M.ED. Class 3 Makes An Outing ...For a Cause!

Fr. Ray Brennan (standing 4th from left) in a commemorative photo with M.Ed. Class 3 students in front of the Pattaya Orphanage. M.Ed. Class 3 students entertaining the children at the Pattaya Orphanage during their visit on January 20, 2002 Kids of the Pattaya Orphanage enjoying the games and the presence of caring visitors comprised of M.Ed. Class 3 students of Faculty of Education.

"I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes; naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me."

Matthew 25:35-36

The verses from the Bible teach human beings to be caring and loving to others, especially to the less fortunate ones and to the rest of mankind who are somehow deprived of even the most basic necessities in life or victims of unfortunate circumstances. How lucky indeed are those people who have a roof over their heads, eat three or more meals a day, and have the means to buy all the comforts of life!

Assumption University, in its conviction that social work is one of the worthy attributes of good and educated citizens, teaches its students not only to pursue academic excellence and acquire the know-how of the latest trends in technology, but also enjoins them to be useful members of society.

M.Ed., Class 3, Faculty of Education, with enthusiastic support from Assoc. Prof. Dr. Methi Pilanthananond, our Dean, and his Assistant, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kittima Preedeedilok, visited the Pattaya Orphanage on 20 January 2002 to show goodwill and concern towards the Thai society especially for the less fortunate ones.

Fr. Ray Brennan, a Redemptorist priest, founded Pattaya Orphanage in 1970 after an infant was left under his care. Shortly thereafter another infant was brought in and yet another until the roster stands today at two hundred children who are being looked after, fed and educated.

Inexplicable feelings over-whelmed the Class members when they were greeted by innocent faces and voices. How happy the kids were to see others caring for them. Some of the kids ran to our arms; some calling us "mom" or "dad'; some didn't even let loose our hands. There were smiles on our faces and compassion in our hearts for these innocent souls.

Soon the kids were exuberant, not merely for the goodies and merriment, but simply for the feelings that they were not so alone. Our Class attended on the kids during their lunch. It may be a very simple lunch, but for those kids, that meal was all the more delicious because they felt people cared for them, whilst the infants were just contented being cuddled by some of us. A tender pat, a hug and carrying them can lift up their spirit.

M.Ed. Class 3 felt the impact of the visit. Each one was touched at the sight of those infants and kids yearning for love and care. It was a beautiful and heavenly experience to be able to help the needy. For anyone who has more than enough, sharing is a blessing. Yet, even if one has just a little and still shares, it is truly a meritorious deed.

The visit ended with a valuable talk from Fr. Brennan. Our Class representative presented The Orphanage, a cashier's check and donated clothes, milk, foodstuff and toys. Others expressed their wish to go back on their own to see the kids and that sense of spontaneous compassion is the most beautiful outcome of the visit!

Reported by: Mingkwan M
Kudos to organisers and expeditionists.
Ed.