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Rotary International President inspired by
Thai Rotarians’ commitment to community service
Rolls up his sleeves and gets in touch with the grassroots
Carl-Wilhelm, Noraseth and
Jan Olav are welcomed by the deaf children.
Elfi Seitz and DGN Peter
Malhotra accompanied the president on his inspection tour.
Pratheep Malhotra
Past President - Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya
When RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar and RI Director Noraseth
Pathmanand stepped out of the limousine at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort
last Friday morning, little could they imagine what lay in store for
them in Pattaya.
From the warm welcome by Jin Srikasikorn, Governor of Rotary District
3340, Pratheep ‘Peter’ Malhotra, the District Governor Nominee and Jan
Olav Aamlid, appointed by Rotary International as the president’s aide
during the visit to Pattaya, to the whirlwind visits at the Pattaya
Orphanage, the School for Deaf Children and the Redemptorist School for
the Handicapped, Carl-Wilhelm was thoroughly impressed by what he
experienced and saw.
 A
lift in the air elicits squeals of laughter.
On their arrival at the orphanage they were met by scores of little
children from the school for the deaf who jumped up and down with joy as
they saw the visitors. Carl-Wilhelm was overjoyed, too, as he lifted the
children up into the air, hugging them one by one, making them laugh and
squeal with happiness.
One could see that the RI president was not new to caring for children.
With three grandchildren of his own he knew how best to make them happy.
On their departure, one could also see not only sadness in the eyes of
the children as they made the ‘I love you’ in sign language, but more so
it was evident in the president’s eyes as they made their way across the
compound to visit the orphans.
On reaching the room where the little ones are quartered, the president
went from cradle to cradle touching, playing, lifting the babies up into
his arms and giving them as much love as he could in such a short period
of time.
 Mrs.
Radchada Chomjinda welcomes the RI president to the Pattaya Orphanage.
The president visited a playpen where infants lay on little mattresses
drinking milk from bottles or were fast asleep. He held bottles of milk
for many of them to drink out of. One baby was just 3 weeks old.
Curious as to how a baby came to be in the orphanage at such a tender
age, he was told of the sad state of affairs. “Some of them are brought
in when they are only a few days old,” said the nurse. “When a mother
realizes that she would not be able to care for the baby, she would
decide to bring him/her to the orphanage, where babies are ensured care
and love from the people who work here.
“Sometimes the mother would have already spoken to the orphanage to
accept their unborn child, as they were fully aware that they would not
be able to nurture them once they came into the world.”
“I feel so much affection for the people who work here,” said the
president. “It takes very special people to be able to dedicate their
lives to caring for these orphaned babies.”
One of the volunteers was a young man who was raised at the orphanage
during his childhood and had just graduated from university. “I have
come back to help the orphanage,” he said. “I was so happy here. Father
Ray (Brennan) and the nurses raised me as their very own. Now I want to
give some of that love back to the new kids who will live here
throughout their youth and help them get the same opportunity as I
have.”
The president was told that Rotary Clubs in the area had been supporting
the orphanage for the last 30 years.
The president’s next stop was at the Redemptorist School for the
disabled, where he was met by father Lawrence Patin, head of the Father
Ray Foundation. A presentation of their work there was given by by
Sister Pavinee Phichaisrisawat, Udomchoke Churat and Chanasta Ruanyen
focusing on the Independent Living (IL) programme for the physically
challenged.
The president’s entourage toured classrooms where the physically
challenged were taught subjects ranging from computer sciences,
electronic repairs and other related vocations. Again it was impressed
upon the RI President that in addition to financial support from the
government sector and many charity organizations, a substantial part of
this help also came for the Rotary Clubs in Pattaya and around Thailand.
On his departure from the centre President Stenhammar said, “I am very
impressed with what you do here, even though I know so little about your
work.” He added, “We usually have a tendency to always mention how many
millions of dollars are spent implementing these projects, but can you
imagine the amount of man-hours that Rotarians put into getting projects
accomplished? It’s enormous, but that is what 1.2 million Rotarians
around the world are prepared to do everyday of their lives. That’s what
Rotary is all about.”
| Later the same evening, RI President
Stenhammar attended the Rotary Inter City meeting held at the
Town in Town Hotel. Pattaya Mail will publish a report of this
event including excerpts from his keynote speech next week. |
President Carl-Wilhelm
makes a point, much to the amusement of Father Lawrence Patin and Sister
Pavinee Phichaisrisawat.
Jan Olav guides the RI
President on a visit to the Rotary Peace monument in the Queen Sirikit
Park.
Carl-Wilhelm is an expert
at taking care of babies.
Jan Olav and Katrine
Christen have their hands full.
Carl-Wilhelm observes
attentively as a handicapped student works on the computer.
Sister Pavinee
Phichaisrisawat, Udomchoke Churat, Kamman Srisa-ard and Chanasta Ruanyen
welcome the RI president to the Redemptorist Center.
Noraseth learns how to use
sign language.
The children say ‘I love
you’.
