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Those of us who were fortunate enough to be born happy on this planet should never forget that many others were not as lucky...
Thailand has brought a lot of happiness into my life and I will forever be grateful to the country and its people for the gift they gave me.
Connections between Thailand and my family date back over a century, when Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns, an ancestor of my grandmothers’ family, came to Siam. He became the General Advisor of H.M. King Chulalongkorn, and received the title of Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij by royal appointment.
Gustave Rolin is still regarded as a great ancestor today and as a man who gave everything he could to his adoptive country.
While the work and achievements of Gustave Rolin in Siam have been exceptional, his personality has certainly been an important inspiration to me and in many of our projects.
Since several years, together with my fellow Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Maechan, as well as numerous close friends, I decided to devote much of my time to others and to help them reach a brighter future.
We have been active in creating charity projects in the north of Thailand since several years from our base: Insii Thai House.
There are common denominators in all of the projects which have been initiated to date: Education, art, exchange of culture, innovation and revenue creation for the poorest children.
Successes include the Sindoi Hill Tribe Ceramic Project, the Hill Tribe Violin Band, the Hill Tribe Magic Troupe or the Celebration concert.
Several disadvantaged students are fully supported in their studies until they will finish university. Others have the opportunity to go to study further in Europe.While all these achievements rest on the support and hard work of today’s partners, the spirit and values of Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij can certainly be felt in all of these activities: Loyalty, honesty, hard work and respect of the Thai culture.
But if Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij came to Thailand over a century ago, it is because of King RamaV, a visionary monarch who wanted to improve his country and the well being of its citizens. King RamaV pioneered what has become common practice today: Exchange of skills between foreign countries and Siam, reach far away knowledge and use it locally to the benefit of the Siamese people.
Over a century later, in a world that is increasingly difficult for the younger generations, the Chao Phya Abhai Raja Siammanukulkij Foundation follows the vision of King Rama V and the spirit of Gustave Rolin to improve the lives of the Thai youngsters.
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Somjai Sasomsarp
Executive Director
Gov Public Relations
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The foundation and all its partners have one aim: Make the dreams of the disadvantaged students come true.
Count Gerald van der Straten Ponthoz |
Patrick Rolin
Rolin Family Association
| Rolin Family Representative |
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