Our Children
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Tanaree Fungpinyopap honored with the Special Inspiration Award

Making Dreams Real for the Miraculous Child

PILC and Jesters support Kate’s Christmas Party

An early Christmas for Redemptorist Children’s Home

Tanaree Fungpinyopap honored with the Special Inspiration Award

Duang Prateep Foundation makes dreams real for miraculous child

Phasakorn Channgam
Tanaree Fungpinyopab, lovingly known as “Nui”, the 29 year old chief receptionist at the Redemptorist Center lodge, which operates under the management of the Father Ray Foundation, was blessed and recognized for her good work and fighting spirit under extreme adversity when she was chosen as one of the very few youngsters in Thailand to receive the Youth Idol Award 2009 for being an outstanding role model for youth in the community.

Khru Prateep Ungsongtham, chairperson of the Duang Prateep Foundation hugs Nui as they pose for a happy photograph.
The Youth Idol Award was initiated on August 30, 2008 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Duang Prateep Foundation. Winners of the awards must show outstanding qualities in 3 categories: Education & Personal Development; Social Responsibilities & Community Development; and Morality.
This year the Duang Prateep Foundation chose 10 exceptional young people in Thailand to receive the prestigious awards which are presented in the name of Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Phannavadi.

Nui is loved and cared for by her uncle Cherdsak Pangsrisusan (left) and Khun Radchada Chomjinda ‘Toy’ (center) of the Pattaya Orphanage.
Nine of the recipients were from the Khlong Toei community in Bangkok. They were selected from 22 nominees by a committee with representation from the Duang Prateep Foundation, the Khlong Toei District office, the Port Police and a community representative. Three of the Khlong Toei youngsters were selected for their education achievements, three for their community activism and three for their support for their family or guardians.
But this year an extra special award was added because the committee felt that Tanaree indeed deserved to be a recipient of the “Special Inspiration Award”.

A correspondent interviews Nui for a show that will be broadcast in Japan.
The presentation ceremonies were held at the Duang Prateep Foundation in Bangkok on November 22, 2009, when family members and teachers watched emotionally as their children humbly yet proudly received their awards which were placed in front of the Royal portrait.
Amongst them was our very own Nui! So what makes Nui so special?
Thanaree ‘Nui’ Fungpinyopap was born without any arms or legs. Soon after birth, Thanaree’s mother left Thanaree and her father to start a new life. Thanaree was raised with great love and dedication by her father.

Nui writes a note for this reporter using a pen pressed between her arm and cheek.
After Thanaree completed high school, her father died, leaving Thanaree in despair and thinking she would not be able to live without her father’s help. The step-mother who had married Thanaree’s father a few years before did not want Thanaree around.
In the following years Thanaree moved through several homes and jobs before she completed a two year computer and business management course at the Redemptorist Vocational School for the Disabled in Pattaya. Thanaree went on to complete her studies, earning a BA degree in Public Relations at Sukhothai Thammathirat University.

Nui, hard at work on the computer in her office.
Nui spoke to Pattaya Mail saying, “I feel so honored and proud of having received the Youth Idol Award 2009 from the Dung Prateep foundation.
“I thank Khru Prateep Ungsongtham, chairperson of the Duang Prateep Foundation for especially submitting my name to receive such a prestigious award. I was very excited and highly honored as one of the disabled women to be given this honor. I realized from my experience that a youth role model doesn’t need to be one with a complete set of limbs and organs. What is more important is that they should have these 3 vital qualifications, namely education, social responsibility and morality. I have always lived by these tenets.”

Nui poses on her electric wheelchair which was presented to her by Rotarians in Pattaya.
Nui remembers her childhood days when she only had her father to care for her. “He loved me very much. He always said, ‘Don’t be intimidated by people who look down upon you. You may be physically handicapped, but if they look at you in disdain, then it is they who are mentally handicapped. You should be proud that you are able to take care of yourself and are not a burden on anyone. Plus you are a very talented girl and you will succeed in life.’ Those words have give me the strength and determination to carry on and become what I am today.”
After having spoken to Nui one felt that Nui never seems discouraged about anything. Not once during our conversation did we feel that she was handicapped. She has a positive outlook on life, is very bubbly and always smiles. Nui told us that she never thinks that she’s handicapped. She tells herself that she can do the same things that other people can do.
“I have been self-dependant since I was very young. My disability hasn’t obstructed my life, and I am able to work and generate an income to support my family as well.”
Thanaree now works at the Father Ray Foundation in Pattaya. She has also been an inspirational speaker at several events for Khlong Toei youths.
Nui recounted the philosophy that governs her life, “Positive thinking is everything - speak only with good words - treat others as you wish to be treated - give and you will receive.”


Making Dreams Real for the Miraculous Child

As I stood at Fr. Ray’s grave in silent prayer,
 I didn’t notice that Nui was right there by my side.

Read about the Miraculous Child on the Pattaya Mail
web site: www.pattayamail.com/787/kids.shtml


PILC and Jesters support Kate’s Christmas Party

A & O decide to take home the balloons,
but are now forced to figure out how to get them home on a motorbike.

Ingrid Cunliffe
With help from the Pattaya International Ladies Club and Jesters Care for Kids, Kate’s Project, which is situated in Soi Siam, recently organized their first Xmas party!
The project supports 110 slum area families and on this day it was impressive to see the turnout of families that made the effort to celebrate.
PILC funded 90 food bags consisting of 3 kilos of rice, a large bottle of oil, a large bottle of fish sauce, mama noodles, tins of sardines and soap. These were gratefully accepted as me, Kathleen Petras, Lewis Underwood and Bernard handed them out.
Jesters funded some of the games prizes, drinks and food, and included an impressive pig on a spit, which I can tell you went down very well. The feedback from the guests was: “Aroy mak-mak!”

(L to R) Ingrid, Bernard, Woody and Kathleen
hand out Christmas gifts to the children.

Ingrid (3rd right) says, these are “my amazing assistants and friends in Pattaya.”

Happy youngsters pose in front of the Christmas tree.

Kate’s Project enjoyed and impressive
turnout for their first ever Christmas party.


An early Christmas for Redemptorist Children’s Home

Christmas cheer!

Mrs. N. Choochai
This year Satit Udomseuksa School was reminded by one of our kindergarten classes, what’s really important about Christmas.
Mr. Brown’s class decided that this year they would donate a Christmas gift each to children less fortunate than themselves. The bags of gifts and homemade cupcakes were presented by some of Satit Udomseuksa School staff since the school has already closed for the holiday season.
We would like to make an appeal to all readers to remember these little children in Redemptorist Children’s Home, Pattaya. Open your hearts and generously contribute gifts to these little ones so that they, too, may know the joy of receiving something special. Contact for Redemptorist Children’s Home: 038 249 872 / www.fr-ray.org

Satit Santa helpers handing out gifts and cupcakes.