The little ones at the Baby room enjoyed the great attention given by the caring visitors, while the children of the Sotpattana School for the Deaf where able to let off steam at the motivation room. Their visit started with a brief video informing about the history of the orphanage and the life of the children living here and ended with a guided tour around the compound, so our visitors were able to get impressions with their own eyes. Finally there has been a small exchange of souvenirs between the Navy and Khun Toy, the director of HHNFT. However it did not remain with giving the children an enjoyable time only, but the Navy group also donated medical goods, sweets and money. Thus they will help providing a good life for the children in the future. Moreover the guests were very interested in our work and in the opportunities to support the children sustainably such as a sponsorship.

For all these great efforts we want to say thank you to all the members of the Navy group and especially to their chaplain Father Lito.

Upon their arrival the 36 visitors get to know the Orphanage by watching a short VTR about the daily activities and happening.  Later they split up into three groups, so different groups of children could enjoy intensive attention of the visitors. These had the pleasure to spend their energy at the motivation room with the children of the School for the Deaf. With the toddlers they were engaged by playing ball and running games. And last but not least, at the baby room the visitors had the chance to take care of each child individually.

Before leaving, group photos are taken and the female Chaplain Thamsen and Khun Toy, Director of HHN Foundation exchange souvenirs to appreciate the work of each other and good cooperation.  We want to thank Khun Peter Thorand for constant good cooperation by giving groups of the US Navy and Marine the opportunity to share their laughter, smiles and happiness with our children.

Last year a group of young football players of the Pattaya Orphanage had the chance to visit Germany and enjoy their holidays there. Now the time had come to answer the visit. Therefore, a group of children living in socially difficult circumstances started its journey at the 27^th of October. During the whole visit they were accompanied by the HHNFT-team and we are very happy that we could help with the organization.The patron of this initiative is the successful German football manager Reiner Calmund. The team was housed at the Thai Garden Resort, the owner of which, Gerrit Niehaus, had proven his generosity by sponsoring the whole logging.  Thanks to him again, the children also had the possibility to spend some time on his sailing yacht and enjoy the sea. Further examples of the activities are the visits of the “Flight of the Gibbon”-high ropes course and of the Big Buddha statue. However, the main focus was – as mentioned – the exchange with the children from the HHNFT-projects in Thailand. Hence, the group visited the CPDC on Monday, the 31^st of October, and had a look at the facilities, especially at the sleeping rooms of the children.

At this occasion the German visitors also handed out the money they had collected by playing football; it allows to buy Christmas presents for all the children in the CPDC.  Afterwards, the children had time to play together which of course ended up in playing football. What is more, the whole weekend was determined by the exchange with the children from the Pattaya Orphanage. On Saturday, the children who had visited Germany last year went to the Thai Garden Resort to join the German team for a pool party. This day will remain in the memories of everybody not only because of the great food, but most of all because of the huge fun while playing in the water. Eventually, on Sunday, the final day of the exciting journey, a football game took place between the team of the Pattaya Orphanage and the German group. After this amicable competition everybody came together for a nice farewell dinner. Thus a trip ended which offered both, great fun and rich experiences, and which will not fall into oblivion.

In the name of all participants we want to express our gratefulness towards everybody who made this little summer fairy tale possible. Special thanks go to Reiner Calmund and Gerrit Niehaus.

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What is more, this event organised by the charity organisation “Human Help Network Foundation Thailand” had a specific purpose since all the revenues go to the education found of the Pattaya Orphanage. But the concert did not only promote the children’s welfare concerning financial issues but additionally, believe it or not, 1050 children from 13 different projects could enjoy this unique day together with 1000 other guests.  This was rendered possible by the contributions of numerous benefactors. Here, especially the owner of the Alangkarn Theatre, Khun Boy, excelled: He provided his theatre including all the facilities for free and moreover he sponsored lunch for all the children – as a cherry on the cake they savoured burgers, French fries and fried rice of McDonalds. Afterwards everybody – among which was the representative of the minister of culture as guest of honour -enjoyed the show itself.  But not only professional actors proved their skills but 35 children from the PO performed a traditional Thai dance as well. Thus they could actively contribute to this special day. Following this nice introduction Gadä and Gadai elated everybody with a groovy act whereupon the star of the evening entered the stage: Khun Eid. Together with his group consisting of humorous musicians and dancers as well as the musical comedians Lala and Lulu he made the audience laugh non-stop. Therefore everybody was very exalted afterwards and not even the following rain could cloud the atmosphere. Thus a successful day drew to a close which brought pleasure as well as it was charitable.

