Fr. Ray Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Father Ray Foundation is named after Father Raymond Brennan. The Foundation cares for more than 850 children without a family, street children, blind children and young disabled adults. The vision is "We Never Turn a Needy Child Away".
Father Ray grew concerned about the sudden boom in "war babies" and began to visit the US military in Thailand in the hope of finding ways and means of aid to care for the children. Father Ray held meetings with several officers in the army which resulted in representatives from the army and Father Ray himself visiting Bishop Thienchai Samanchit, the Bishop of the Chanthaburi Diocese at the bishop’s house, Si Racha. During these visits, Father Ray informed the bishop that the American veterans wanted to build a home for the children in Pattaya and present it to the Diocese, of which Father Ray Brennan would be the manager. Fully aware of the task ahead Bishop Thienchai Samanchit replied, “It is not difficult for you to build a home for orphans and then wash your hand and go home, while it is not known where the Diocese will get money from to feed those orphans”.
Construction of an orphanage began immediately and on October 24, 1978, the governor of Chonburi Province issued the Pattaya Orphanage establishment license. Official adoption was granted on March 27, 1981, when permission was received for the orphanage "to be a child welfare organization operating for the adoption of both Thai and foreign children." Through the years, Father Ray responded to the needs of children and young people in Pattaya. Since his passing in 2003, the Foundation has continued to care for children in Pattaya in his memory with the Father Ray Children's Village and the Father Ray Day Care Center.
The Father Ray Foundation helps children through six projects tailored to their needs.
Recently opened on September 6, 2008, aiming to provide assistance and care to those orphaned and less fortunated children aged from birth to 12 years old. Ensuring that they will grow up with good daily living under proper care of guardians with warmth and happiness like other normal families.
Established in 1984, with its primary purpose to offer vocational training courses for physical disabled people aged 17 – 35 years. To date the School has successfully graduated over 2,000 students who are now earning a living and contributing to Thai Society.
Established in 1986, the purpose of the school is to give an education at primary and secondary levels to those children who are blind or severely partially sighted. To date more than 400 students have graduated.
Established in 1990, the aim of the Home is to provide assistance to under-privileged children who lack proper care from their own families. In the Home, children shall have a normal daily living, access to an education, medical assistance and good quality meals. As in all programs where there is a family breakdown, it is the goal of the Foundation to re-unite the family and assist them to maintain their family life.
Opened in 2004, as a temporary shelter to help homeless kids who have broken from their family for whatever reason are not living in families by providing 4 basic human needs, psychological rehabilitation, and counseling aspects leading to better quality of life.
Latest project recently opened on September 11, 2008, providing caring services for small children aged 2 – 5 years old whom are from poor families living in risk environmental areas. By giving caring assistance during the day while their parents need to leave them home for work to earn livings.
Sponsors from the USA contact The Father Ray Sponsor a Child Foundation
Sponsors from the UK contact the Thai Children's Trust
.
For all other countries, visit Father Ray Foundation.
part of the Father Ray Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has welcomed volunteers from more than thirty countries worldwide. Many are young who take a break from their college studies, or who are between jobs. At the same time one volunteer was a grandmother from Canada who was well into her 80s when she arrived. The majority of volunteers teach English but volunteers share all of their skills from fundraising to art workshops.
History
Father Raymond Brennan was a Redemptorist priest born in the USA who in 1972 was requested to assist at the local church, St. Nikolaus church, Pattaya. One day a young Thai lady approached Fr. Ray and asked if he could take care of her baby as she had married (not to the father of the baby) and the husband wanted nothing to do with the child. The baby was taken in and as the word got around about Fr. Ray's genorisity and caring more young children were brought to him and that was the beginning. Most of the children presented to Father Ray were the offspring of Thai women and US servicemen who were stationed at the US military base at Sattahip during the Vietnam war.Father Ray grew concerned about the sudden boom in "war babies" and began to visit the US military in Thailand in the hope of finding ways and means of aid to care for the children. Father Ray held meetings with several officers in the army which resulted in representatives from the army and Father Ray himself visiting Bishop Thienchai Samanchit, the Bishop of the Chanthaburi Diocese at the bishop’s house, Si Racha. During these visits, Father Ray informed the bishop that the American veterans wanted to build a home for the children in Pattaya and present it to the Diocese, of which Father Ray Brennan would be the manager. Fully aware of the task ahead Bishop Thienchai Samanchit replied, “It is not difficult for you to build a home for orphans and then wash your hand and go home, while it is not known where the Diocese will get money from to feed those orphans”.