On their arrival President
Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar (center) and RI Director Noraseth Pathmanand
(3rd left) were welcomed by (l-r) Jan Olav Aamlid, Pratheep Malhotra, DG
Jin Srikasikorn, Royal Cliff Beach Resort GM Alex Haeusler, and Marcel
Sawyere, resident manager of the Royal Wing.
Stenhammar hammers home the Rotary world view
In a very frank face-to-face exclusive
interview with Dr. Iain Corness of Pattaya Mail on TV, President
Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar expounds on his world vision for Rotary
International.
Dr. Iain Corness
Rotary International’s world president Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar spent a
few days in Thailand as part of his self-imposed brief to gain an even
better understanding of local and world issues that face the Rotary
world. And that Rotary world is a large one, with over 32,000 clubs
spanning 168 countries.
The softly spoken Swede demonstrated a refreshingly different approach
to his tenure in the top job at Rotary International, eschewing the
usual round of grand welcoming dinners, but rather getting down to mix
with the rank and file in the Rotary districts all over Thailand by
joining their inter-city meetings. For example, he was not averse to
getting his hands dirty, helping in the construction of weirs (earth
dams) in Northern Thailand. His presence, although symbolic, showed that
during his presidency, Rotary International is getting in touch with the
grass-roots.
 While
in Pattaya, he was only too pleased to sit down in front of the Pattaya
Mail TV cameras for an exclusive interview and expound on his world
vision for Rotary International. In a very frank face to face, he took
the initiative in discussing such thorny problems as sectarian violence
and female oppression. With Rotary International being a non-political
and non-sectarian organization, it is in the position to be able to
cross conflicting political and religious boundaries. “We can play a
vital role in today’s society. We can reach areas where governments
cannot reach. We could act like the UN,” said President Stenhammer.
He was also very open in his support of women in the community, and very
quickly showed that Rotary International is looking forward to its first
female president, as women move up through the ranks towards the Rotary
International board. He admitted that his organization did not admit
women until 1989, but now they were pushing women towards leadership
positions. In fact, when Afghanistan re-started Rotary after the US led
invasion, its first local president was a woman. He also felt that with
women assuming positions of responsibility in the world political
arenas, citing Angela Merkel, the Ghandis in India and Condoleezza Rice
and Madeleine Albright in the USA as examples of women today rising
through the ranks of what has been traditional male strongholds, this
will in turn improve the lot of women in the developing world. However,
he again showed his grasp on reality, mentioning that this will take
time, but Rotary International will assist in all ways that it can.
During this year of his presidency, he has revived the motto “Service
above Self” which should be the cornerstone of any service organization,
but one that can be forgotten by members who can see opportunities for
self promotion within the charitable works. Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar is
living this motto, and will be remembered for the work and results he
has achieved, not for any personal traits or self-promotion. A
refreshing reminder of the true spirit of service.
 With
Rotary being represented globally, he took the position that
globalization was a reality, and his organization should use its
far-reaching local groups to strengthen ties between themselves, and to
use the inherent principles in globalization towards making a better
world for everyone. “With globalization, the service organizations will
play an important part in the future.” He mentioned that in his world
trip he had found three Rotary groups looking at being involved in the
provision of potable water for Kenya, and by putting the three in touch
with each other, the end result was a very much more efficient project
for the people there. A fine example of Rotary in action, being guided
by an enlightened board of management.
This was one of his platforms, stating that as a world body, the Rotary
International board looks at making strategic decisions, but its
function is to give guidance to the local clubs, not orders.
He has found his year as the Rotary International President “very
rewarding. I had no idea how many projects we have. I wake up with a
smile every morning. It has lifted my view.” He also said that he saw
himself in a dual role. The first being that to increase enthusiasm in
the local clubs and secondly through meeting with the Rotarians
throughout the world, find out what the rank and file want from the
Rotary International organization.
Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar has certainly shown himself as one of the most
approachable international figures to come to Pattaya. A president with
his sleeves rolled up!
EU ambassadors visit Northern camp for Burmese refugees
The Villagers waiting for
the arrival of the European ambassadors.
Andreas Aschaber
On May 3 and 4, the Austrian Embassy organized a visit for the
ambassadors of all the member states of the European Union to Baan Kwai
Nai Soi refugee camp, located in Mae Hong Son close to the border
between Thailand and Burma.
 The
Language Learning Center provides courses in Thai, English and Burmese.
Representatives of organizations that included TBBC (Thailand Burma
Border Consortium), UNHCR (United Nations High Commission of Refugees,
IRC (International Rescue Committee) and JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service)
provided briefings.
TBBC plays a leading role at the camp, which currently accommodates some
19,000 refugees from Burma, being responsible for the construction of
housing and the organizing of food supplies. The IRC takes care of the
medical supplies and health facilities, while the JRS is occupied with
education.