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After having arrived they were introduced into the Orphanage-life by means of a short movie. Afterwards they were divided into two groups each consisting of about 15-20 people. Initially, one joined the children of the school of the deaf playing in the recently built motivation room, while the other group spent time in the Babyroom. Later, they changed. Thus the soldiers proved impressively that they do not only know to ensure security but that they also can deal with children and babies with ease. Those enjoyed the visit of the exciting guests and played enthusisticly. Before leaving the group was also shown around thus getting an impression of the work at the Pattaya Orphanage. The initial idea of this great visit had the President of the Siam Council in Thailand of the Navy League of the United States, Peter Thorand. In the name of everybody we want to say thank you for this nice visit and invite to join us again.

On Saturday, the first teams arrived early in the morning and the group matches began. The participants played with a lot of vigour and the audience watched the matches with much delight. At the end of the day, the best eight out of twelve teams were identified. These teams took part in the quarter finals on Sunday. After many thrilling duels, the winners were found: Team SIAM SPORT DEUTSCHER FUSSBALL FANKLUB, sponsored by Reiner Calmund, triumphed. All teams were rewarded with certificates, Alangkarn tickets amongst others. The winning team, the 1st runner-up and the 2nd runner-up additionally received trophies. The man of the match was announced and also rewarded with a trophy. On both days, our participants and guests enjoyed delicious food: roasted pork, kanom krouk, french fries, German meatballs, chicken filled bitterballen and much more. Fortunately, the weather was fabulous and there were no serious injuries.

We thank all our participants and sponsors who made this tournament possible and joined us last weekend. All proceeds of the Charity Football Tournament will be donated to the Pattaya Orphanage, directly helping children in need.

Father Ray’s longtime selfless commitment has made the orphanage to what it is today: a future-oriented and caring home for hundreds of children. It all started 39 years ago with one child and developed into a big welfare organization during the last decades. Even today you can still feel Father Ray’s spirit. In the children’s hearts, he will always live. At the compound of the Pattaya Orphanage, a bronze statue reminds of Father Ray’s achievements and his big heart. Rest In Peace.

On Saturday, January 29^th the Pattaya Orphanage hosted a charity theatre group from Guangxi Region, China. Over 3,000 tickets were sold in the days and weeks before the event and an additional 500 tickets in front of the Orphanage before the show started.  This event was marked by the biggest attendance in the orphanage’s history. The event was a major success with all proceeds supporting the education fund for orphaned children.

The children, staff and assembled guests were delighted to see the daring acts of acrobatics performed by the Chinese troupe as well as by the feats of physical prowess that were truly astounding.

A banner commemorating various benefactors including the Maryvit Group of Schools, Boonthavorn, Thai Garden, Poseidon, Dr. Belen Clinic, Rue Mai, and the Human Help Network Foundation Thailand was the backdrop to the performance and an award ceremony was held before the show to thank them.

There were also various food and drink stalls whose proceeds will go towards the Pattaya Orphanage Education Fund as well.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who attended and also to give our heart-felt thanks to the group from Guangxi Region and all our great benefactors who made this event possible.

On the 24th of December a group of orphans and ex-orphans from the Pattaya Orphanage went carolling to various venues in Pattaya. They had been preparing for this special event for several weeks.

The carolling started with Mr Kurt Krieger’s Bavarian Christmas celebration. The children lit the candles on the christmas tree and sang the German Christmas song “Oh Tannenbaum“. The children were not only treated to some lovely snacks and drinks, they also were given many presents.  There was also a collection to which many people generously contributed.

They then proceeded to the Hard Rock hotel and café where they performed several songs to the delight of the assembled guests and patrons. There they were also treated to some lovely christmas snacks.                                                                          The children then went to the St Nicolas Church where they also sang.

On the 25th of december the orphanage celebrated Christmas day by inviting patrons, old residents and sponsors for food and festivities to the Pattaya orphanage.

They had set up a large stage with a sound system and beautiful decorations. Those that attended were treated to a medley of christmas songs as well as some traditional Thai dancing by the children and teachers who performed wonderfully. We were also treated to a touching speach delivered by Father Michael.

