Duang Prateep Foundation Monthly Newsletter for January 2015 Flame of Hope Foundation’s Visit to DPF Four Flame of Hope Foundation committee members from the United States, Ms. Patricia & Prof. Joe Heim, Mr. Dick Record and Mr. Ross Brand visited the Duang Prateep Foundation on 5thJanuary. Joining the group was Mr. Bob Wilson, a sponsor and former lecture at Thammasat University. Ms. Prateep welcomed them and took them to observe the Montessori Educational teaching system at the DPF Kindergarten. The Flame of Hope Foundation is a DPF-support foundation that was established by Ms. Karen Dahl in the United States, and has been supporting us for almost 20 years. __________________________________________________ Children’s Day in the Slum In 2016, Thailand will be stepping into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). Thus, this year the Duang Prateep Foundation organized a program, combining knowledge and entertainment, to promote children’s understanding of our neighbouring countries on National Children’s Day, on 11th January. The theme of the program was “Slum Children (Enjoy) Food, Culture and ASEAN Languages.” One way to accomplish this objective is to familiarize children from Thailand and neighboring countries with each other, their languages and ways of life. Activities included setting up eight booths for children to learn about aspects of ASEAN, such as ASEAN food, children’s safety, taking pictures with ASEAN traditional dress, lucky draws, etc – and talent shows e.g., dancing, singing etc. Moreover, the foundation also made awards to nine families from three different communities in the “Nice and Warm Family” project, which encourages people to realize the warmth and happiness in families. Approximately 2,000 children participated in these activities. Also joining the fun were two winners from “THE VOICE Thailand” TV show who entertained the children with their singing. Honorary chairperson was Mr. Osamu Izawa, Minister from the Embassy of Japan who presided over the ceremony; other special guests were Ms. Karen Doyle & Mr. Scott Evans (Board members of Hands Across the Water), Mr. Shoji Ono (Chairperson of Thai-Rissho Foundation), Mr. Yuji Matsushima from MBS Television, students from Josuikan School from Japan, Emeritus Prof. Sant Hathirat, M.D (DPF Chairperson) and Mrs. Prateep Ungsongtham Hata. All the children returned home with big smiles and many gifts from the kind adults. ‘Hands Across The Water’ Bike Ride Hands Across the Water from Australia organized bike riding activities to raise funds to support underprivileged children and support organizations in Thailand, including the Duang Prateep Foundation. Bike riders came from Australia and New Zealand. This year the children and youths from three organizations joined together to welcome the bikers. The bike riders divided into two groups for two separate rides; 30 riders cycled to Yasothon Province to an organization that HATW supports, and the second group of 100 people rode south to the Baan Than Namchai Foundation, in Phang-nga Province. During the second ride, Khru Prateep brought children and youths from both New Life Projects to welcome the cyclists at Tung Woa Lan, and also organized a show to encourage the riders for the rest of their journey. Ms. Prateep, herself, also performed a wonderful dance for them. On 22 January, all cyclists finally arrived at Baan Than Namchai Foundation (BTNC). Khru Prateep, Ms. Rotjana Phraesrithong (President of BTNC), Ms. Suthasinee Noi-in (founder of Suthasinee Noi-in Foundation) ,the children and youths welcomed them. During 20-22 January, HATW also held a “Talent Night Competition” event. They invited the children to display their talents and compete for the prize. Later, the winner of the “Talent Night” performed for the cyclists during the reception party on 22 January. These special activities ended with happiness, full of power, and encouragement for each other. The supportive cyclists saw the formerly unfortunate children and youths become lucky people, growing up with a bright future and able to support themselves, their family and society in the future. Cigma CSR Day Cigma Insurance Public Company Limited is an expert in insurance through tele-marketing and direct sales in Thailand. Its CEO & Country Manager, Mr. Gus Giraldo, led 30 staff members to visit the Duang Prateep Foundation on 24 January. They were welcomed by Emeritus Prof. Sant Hathirat (DPF chairperson) and DPF staff. Every year, Cigma Insurance (Public) Ltd. organizes CSR activities in order to return benefit to society. This year they arranged health checks for 100 sponsored children of the Duang Prateep Foundation by a doctor from Phayathai Hospital. The activities started with recreation between Cigma staff and the children, playing games while children were waiting for their medical checks. The results of the basic medical checkups found that, in general the children are healthy but many children have decayed teeth. He recommended that children should eat more nutritious food and eat sweets and candy in moderation. __________________________________________________________________________________ Pranic Healing Pranic Healing Thailand is a place where people interested in healing, spirituality, meditation and personal growth can join together and help each other to grow, improve and give service to their fellow men. Pranic Healing is a no-touch, no-drug, energy- based healing practice, developed by Grandmaster Choa Kok Sui, which uses Prana, Chi or Life Force to improve physical and psychological health. On 28 January, four staff of Pranic Healing Thailand came and gave knowledge about the body system and how to easily take care of ourselves. Moreover they also showed how to cure the elder citizens’ various symptoms. ======================================================================== Duang Prateep Foundation 34 Lock 6, Art Narong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: (+66)2-671-4045~8 Fax: (+66)2-249-5254 Email:[email protected] .