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Fundraising

As you are all aware, the s u c c e s s o f o u r o r g a n i z a t i o n a n d subsequently that of the school is in its ability to raise monies on a regular basis to cover both the day to day running costs, currently around some 80,000 baht per month and that of the impending construction costs etc relating to the proposed building of the new purpose designed school. We are now pleased to inform you that the day to day expenses are now being met and the school build project has around a 300,000 baht credit balance.

Many of you have kindly supported some of our more recent events, such as the Treasure Hunt and the Golf day, the latter being held thanks to The Royal Samui Golf and Country Club in Lamai. This was in fact so successful that players have asked us to organize another event for February next, so look out for further information in the Samui Times online or in our next Newsletter. Much effort has been provided by numerous photographers and other individuals, in particular, Siam Map, whose staff donated their time and expertise in putting together the artwork etc to produce the most fantastic calendar for 2014.

T h i s d e p ic t s a collection of superb photographs of the children and their artwork, providing you with a happy reminder throughout the year of where your support and generosity goes to. See further in this issue how and where to purchase your copy. You will note on some occasions the odd c o l l e c t i o n bo t t l e standing on the bar counter where some enterprising landlords are encouraging raffles and asking their locals to donate their spare change. So when next in for a beer please let them know of the good work they’re doing.

SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOL SAMUI

Newsletter

A mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1)Article 23.1

From the Children, staff and friends of The Special Needs School Samui, we extend Christmas Greetings and best wishes for the New

Year to you all. Many thanks for your invaluable and continued support.

Volume 1 Issue 3 December 2013

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2014 Desktop Calendars

These superb quality 2014 Desktop calendars featuring the kids and their artwork are

now available price 250 baht from the following locations:

Silavadee Pool Spa Resort in Lamai

Chaweng Buri Resort

M + M’s Bar and Premier Bar in Bangrak

Ibis in Bophut

Sunshine Samui Pools near Big C supermarket

Corner Bar in Maenam

Alternatively call David on 0807190305 to make convenient arrangements to collect.

Computer donated by Samui Hire in Nathon

Mark Quinn of Samui Car and motorbike hire recently donated a new

desktop computer and monitor to the school.

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Bar Ice back to the 70’s night

Saturday 9th November saw a nostalgic return to the 70’s at Bar Ice, Chaweng.

Co-owners Steve, Oli and Scott once again showed their magnificent support for the school by once again donating the profits from the event to the school amounting to around 16,000 baht.

Bar owners Steve, Oli and Scott enjoying the evening

along with the “daughters of naughtiness”

School Construction Project—Draft plans submitted

Draft plans have recently been submitted to the school in three different formats from a basic design which would cover minimal requirements and afford approximately 200sq ft.

Further designs would incorporate addition facilities to include additional classrooms, Sensory room and sleeping ac-commodation for resident and visiting teaching staff etc and vary up to 500 sq ft.

The successful outcome as to which of these designs can be constructed will, quite naturally, be entirely dependent on the capital sums available The minimum cost is estimated to be around 2- 3 million baht.

What can actually be constructed and in what time frame within the price will also be very much reliant on the sponsor-ship which can be obtained such as local building supplies companies and construction companies here on the island. These may be in the form of materials at cost price (or even free!) some may also be willing to supply free labour.

In addition there are some voluntary organizations and individuals who would be prepared to join in.

Whilst we as a group endeavour to raise as much funding as possible, it is sadly a fact that we and our supporters will have great difficulty in raising such an amount in a realistic time.

On the initiative of Robert Mayer, G.M. of Mantra Samui Boutique Resort, steps are being taken to involve major hotels and companies here on Samui to co-ordinate some major fundraising activities in the New Year and who knows, perhaps there is a philanthropist out there who can help us change these children’s live sooner!

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Seven cars with twenty-five people on board left Nathon on Sunday 28th October for the first of what is hoped will become our Annual Treasure Hunt.

The competitors followed a route down the west coast through Lipa Noi and south of the island towards Hua Thanon before returning North and looking for answers to clues and seeking treasure along the route.

