Bangkok--6 Oct--Krungthai Card KTC celebrated the first step of success of “Weaving Dreams, Sharing Love with Thanyaporn Reception Home for Girls” project. It has collaborated with Raks Thai Foundation to push forward the basic vocational training which aims to bridge the social gap by creating employment opportunity for the girls so that they become self-reliant in the long run. This project is the extension of the one last year which aimed to improve their quality of life, to further develop them physically, mentally, emotionally and intellectually and to improve the shelter landscape. Mr. Niwatt Chittalarn, President & Chief Executive Officer, “KTC” or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, said “This activity ‘Our Home, Baan Thanyaporn’ is the celebration of the first step of success of ‘Weaving Dreams, Sharing Love with Thanyaporn Reception Home for Girls’ that was initiated in 2007. The goal is to offer immediate assistance and to improve the quality of life of abused and troubled girls. KTC has approved a budget of 7.5 million Baht and delegated Raks Thai Foundation to run and organize activities that help the girls to regain their well being, state of mind and happily return to the society. We have commissioned the repair of the buildings, interior and exterior of Baan Thanyaporn compound which is 80% completed. We also organize continuous activities both inside and outside Baan Thanyaporn to enhance and develop emotional and mental maturity of the children and provide edutainment which facilitates their mental rehabilitation and reduces their tension down to a satisfactory level.” “For the policy of “Weaving Dreams, Sharing Love with Thanyaporn Reception Home for Girls” project in 2009, we will focus on the potential development of these girls. From our acquaintance and association with the girls in Baan Thanyaporn last year, we found that most of them have potential and special skills but lack opportunity and support. Therefore, we would like to continuously provide basic vocational training for them so that they may discover, appreciate themselves, lead their own lives and earn their living. In this manner, we can produce quality citizens with vocational skills and return them to the society. Furthermore, we will complete our ongoing tasks, which are, the improvement of scenery around the shelter and the increment of daily facilities so that the girls of Baan Thanyaporn will be relieved from their memory of being abused and live happily in this new home.” Mr. Promboon Panichpakdi, Executive Director, Raks Thai Foundation, said “Throughout last year Thanyaporn Reception Home for Girls has been changed in many aspects following the plan jointly laid down by Raks Thai Foundation and KTC. We have arranged various types of activities, both recreational and educational aspects, which are not too demanding. We focus on building the confidence that enables the girls to live happily with one another and also teach them to be generous and reach out to people. Moreover, we teach them sex education and organize agricultural activity to engage them in the improvement of the landscape of the shelter and to process the products for the greatest value.” “The association with the children in a variety of activities enables us to see their range of talents and abilities including drawing, nail painting, singing, and music performing. And this is the beginning of the goal to return equality to the underprivileged children. The emphasis of activities in 2009 will be placed on basic occupational development. The special training programs will be taught by specialists in the fields, such as, nail painting, nail cutting, hair dressing, cooking, and will include self-development skills, such as, singing, music performing, drawing and handicraft. The distribution channel of products will also be provided. In addition, we will support the budget for 1 additional psychologist and 3 additional social administrators to provide sufficient care for over 100 girls. We anticipate that these activities will promote the potential development of the children and their pleasant return to the common population with a sense of equality.” Thanyaporn Reception Home for Girls, Department of Social Development and Welfare, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security cares for girls aged 5 to 18 who are mentally and/on physically harmed and need urgent protection as they have been abused or threatened to perform unlawful action or activities presenting danger to their life by people in the society and those close to them. Their problems have made them mentally vulnerable. Due to their lack of experience, many girls chose the wrong solutions that lead them to mistakes such as drugs and premature sexual relationships. To them, Baan Thanyaporn resembles “a family”. It is a shelter and a source of love and social equality to approximately 100 girls. For more information: Public and Corporate Affairs Department Krungthai Card Public Company Limited Kandtharat Chermchitphong Tel.0-2828-5057 Suchada Weerasakulrak Tel.0-2828-5732 Wikarnda Mutitanont Tel.0-2828-5402 Fax.0-2828-5046 Email: [email protected]