Following the briefing, the diplomats visited the camp on the following
day. The refugees live in basic bamboo houses, but the staples of daily
life are secured. Visited were the center of professional training and
the language center. These facilities should guarantee a later
re-integration of the refugees into everyday life. From the beginning of
this year they have been taught foreign languages, mostly Thai. There is
also training in computer use and an art school. A blacksmith’s shop and
a training site to produce clay tiles widen the trade capacities.
Through this visit, organized under Austria’s current presidency of the
EU, there should be greater understanding and interest in the EU towards
the situation of the refugees in Thailand. Several member countries
currently provide aid for refugees from Burma.
The diplomats were happy to learn during their visit that new building
resources were freely allowed by the Thai government to construct
urgently needed infrastructure. The Austrian ambassador and
representative of the EU presidency, Arno Riedl, acknowledged the
readiness of the Thai government to welcome more refugees.
A blacksmith shows
practical work to improve handicraft skills.
The guests were taken to a
tour in the camp to inspect the facilities.
Jesters Care for Kids, PILC and Sattahip Oilfield Club join hands and help Khao Bai Sri School
From left to right: Lewis
Underwood, Jesters Care for Kids chairman, Kesra Pueknang, Khao Bai Sri
School director, Helle Rantsén, PILC Welfare Chairperson and Klahan
Chavasilp, Sattahip Oilfield Club chairman cut the ribbon to officially
open the newly completed children’s playground.
Klahan Chavasilp, Sattahip
Oilfield Club chairman, symbolically hands over one of 100 lunch trays
to Kesra Pueknang, Khao Bai Sri School director.
Ariyawat Nuamsawat & Karyn Walker, Jesters Care
for kids committee member
There were many smiling, happy faces at Khao Bai Sri School near Ban
Chang last week. Smiling along with all the children and teachers were
Helle Rantsén and Woody Underwood, representing the Pattaya
International Ladies Club and Jesters Care for Kids Charity Drive.
 Klahan
Chavasilp, in his capacity as school committee vice president, presents
a certificate of appreciation to Lewis Underwood, Jesters Care for Kids
chairman.
The Khao Bai Sri School in Plutaluang was the latest recipient in the
ongoing community effort to improve conditions for children in the
region. On Tuesday, May 24 members of the Jester’s Care Kids Committee,
Pattaya International Ladies Club (PILC) and the Sattahip Oilfield Club
paid a visit to the school to hand over some much needed items to
support this unique school.
Khao Bai Sri is unique in that it cares for around 44 children with
handicaps in addition to hundreds of mainstream students.
 Klahan
Chavasilp, in his capacity as school committee vice president, presents
a certificate of appreciation to Helle Rantsén, PILC Welfare
chairperson.
The activities centered more on what was happening outside the building
and it was easy to see what everyone was smiling about. The playground
area was refurbished and not only was there soft green grass – there was
lots of brightly colored playground equipment, too. A playhouse, swings,
tunnel, slides and sandpit – all hardwearing and safe - had been set out
beneath the beautiful shady trees. Thanks to the PILC for providing the
grass and Jesters Care for Kids for the terrific range of suitable play
equipment, the children have a safe and stimulating place to play
without having to contend with the hazards of old and rusting equipment.
 That’s
right, I’m happy. Today is a good day.
Om May 24, the day of the official presentation, Kesra Pueknang, school
director and Watchai Oonpanich, Chonburi region 3 education department
deputy director welcomed the school’s benefactors.
Following the official activities, the school formally presented Helle
and Woody with certificates of appreciation, but for them the best gift
was seeing the happy faces of the children and staff.
Representatives from the Sattahip Oilfield Club were also presented with
certificates of appreciation due to their continued involvement with Ban
Khao Bai Sri School. Club chairman, Klahan Chavasilp, and deputy, Billy
Zaenglein were welcomed and thanked for the club’s involvement with the
school. Over recent years, the club has constructed a library at the
school, donated computers, provided lunch trays and some treats for the
children on Children’s Day.
 This
is fun!
During earlier visits Helle discovered that there were few resources in
the area set aside for the handicapped children and that conditions were
very grim for both children and staff who were working with the group.
The children’s disabilities range from Down Syndrome and autism to
physical handicaps, so a safe, clean area was a priority. Last year
Jesters Care for Kids made sure that the building itself was renovated
and classrooms, shower and toilet facilities improved.
Kesra Pueknang told the visitors that the Khao Bai Sri School accepts
children from a number of other schools in the area and includes
children with various disabilities as well as mainstream students. “We
have 11 teachers caring for a total of 320 people in the school,
including 44 with autism and others with varying disabilities,” said
Kesra.
 Hoo
ya! Let have some fun in the playground.
As for the handicapped school, it is in the capable and very caring
hands of Bunshoe, a woman who has given 10 years of her life to care for
these very special children. “When the school day is over I take care of
5 of the children, so a day off does not happen very often, but the
children must always come first,” said Bunshoe.
The school was opened on May 1, 1973, has grown steadily in numbers over
the years, and has become a great example of how different groups have
worked together and provided opportunities for children in need.
Society needs people with
big hearts.
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