5537(I)_Salesians Helping the Flood Victims in the South of Thailand

Instilling Volunteerism Among the Young

By THA SC

Hatyai, Thailand, 19 December 2020 -- From the end of November to the first days of December 2020, a strong typhoon battered southern Thailand. This brought sudden flooding and disruption to 11 provinces. Even though the water level has come down, yet there is still much water around the area. The most devastated place was Nakornsrithammarat Province.

The Salesians, through their school - Saeng Thong Vitthaya, in Songkhla Province - mobilized the support from the Association of Past Pupils, The Parents-Teachers Association of the SME Section, the teachers and students - all together they contributed more than 2,000 food bags and some money to help the villagers of Amphoe Chawang [13 December 2020] and the local community of Bo Sap [16 December 2020]. The school also gave scholarships to Don Bosco Development Training Center in Amphoe Ronphiboon, through the Salesian confreres there, namely Fr Renzo Rossignolo and Fr Dominic Suphot Riewngam.

Aside from these, on 17 December 2020, a group of senior high-school students, under the leadership of Mr Khanisorn Kiratiphongwut, donated the amount of 49,400.--baht [$1,660.--] to the vice-Governor of Nakornsrithammarat Province. This amount came from the tutoring fees for Grade 4-6 done on-line through 'zoom', from 10-12 December 2020. Many students, even from other provinces, were interested to take the course. These registration fees were given completely to the schools and development centers for children in the five places that were badly affected by the typhoon in the Nakornsrithammrat Province.

The vice-Governor of Nakornsrithammarat Province was greatly impressed by the initiative of the students of Saeng Thong School, for their volunteerism and awareness for the good of the common needs, especially of their fellow students. He also praised the school for encouraging volunteerism, and driving this program deeply into the hearts of the students.

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