Bangkok--6 Mar--AIP Foundation
On March 4, 2013, the Rotary Club of Bangkok South , part of Rotary International (RI), donated motorcycle helmets to 175 students at two pre-school child development centers in the Rama IX Aeration Pond Community, or Bung Rama 9. With this donation, Rotary Club of Bangkok South launches their Helmets for Kids partnership with the Asia Injury Prevention (AIP) Foundation to increase helmet use and reduce road traffic injuries among child motorcycle passengers in Bangkok. Bung Rama 9 is a poor community in Bangkok that has received support from Rotary Club of Bangkok South for many years. AIP Foundation identified Rama 9 Child Development Center Pattana and Bung Rama 9 Child Development Center Bor 3 as crucial schools in the community to raise road safety awareness and promote helmet use as a simple safety precaution.
“Most of the children in Bung Rama 9 commute to and from school as passengers on motorcycles,” said Mr. Jon Plate, Rotary Club of Bangkok South Board Member and Service Projects Director. “However, as in much of Thailand, the helmet use rate is alarmingly low. Though they are young now, we recognize that these children are our future, and helmets are a simple, affordable, and proven way to protect their potential.”
Mrs. Ratanawadee Winther, AIP Foundation Country Director said “In Thailand, where more than 14,000 lives were lost to road traffic injuries in 2011, widespread helmet use could save countless lives.”
AIP Foundation
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www.aipf-thailand.org