Construction of an orphanage began immediately and on October 24, 1978, the governor of Chonburi Province issued the Pattaya Orphanage establishment license. Official adoption was granted on March 27, 1981, when permission was received for the orphanage "to be a child welfare organization operating for the adoption of both Thai and foreign children." Through the years, Father Ray responded to the needs of children and young people in Pattaya. Since his passing in 2003, the Foundation has continued to care for children in Pattaya in his memory with the Father Ray Children's Village and the Father Ray Day Care Center.
The Father Ray Foundation helps children through six projects tailored to their needs.
Projects
- The Father Ray Children’s Village
Recently opened on September 6, 2008, aiming to provide assistance and care to those orphaned and less fortunated children aged from birth to 12 years old. Ensuring that they will grow up with good daily living under proper care of guardians with warmth and happiness like other normal families.
- The Father Ray Vocational School for People with Disabilities
Established in 1984, with its primary purpose to offer vocational training courses for physical disabled people aged 17 – 35 years. To date the School has successfully graduated over 2,000 students who are now earning a living and contributing to Thai Society.
- The Father Ray School for the Blind Under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Established in 1986, the purpose of the school is to give an education at primary and secondary levels to those children who are blind or severely partially sighted. To date more than 400 students have graduated.
- The Father Ray Children’s Home
Established in 1990, the aim of the Home is to provide assistance to under-privileged children who lack proper care from their own families. In the Home, children shall have a normal daily living, access to an education, medical assistance and good quality meals. As in all programs where there is a family breakdown, it is the goal of the Foundation to re-unite the family and assist them to maintain their family life.
- The Father Ray Outreach Work and Drop-In Center
Opened in 2004, as a temporary shelter to help homeless kids who have broken from their family for whatever reason are not living in families by providing 4 basic human needs, psychological rehabilitation, and counseling aspects leading to better quality of life.
- The Father Ray Day Care Center
Latest project recently opened on September 11, 2008, providing caring services for small children aged 2 – 5 years old whom are from poor families living in risk environmental areas. By giving caring assistance during the day while their parents need to leave them home for work to earn livings.
Sponsor A Child With the Father Ray Foundation
The Foundation offers people the chance to sponsor a child in Thailand. In return, the sponsor receives a picture, short history, a letter and birthday card if they are old enough. The Foundation has many sponsors who have sponsored children from when they are infants to their graduation from university.Sponsors from the USA contact The Father Ray Sponsor a Child Foundation
Father Ray's Sponsor a Child Foundation
Father Ray's Sponsor a Child Foundation is a not for profit 501 registered United States charity which focus on assisting needy children throughout the world.-History:...
Sponsors from the UK contact the Thai Children's Trust
Thai Children's Trust
The Thai Children’s Trust, formerly Pattaya Orphanage Trust, is a registered UK charity which supports vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Thailand...
.
For all other countries, visit Father Ray Foundation.
Volunteer at the Father Ray Foundation
International and Thai Volunteers are welcome at the Father Ray Foundation. Volunteer helpers have always been an invaluablepart of the Father Ray Foundation. Since its inception, the Foundation has welcomed volunteers from more than thirty countries worldwide. Many are young who take a break from their college studies, or who are between jobs. At the same time one volunteer was a grandmother from Canada who was well into her 80s when she arrived. The majority of volunteers teach English but volunteers share all of their skills from fundraising to art workshops.
Visit the Father Ray Foundation
Visitor are welcome at the Father Ray Foundation in Pattaya. Their address is:- Father Ray Foundation
- Moo 9, Sukumvit Road, Km 145,
- Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi, Thailand 20260
- Tel: +66 38428717, +6638716628 Fax: +6638716629
- Email: info@fr-ray.org
Funders and Supporters
The Fr Ray Foundatibon is a Thai Foundation. It receives support from many other international organizations, companies, individuals and groups. Among them are:- Rotary InternationalRotary InternationalRotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
- The Thai Children's TrustThai Children's TrustThe Thai Children’s Trust, formerly Pattaya Orphanage Trust, is a registered UK charity which supports vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Thailand...
- UK and Ireland - The Father Ray Sponsor a Child Foundation wikipediaFather Ray's Sponsor a Child FoundationFather Ray's Sponsor a Child Foundation is a not for profit 501 registered United States charity which focus on assisting needy children throughout the world.-History:...
| website - USA - The Association Les Amis de l'Orphelinat de Pattaya - France
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