The future is suddenly brighter for children in an orphanage that had long struggled for funding. From impoverished backgrounds with little parental direction, through turbulent histories and with little or no possessions, the more than 70 children at Baan Jing Jai in Pattaya had few prospects until the generosity of a Scandinavian company provided the funding that will go a long way towards securing their futures.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: Wallenius Wilhemlsen Logistics’s vice-president Trond Tonjum presents a cheque on behalf of his company to Baan Jing Jai orphanage.
Baan Jing Jai is one of many orphanages receiving no financial support from the government. The generosity of individuals in the community and donations from private companies provide a backbone of support. In November last year Wallenius Wilhemlsen Logistics (WWL), a Scandinavian shipping company, made a donation of five million baht. It was the final puzzle piece for the orphanage, the necessary gift to purchase land and build a more accommodating home for the children.
As you walk along the pebble-strewn road leading to Baan Jing Jai in the suburbs of Pattaya, the pastel, chalk-covered playground and two brightly coloured buildings immediately grab your attention. Children wearing white T-shirts run between the girls' and boys' buildings. The children are curious of visitors, smiling coyly and hiding behind their carers. Nestled in the arms of a volunteer carer is the youngest child, just three months old. The oldest is 18.
Wandering around the premises, it becomes clear there isn't enough space to accommodate them all. According to Baan Jing Jai committee member Steven Beard, up to 20 children sleep side by side on the floor.
Piangta Chumnoi _ fondly known to the community as "Mama" _ and a priest from the Church of Christ established the orphanage in 1992. It began as a drop-in centre for child victims of domestic violence and neglect. Since then, there have been several relocations to cater for the increase in numbers, and the residence has developed into a fully-fledged children's home with four permanent employees and volunteers working round the clock. In February 2011, the Ban Jing Jai Children's Home was officially recognised as a charitable foundation.
WWL's vice-president of corporate accounts Trond Tonjum is proud of the company's donation. "Corporate social responsibility is an important part of our company's way of doing business," says Mr Tonjum. "We have a strict and innovative environmental programme, and a code of conduct compliant with the UN Global Compact. It is heartwarming to represent so many employees that want to help children who need the basic things in life."
Around 40% of WWL employees contributed donations, sacrificing an individually decided amount of their monthly salary that the company matched. On Feb 3 this year, the money was officially presented at the "foundation stone" ceremony at the site of the new orphanage.
WWL evaluated several projects before deciding on Baan Jing Jai. After funding a school building in Cambodia last year, the company wanted to invest in a programme that allowed them to see the ongoing development of a community and identify positive impacts.
Mr Tonjum explains that employees often look for projects in different parts of the world they can contribute to. When they heard of a large contingent of Norwegians desperately raising funds for Baan Jing Jai, they decide the cause would make an ideal partnership.
"For us this will be a long-term commitment. First, we want to see the new building completely funded and finished," he says.
The Baan Jing Jai orphanage will make sure that each child has more space to live, work and learn. One of the company's goals is to foster their creative liberation through a newly established music room and playground _ not to mention plans to assist with future employment.
"We would also like to sponsor children for school and university education," says Mr Tonjum. "Maybe one day, also a job in our Bangkok or Laem Chabang offices and compounds."
While donations from WWL have mainly come from Scandinavian employees, many of its offices in Europe, Australia and Japan have also been keen to join the initiative. The company is just one thread in a tapestry of support, however. Donations have come from other charitable groups such as Jesters, which assists with a monthly food cost of around 30,000 baht, and the local Pattaya Sports Club, which pays the rent for the present building.
Before WWL's involvement, the Baan Jing Jai foundation had raised more than seven million baht. Mr Beard describes their struggle for donations as "a process that needs to be spiked by many small things". In the past, such small events have included a "Santa Scramble" golf competition. Mr Beard says he is impressed by foundations that are transparent about their needs. Since his involvement, he's found it endearing that Baan Jing Jai community members ask for items such as "cooking oil and rice" rather than a credit card.
To document the process of the Baan Jing Jai building and the progress of the foundation, committee members have assembled a website (www.baanjingjaifoundation.org) that outlines the foundation's aims and initiatives, and ways to get involved. It also features a comprehensive database that lists what each donation specifically supports. The six members of the Baan Jing Jai board, including Seamen's Church member Hans Konrad Nyvoll, gather once a month to ensure monthly maintenance costs are met.
The committee's passion for the cause is palpable. Mr Nyvoll explains that many of the children and volunteers had tears in their eyes when Mr Tonjum officially presented the donation along with an employee from Stockholm, Jessy Linde.
"Now we're going ahead and will actually start this year," says Mr Nyvoll.
Foreign architects have donated plans featuring a home with bedrooms, a nursery, first aid room, library, art room, music room, offices, a kitchen and maintenance areas. The site for the new property is set in lush and leafy surroundings. Travelling up winding roads peppered with traditional Thai houses, you can imagine the children enjoying the extra space. Large white fences have been installed around the premises, and construction is expected to commence around July this year.
Baan Jing Jai means "home with a heart", and with so many individuals working together to carve out a brighter future for the community, the children are loved by not only their "Mama Piangta" but by a rich support network that extends across international borders.