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Rotary Clubs of Taksin-Pattaya and Singapore visit Pattaya Orphanage
Rotarians from Taksin-Pattaya
and Singapore became completely enraptured by their little friends when the
Rotarians made a generous donation to the Pattaya Orphanage.
Rotary is an organisation of business and professional
leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high
ethical standards in all vocations, and help build peace and goodwill in the
world.
That was highlighted recently when 2 Rotary Clubs from different countries
joined hands and handed a cheque over to the Pattaya Orphanage for US
$2,000, that being raised by the Rotarians from Singapore.
Assistant District Governor Dieter H. Precourt, President Charles Evans of
the Taksin-Pattaya Club, and fellow Rotarians from both Singapore and
Taksin-Pattaya paid a visit to the orphanage and street kids projects on the
14th of October and gave a most generous donation of US$2,000.
Father Patin escorted the visitors around the orphanage with most time being
spent in the baby rooms, much to the delight of the active mini-toddlers
there. It soon became clear that very often all that is needed is a hug or
embrace! All barriers were soon breached, as reaching hands were grasped and
the Rotarians became completely enraptured by their little friends.
Kasetsart University students view Siam Bayshore’s Green Leaf achievements
Potel models show off the
clothing they had made from recycled material.
Narisa Nitikarn
Lecturers and students from Kasetsart University’s Faculty of
Agriculture visited the Siam Bayshore Hotel on October 13 to see at
first hand the measures the hotel is taking in environmental
conservation for the Green Leaf project.
The hotel’s environmental program has been devised by Chatchawal Inkong,
rooms division manager, Pensom Nithibunyapan, personnel manager, and
Nittaya Rangsiwararak, housekeeping manager. Siam Bayshore has been a
Green Leaf member for nine years.
The students, who were all from the Department of Agricultural Extension
and Communication and were at master’s degree level, examined the way in
which the hotel recycles refuse. They visited all parts of the hotel
that have an environmental conservation program, and saw how flowers
grown along the walkways are picked to decorate guestrooms, and
therefore reduce expenses.
Chatchawal spoke about the Green Leaf project, describing how the hotel
takes leftovers from meals to ferment into an organic fertilizer. All
garbage is sorted into wet, dry and recyclable garbage. Some of it is
sold, with the income going to the employees.
Being environmentally conscious in such a tangible way has also had a
strong positive effect on the image of the hotel, with guests
appreciating the work that is being done, and even helping in
categorizing garbage along with other environmentally friendly aspects
of the hotel such as helping to reduce energy usage.
The Siam Bayshore Hotel works with the Pattaya City Public Health
Department to exchange data concerning new environmental techniques.
The Fobissea Music Festival at Garden International School
7th - 12th November 2006
Fobissea: it’s here!
by Andrew Watson
Then suddenly, it was here. Eighteen months of concentrated activity by
literally hundreds of individuals working together as an all-powerful unit,
is about to bear fruit.
One of the most ambitious undertakings ever considered by an International
school in Thailand is to be put to the ultimate test. The Fobissea Music
Festival, hosted by Garden International School, 7th - 12th November 2006 is
upon us. The culmination of endless hours of organisation and meticulous
attention to detail will come together in the biggest collaboration and
celebration of music that the Federation of British International schools in
South East Asia has ever seen. It’s an astonishing, remarkable achievement
already, yet it hasn’t even begun. Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised; in a
Garden of such rich blooms, something was bound to blossom.
 Of
course, the sunflower among many beautiful flowerets, the cantata in a
chorus of orchestral accompaniment, the lead singer in the band, so to sing,
has been Shane O’Shea. I have been following this music maker’s progress
over the past nine weeks and it has always been illuminating and often
inspiring. At the heart of his work, which seems to infuse his every waking
hour, has been unswerving commitment to his objective, complete confidence
in his ability to ‘pull it off’ and perhaps most splendid of all, the
capacity and the desire which only a true teacher can express, to empower
students through Waterford crystalline inspiration.
Hard but fair, Shane knows what he wants and he knows how to get it. As
awareness of the potential of the project has grown, so has the team he has
built around him. There is a strong sense of shared common purpose and
bustling business about the school as the opening approaches. The branding
of the show has been a clever idea executed with precision and panache,
personified by Chris Stokes. Soon, students will have the T-shirt, the pen,
the book and the DVD and most of all, the memories of an incredible
experience which has become an example of ‘best practice’ on many levels.
Even the tickets are eye-catching; splendid souvenirs indeed.
Not least among the tangible successes achieved by the Fobissea team has
been the relationship built up with local media, particularly the Pattaya
Mail and PMTV. Weekly TV shows have updated viewers on the progress being
made towards the festival, whilst introducing the wider public along the
Eastern Seaboard to some of the characters who will be playing leading roles
the extravaganza.
The best thing of all? The concept, stories and filming are generated by the
students; it is their project and they should have control over its
direction. Another dimension of possibility has thus been opened up for
students and future collaboration is inevitable. The weekly programmes are
to be made into a documentary DVD, including associated music and coverage
from the festival. These weekly articles from the Pattaya Mail, will form a
book.
Such is the lasting brilliance of creative ventures as the Fobissea Music
Festival; they generate life changing passion. I’m looking forward to it
hugely. You should come along, too.
Watch TV coverage of the unfolding Fobissea festival at GIS every Friday on
PMTV.
For further information, please email music.fest@ gardenrayong.com or check
at the GIS website; www. gardenrayong.com
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