Duang Prateep Foundation

Monthly Newsletter for April 2015

Help for the Sick from Mr. & Mrs. Goepfert

On 2nd April, Mr. Juergen and Mrs. Veerawan Goepfert from Friends der Duang Prateep Foundation in Germany visited the foundation to get updates on its activities in order to report to their supporters back home. They also took the opportunity to present gifts to elder citizens who, due to being sick at home, could not join with their friends at the DPF on the occasion of Thai New Year (Songkran Day). The foundation has organized this annual celebration for elder citizens and

disabled people for many years. This activity helps cheer them up, and they can understand that we value them and have not forgotten them.

Cultural Exchange for Students from Saudi Arabia

On 2nd April, Ms. Prateep Ungsongtham Hata and 80 sponsored children welcomed 21 students from Aramco International School in Saudi Arabia, led by Mr. Michael Sliskovich and other teachers, to the Duang Prateep Foundation. Prior to their visit, three DPF-sponsored youths joined the Saudi students for activities over 11 days in Phuket Province, to learn about coral and wetlands, from 22nd March – 1st April.

The activities at the foundation consisted of game playing, learning Thai cooking, singing songs and dancing in order to build good relations among youths from different cultures.

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Songkran Ceremony for the Elderly and Disabled People

Duang Prateep Foundation organized its annual Songkran ceremony for elder citizens and disabled people on 9th April. This year we had the honor of Mr. Richard Chapman, General Manager of Sukhumvit Grande Sheraton Hotel, presiding over the ceremony. We also received support for the ceremony from the Stock Exchange of Thailand. There were around 450 people in attendance, including elder citizens, disabled people, representatives from local government organizations, private organizations and community leaders. The ceremony kicked off with welcome performances by the youths and an official welcome from Emeritus Prof. Sant Hathirat, M.D, Mrs. Prateep Ungsongtham Hata spoke on the background and objectives of the ceremony, while Ms. Kanokwan Kemmalai, representative from the Stock Exchange of Thailand also gave words of greeting.

Presentations of gifts to 10 elder citizens who help in community activities were also organized to thank them for their devotion to society and to hold them up as role models for the people. A special dinner was also provided to the participants, including succulent Thai sausages from the Sukhumvit Grande Sheraton Hotel. Participants were happy and ready to start with a happy spirit after the Thai Festival.

Outstanding Youths Meet Princess Ubonratana Rajakanya

As part of events marking the birthday of her Royal Highness Princess Ubonratana this month, DPF secretary-general, Prateep Ungsongtham Hata, was granted permission to take nine outstanding youths to be presented to the princess on 5th April. The nine youth awardees were selected from a list of nominees, by a committee comprised of the DPF representatives, local Klong Toey community residents, district office officials, policemen, a school director and community leaders

The nine youths had earlier received their awards as outstanding role models at a ceremony at the Duang Prateep Foundation on 15th November 2014.

As in other years, awards were given for three different criteria: (1) academic achievement and self development, (2) service to the community and society, and (3) service to the family and moral integrity.

The princess talked with them and was interested in the achievements of the young people. She also inquired about the situation of the Klong Toey community and the Duang Prateep Foundation. This was indeed a special and proud time for them in their life.

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Help for the Penang Market Fire Victims

In the early afternoon on 26th April, a fire broke out in the Penang Market community in Klong Toey destroying 11 houses, and affecting 34 families in all. Ms. Prateep Ungsongtham Hata and staff of the foundation rendered assistance by donating essential items for their life such as rice, kitchenware, food, etc. This community has 705 people and lives at the land of the Port Authority of Thailand.

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New Life Project Children’s Ordination

Young children of the New Life Project, both boys and girls, ordained as young monks and young nuns at Wat Thasadej Temple for a month (2nd April-3rd May) during the summer school holidays. They learned many things, such as morals, manners, basic dharma and meditation. In Thailand, young novices and nuns are a fairly common sight, particularly during the summer school holidays (March-May).

======================================================================= Duang Prateep Foundation 34 Lock 6, Art Narong Road, KlongToey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Tel: (+66)2-671-4045~8 Fax: (+66)2-249-5254 Email:dpf_found@hotmail.com