The pre-planned route was designed to take approximately two and a half hours, without the need for racing and although the winning team took rather longer than that (rumour has it that was because they took an unscheduled and relaxing coffee break along the way) nevertheless they completed the hunt with the most correct answers and collected all the treasure.

Other teams took rather less time, but were unable to solve all the clues which were cunningly designed to confuse by arch hunt setter David Wilkinson.

The winning team aka ‘The Lost Souls’ comprising Brian Goddard, Philip Parker and Barbara Castek took home First Prize of a dinner for four generously donated by Silavadee Pool Spa Resort in Lamai.

On returning to Nathon, all contestants and organisers were treated to a magnificent Pork Roast dinner

generously donated by Paul Watson at his newly opened Max Murphys Bar and Restaurant.

The total raised on the day was a magnificent 17,500 baht which is to go in to the new School Building Fund.

Car Treasure hunt

A Special Thank you On behalf of the School and the Friends of the Special Needs School Committee may we extend Seasonal best wishes and thanks to Ivan and his staff at the Ibis Samui Hotel in Bophut for providing a complimentary meeting room and refreshment facilities for us over the past year.

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Saturday 9th November saw what is hoped will be a regular Golf Tournament to raise money for the school building fund.

30 competitors took part in the tournament and a winner was arrived at using a scoring system based on a scaled down version of the Calloway 36 System of scoring.

A number of generously donated prizes were up for grabs with five alternative ways to win. These were, best net score, nearest the pin (2), longest drive, hole in one and a booby prize.

Nigel of Barbecue and Samui Catering fame not only offered his services free, but also arranged for Makro (who donated the chicken), Siam Food (the turkey) and Rovere Yann from the French Bakery and Butchery to donate food for the barbecue.

Many thanks also to the Prize sponsors, Max Murphy’s in Nathon and the Airport for free lunches for two, Santiburi Golf Club for four vouchers worth 5,000 each, and of course the Royal Samui Golf and Country Club for not only substantially their reducing green fees for the event but also providing prizes of baseball caps, polo shirts and towels.

Many thanks also to the organiser of the event Philip Parker, himself an avid golfer but unable to win anything today.

We are pleased to announce a total of 33,200 baht was raised for the school building fund.

Golf Tournament at the Royal Samui Golf and Country Club

Lee O’Neill, almost sweeping the board today winning overall First Prize (Santiburi Vouchers) longest drive

(Sunday lunch for 2 at Max Murphy’s, Nathon) and closest the pin hole 3 (Baseball cap), being presented by David Wilkinson Chairman of the Friends of SNSS

Nic Clark receiving the booby prize of an RSGCC towel with Golf Course General Manager Thitipong Chalamat

on the left.

Pete Davis ( nearest pin hole 9) receiving baseball cap and Santiburi voucher worth 4,000 baht from David.

Nigel ably assisted by his young helper serving the barbecue and turkey sandwiches.

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Anantara Lawana’s donation of gifts and cash to the school

Lars Kerfin, General Manager of Anantara La-wana presenting cash and the washing ma-chine to Khun Dalin after a lunch and an en-

tertainment offered to the children

Later in the year a donation of four bags of linen, bed sheets and towels from the Hotel

and cash of THB 1,750 from Hotel guests were presented to the school by Prachana Unakul,

Director of Human Resources.

Donation from Conrad

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Meet the Staff

Somphon Sanguanphan Volunteer

Onuma Bunluesingha Cook Loui Mavlenso Nanny

Mattharee Bunluesingha Secretary

Atthawit Sawangsri Volunteer

Dalin Ruangaisoon Chairman

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How can I help?

Apart from a small monthly contribution from the Tessabaan, which barely covers the cost of current premises rental, the Special Needs School in Samui relies heavily on voluntary donations from commercial enterprises on the island such as the large Resort groups.

Whilst these donations are not only essential and greatly appreciated, there is still a large shortfall in the amount of money required to fund the school’s expenses.

