Samut Sakhon Provincial Learning Center for Children and Youth Words and photos by Rodney James Charman

We were invited to visit the Samut Sakhon Provincial Learning Center for Children and Youth for the official presentation of sports equipment and classroom furniture donated by the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard. The school was selected as the chosen charity of our President, Jeff Mitchell MBE, who celebrated his 65th birthday in February of this year by hosting a charity fundraising event at the Siam Bayshore Resort. Tom Canning, one of the UK’s leading Tom Jones and Neil Diamond tribute artists, travelled from the UK especially to entertain at the event which raised 100,000 THB, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting the school’s needs. These included  chairs and desks for 40 kindergarten children, 40 double-sized tables for 2nd to 6th Grade students plus sports equipment for approximately 400 students. 

In attendance from RCES were President Jeff Mitchell MBE, PP/PADG Rodney James Charman, SAA Daniel Ashley-Claydon, SEC Wayne Timbury, Pamela Timbury, Saman Duangkae, Ratha Techa-Apichoke, Suree Phasuk, and Joy Keolaphoumy.They received a warm welcome from the school’s representatives, who gave a presentation on how the new sports equipment would benefit the students. The children also delighted everyone with cultural performances, including traditional Mon dances.

Following refreshments, members visited the classrooms where they met the teachers and students. It was an inspiring and rewarding day for everyone involved. The success of this project was made possible through the outstanding teamwork of the Rotary Club Eastern Seaboard, together with the generosity of our supporters and sponsors, whose contributions have made a lasting difference to the lives of the school’s children.