itching to get at the
ditch which is presently being dug! The tyres jump looks challenging!
This half term, Alison ran a pony camp for ten children
(age range 6 to 13, beginners and experienced riders) during which time they
all had the opportunity to go out into the field and catch their own pony,
bring it into the stable, groom and tack up. All this is done under
supervision. Alison has at her right hand a wonderful assistant, Merryl
Comperat.
Having done all this the children then have a lesson and
whist Alison is teaching one group Merryl has the others knee deep in mixing
feed buckets for all ponies so that children are learning basic stable
management, too.
On another day they were all dismantling bridles,
cleaning them and the hard part ... putting them back again. Finally,
lessons finished, the children remove all tack, hose down their ponies and
produce all those apples and carrots that have been kept for just this
moment.
For my children the highlight of the day is when all the
saddles are removed and they have the opportunity to trot and canter bare
back. A wonderful three day was had by all and we all look forward to the
next Pony Camp.
Visiting Storyteller at GIS
Phyllis Peterson enchants GIS students with her storytelling skills
Phyllis Peterson is an author/performer from the United States who is
also a storyteller. She enjoys telling stories about women and girls as
heroes and stories that teach children and adults anger management. She is
the author of several books for children as well as “Assisting the
Traumatized Soul,” which is about abuse issues. She has a publishing
company that provides materials and markets them to Family Violence Shelters
across the United States
Laughter
is the best medicine.
Phyllis
Peterson has her audience completely enthralled.
Second round of the National Battle of the Bands held last weekend
Damri Muangkaew
The second round of the National Youth Battle of the
Bands competition was held last weekend at the Central Festival Business
Center. The event, which aims at providing youth alternative activities to
drug use, and we all know how the words “drugs” and “musicians” are
hardly ever used in the same sentence, was officially opened by Mayor Pairat
Sutithamrongsawat.
Youthful
musicians compete in the “Battle of the Bands” last week at the Central
Festival Business Center in North Pattaya.
The bands, divided into two age groups, 11-16 years and
17-21 years, hammered out their best sounds for the audience and judges. The
judges, after their hearing was restored, later revealed that they had a
tough time making the final decision because of the high standards presented
during the day.
Seven of the bands made it through this round and will
move on to the next round of competition. The finals are set for December 7
at Alcazar Theater on Pattaya Second Road. The winning band will receive a
50,000 baht first prize and a trophy under the patronage of HRH Princess
Soamsawalee.
Second place winners are set to receive 30,000 baht and
the Sontaya Khunpluem minister for tourism and sports trophy, while third
place will receive 10,000 in cash and the mayor’s trophy.
Additionally, winning bands will have the opportunity to play on stage in
front of thousands at the Pattaya Music Festival scheduled for March 2004.
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