A regular contribution by way of a direct debit or even a one-off payment from you would be graciously acknowledged and accepted.

There are two streams of funding available.

The first is to assist in funding the day to day activities, buying school books, teachers salaries, lunches etc.

The second is to invest in a building fund which, in time, will attract sufficient funds to enable us to con-struct a purpose built school for the children.

Additionally you could arrange your own unique fund raising event locally, perhaps amongst local clubs, bars, friends etc. Old favourites such as Car Boot sales, Raffles, Guessing the weight of a cake etc.

As mentioned elsewhere in this Newsletter, Mr Khun Ngoen Wichaidist former Headman and Mayor (Pu Yai Baan) of Bangrak has generously donated one rai of land on which it is proposed a new school will be built.

School Expenses Daily Running Account Krungthai Bank Public Co. Ltd,

Lamai Branch Account No: 756-0-041523 Account Name: Samui Learning Centre for Special Needs Joint account holders: Mrs. Dalin Ruangaisoon Mrs. Sannit Virryanong Mr. Phairat Chanchaem

School Building Fund Account

Bangkok Bank -Koh Samui

Account No: 541-0-34040-9 Account Name: Autistic Thai Foundation Suratthani Branch Joint account holders: Mrs. Dalin Ruangaisoon Mts. Sannit Virriyanong Mrs. Parinda Chunarong.

Due to the Thai banking system, we are unable to identify individual donations, therefore, would anyone requiring a receipt, kindly send a

scanned copy of the paying in slip to – pipparker274@gmail.com (Treasurer) along with your email address. Thank you.

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Samui Learning Centre for Special Needs Children

9/192 Moo 4, Bangrak Bophut,

Koh Samui, Suratthani, Thailand.

Phone No. 081-170-8290

It was at this stage Dalin decided to tackle the problem directly and was inspired to establish her own school for children with special needs like her own.

Early in 2009 Dalin met local teachers Emma and Pirat of the Samui Learning Center in Lamai, they subsequently introduced her to Mr. Choosak Chantayanon Chairman of the Autistic Thai Foundation of Thailand.

On the 4th of June 2009 they all met up with the head of the Koh Sai Municipality, in the presence of parents, themselves having children with special needs and also with doctors and medical staff from the Samui Hospital with the objective of creating a solution to assist disabled children living on the island.

Mrs. Dalin Ruangaisoon who was born here on the island of Koh Samui has a family of three children, two of whom were diag-nosed with slow learning disorder and Au-tism.

Difficulties arose when trying to enter the children into the conventional education system and her applications were so often refused.

However she nevertheless tried her best to ensure they received the care and sup-port necessary for their development and to prevent further regression.

Her initial approach took her to Saranrom Hospital (Suratthani) and later as far afield as Bangkok, not itself an easy task with disabled children but with no major success.

As a direct result Dalin was supported to start up her own special needs class within The Samui Learning Center in Lamai. This entity served the community until the class grew to a point where there was the need to move to their own premises, thanks to “The Rainbow Room” community in Bangkok a fund raising event was held resulting in (B160.000) being donated along with support from local sources, enabling Dalin and the children to move into their own building.

In June 2012 The school was official certificated as a branch of “The Thai Autistic Foundation” – Surat Thani branch, giving the school charitable status.

The school is now to be found at The Mayaburi Resort off the “ghost road” in Bangrak.

Contents © Peter Breaks and Friends of Special Needs School Samui 2013

History of the School

Committee Members Chairman: David Wilkinson Email: chairman@specialneedsschoolsamui.com

Secretary: Peter Breaks Email: secretary@specialneedsschoolsamui.com

Treasurer: Philip Parker

Special Projects: Yvonne Roberts

Public Relations: Su Buchanan

Committee: Khun Matt Bunluesingha

Khun Dahlin Ruangaisoon

Connor O’Leary

Claudia Wilkinson

Jeffrey Martin

Lisa Taylor Hawkins

Friends of Special Needs School, Samui

We’re on the web:

www.specialneedsschoolsamui.com