The orphans were also joined by the children from the Sotpattana School for the Deaf and the children from the CPDC. The CPDC children and staff thouroughly enjoyed themselves and joined in with all the festivities. They were especially happy when Mr Rainer Calmund gave them presents, his support helped to make their Christmas day special.

There was also a huge bouncy castle which the children loved, they all spent as much time as possible playing on it, only stopping to eat and drink.  There were various food stalls set up and everybody ate their fill of the wonderful traditional Thai cuisine on offer.

The older children enjoyed socialising with the adults who had been orphans, the whole event felt like a giant family reunion. There was also a raffle in which many prizes were given out. The older children were very excited and won many gifts.

We would like to thank everybody who helped make this day possible by donating money for the children’s presents. We would also like to thank the more than 30 German benefactors, including Mr Rainer Calmund, who were with us.

On Saturday, October 16

Of the various guests from Thailand and the rest of the world, many had come to Pattaya especially for this occasion. Among the numerous celebrities and special guests, it was an exceptionally great honor for us, as well as for the Alangkarn Theater, to welcome HRH Princess Bajarakitiyabha to the show.

After Fr. Michael Weera Phangrak, Executive Director of the Pattaya Orphanage had given a speech expressing his sincere thanks and great honor to his guests, the program started with Mr. Weeraphong Thaweesak and his astonishing play on the glass harp. Mr. Weeraphong Thaweesak is said to be one of Thailand’s most creative and gifted musicians of the present day.

The children of the Pattaya Orphanage and the Sotpatana School for the Deaf were next on stage, delivering a beautiful show of two dances. First over 50 of the Orphanage’s children performed “Welcome to Thailand” with a traditional Thai dance. The colorful costumes and the graceful moves made a wonderful visual experience for the guests. The children’s faces were bright with joy as they could finally present what they had been practicing for during the last weeks and months.

The children from the Sotpatana School for the Deaf made a lovely and really touching impression when performing “O, Beautiful Ocean”. Although unable to hear the music they proved impressively talented, moving according to the rhythm and looking real cute in their Hawaiian outfits. From the four year olds to the young adults, all the children had an awesome time and participated with great commitment and passion.

The children’s dances were followed by the actual musical “Samson and Delilah”, a biblical story about love, betrayal and two unlucky lovers caught in the middle of the Israelis’ fight against Philistine suppression, performed by famous Thai actors Krittin Kiatmetha and Patharawarin Timkul.

The whole event was only made possible by the generous support of Mr. Suttikorn Jearpaitoon, Managing Director of the Alangkarn Theater, who allowed the free use of the theatre and its facilities. The entire proceeds of the event went to the Pattaya Orphanage Education Fund. The fund will help finance school attendance and materials for the orphans, thus ensuring quality education and future perspectives for the children.

On behalf of the Pattaya Orphanage Human Help Network Foundation Thailand would like to say thank you to all the kind supporters who made this enormous success possible.

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The royal trio arrived at around 10 o’clock and was welcomed by the Director of the Pattaya Orphanage, Fr. Michael Weera Phangrak, as well as Mrs. Radchada Chomjinda, Director of Human Help Network Thailand Foundation and at least 60 of the children, waving Thai and Greek flags and showing much interest in the prominent visitors.

After each one of the Royals received a gift from the Orphanage, handed to them by the children, they kindly gave their signature as a symbol for their support and sympathy towards the Orphanage.

The three guests were shown the Babies’ and Toddlers’ Rooms as well as the Angel Andrea Motivation Room, in which they had great time, playing with the children, enjoying themselves in the middle of the action.

His Majesty King Constantine II had been visiting Pattaya for the international Round Square Conference, which had been taking place in Pattaya that same week under the motto “We walk together”. The conference hosted over 800 delegates, teachers and students, from international schools all over the world to meet, communicate and participate in local community projects, thus also helping at the CPDC (See article “Round Square Delegates help finish CPDC’s Mushroom Farm”).

It was a big honor for us to welcome His Majesty King Constantine II of Greece, Princess Anna Marie of Denmark and Princess Theodora of Greece here. Their affection and care were a blessing for the children, who in return can only offer their smiles and happy faces to show their gratitude.

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