Scott Lyon
I was honoured to be invited to the end of a charity walk from the
Regent’s International School Pattaya. The walk was part of a charity drive
by a man named Glenn Croston who is striving to develop his foundation, the
Croston House Children’s Home, into being a secure resource enabling
children and young adults the chance for an education and opportunities into
employment.
John
Rolf and Glenn Croston walk behind to keep an eye on things ahead. (Photo by
Scott Lyon)
This is the second time he has walked this route, the other occasion being
last year when he walked it in the opposite direction from Banglamung to
Makrue Chae, in his home province of Lamphun 900 kilometres away.
At 9 a.m. a short assemble was called at the secondary school informing the
hundreds of children about what their contributions had done to aid the
Foundation over the past year and what was hoped to happen over the coming
year. Staff and classes quickly formed into their appropriate groups and we
were off.
Glenn
crosses the finishing line. (Photo by Scott Lyon)
I decided to let the troops get into their stride and walked back and forth
between teachers and their groups to monitor the levels of enthusiasm and
appreciate the beautiful countryside surrounding the school. It was a
peaceful sunny start to the 15 km ahead. Motivation was robust and the
walkers well behaved. Our path lay through some wilderness as well as some
roads which allowed for a wide variety of scenery to be appreciated. Before
I knew it we were at a rest stop at the Pong Municipality building and I
decided it was high time to get talking to Glenn himself.
I noticed as we set back on the trail that Glenn had a swollen foot and was
limping a touch. He explained this year he had cut down from 6 weeks walking
to 4 with the hopes of getting back to Makrue Chae and his work - something
he regretted and will try to account for with some days off for rest if he
does this again.
Glenn
points the children to the bus that they helped raise money for last year.
(Photo by Graeme Kennedy)
I asked him what he saw his work as being and was astonished and a little
impressed with the patient, determined reasons expressed which had us
walking alone side-by-side for the next 3 kilometres. Glenn had been
teaching English in some factories around Laem Chabang Industrial Estate
when one day whilst out having dinner the idea of helping those further out
and with fewer opportunities came into his head. The idea pestered his
thoughts over the following weeks so much that he felt he had to act upon
it. He and his wife Ros moved to Lamphun in 2005 and started taking in
disadvantaged children. One year later their labours were given foundation
status and then, he says, the work really started.
Prunilla,
Josh and Chai at the Siam Golf Club. (Photo by Graeme Kennedy)
Building up and establishing a reputation for his foundation is a key
priority for Glenn. As well as allowing donations to buy essential items,
such as Regent’s’ 180K baht from last year which bought a pick-up truck,
opening up dialogues with local businesses and organisations, permits the
chance for partnership work either by sharing resources or letting one of
his young adults get work experience.
“Most employers won’t entertain the notion of having a young person work for
them unless they have finished their schooling. We try to motivate and
support our children to complete theirs and pass the message of success onto
others.”
As well as being impassioned about bettering young people’s lives for
employment he spoke with refrained glee about sports and its effects on
children. “Sport is a great leveller,” he stated. “Social status, economic
background and personal prejudices don’t exist during sport. Everyone is as
equal as their abilities through sport. It creates team players and it
allows for individual brilliance.”
I learned that some of his kids had played in the Chang Mia sixes, a
reputable cricket session, and took part in rugby and football due to his
diligent networking with outside organisations.
Stocking up on energy for the
final leg of the journey.
(Photo by Phasakorn Channgam)
On why walking was his choice of activity with the school
he said, “Independence is a good thing. Walking lets everyone go at their
own pace. It’s still hard work and you earn satisfaction from it but almost
everyone can join in.” This was certainly true as many of the children from
the home were walking and chatting with children from Regent’s.
After a short refreshment break at Magnolias resort, I left Glenn and made
my way to the front amidst the bustle of children, some of who were starting
to show some fatigue.
I spoke with John Rolf, the head of secondary for Regent’s about the walk.
He said there was over 350 kids and 50 staff on the walk this year and
sponsorship was looking promising. “It’s nice for a large group such as
Regent’s to be seen supporting an enterprise as great as this,” he mused as
we ambled along.
The walk begins from Regent’s.
(Photo by Scott Lyon)
He told me the tale of Josh Moses, a student at the
school who had decided to run the entire course instead of walk, as well as
help organise the children and prepare them for the excursion. Glenn’s
earlier sentiment about sport levelling and allowing for brilliance echoed
in my head as we entered the magnificent Siam Country Club where the staff
and students took a break and had their lunch.
The final leg onto the Siam Golf Club was walked under the scorching midday
sun. I walked between groups of students and was given a variety of opinions
on the walk. While a few were tired or achy from the trek, all were upbeat
about helping Glenn and his foundation.
An older Thai girl from one group explained, “It is essential that everyone
works together to help the world. Whatever you can do you should.”
An English boy from another group stated, “I might not raise much money, but
not much for me might be a lot for the children at the home.”
The walkers form a long line.
(Photo by Graeme Kennedy)
Freeing myself from the refreshing ideals of youth I
marched ahead of the group to the end of the course and was met by owner
Chai and his staff at the stunning Siam Golf Course, who were also
sponsoring the event. Refreshments had been laid out by the club for the
children as they crossed the finishing line and were well received by all.
As Glenn, who had been walking at the rear, crossed the line a flash of
lightning occurred. Soon Glenn, his children, Chai and the Regent’s students
had their photographs taken on the completed affair as refreshing rain began
to pour down with what seemed like a thunderous applause from the heavens.
Back at the school some technical mishap prevented the Regent’s bus from
transporting me back into Pattaya. Rather than get a taxi I decided to take
a leaf from Glenn’s book and walked the 15km back into town. Along the way I
pondered how progressive education in private schools balances with
Education Minister Jurin Laksanawisit’s 9 year program to invigorate
Thailand’s state schools and concluded that every step closer we get to a
critical thinking culture throughout Thailand is a step in the right
direction for everyone who calls here home.
We made it! (Photo by
Phasakorn Channgam)
Trudging through the
countryside. (Photo by Phasakorn Channgam)
Some of the children from
Croston House enjoying lunch
at the Siam Country Club. (Photo by Scott Lyon)
Workshops
in action.
Mask
Workshop.
Preparing
for the finale.
Gerda
applies stage make-up.
Aida
leads the dance.
After
the ceremony the children entertained the guests with traditional
dancing.