Phuket charity fund opens second toy library
Don't you wish you were young again? PCF President Pranee Sakulpipatana and Phuket Vice Governor Tree Akaradecha help local kids to check out the toys.
The Phuket Community Foundation recently brought a gleam to the eyes of the hundreds of children living in the Mai Khao area when it opened its second toy library at Hongyok Bamrung School, in the north of the island.
A spokesman explained, “Although the Phuket Community Foundation is, strictly speaking, a grant-making organisation – its role is to support charitable work in much the same way that banks support commerce – we felt it was important to carry out projects of our own to demonstrate how different parts of the community can come together to do something worthwhile in society – something that is not already being done.
“The toy libraries are one such project. Toys are important to the development of children. They stimulate imagination, help to develop logic and, in a group situation, help children to develop social skills.
“In Phuket, however, there are many families whose income is so low that they can’t afford toys.”
The PCF was inspired by the success in Australia of toy libraries that lend toys to children, in the same way that conventional libraries lend out books.
“We have already set up one library in Wichit and now the second, in Mai Khao. A third will open at Wat Muang Mai School in a month or so.”
The libraries also showcase the PCF’s ability to bring people together, he explained. For example, at the Hongyok Bamrung School, the room was repainted using paint donated by Bamrung Sampaorat, Chairman of the Islamic Committee of Phuket. Helping with the painting were sailors and marines from the US Navy.
2,100 English-language books were donated by Dr Ong Tat Lien of Penang.
Funds to buy the toys, books, furniture and additional paint were donated by Niklaus Siegrist and the Phuket Direct Fund Association of Zurich, and additional toys are coming from private donors, including 60 primary students of the British International School. The library will be run by the school itself.
The PCF is currently compiling a database of people who want to contribute to Phuket in one of four main ways:
- By coming up with projects that improve Phuket – and managing them;
- By offering expert advice free of charge;
- By becoming voluntary workers; or
- By donating or raising funds.
“The structure of the PCF is such that we can fill gaps and address needs that are not now covered by government, local authorities or existing charities, all of whom we are happy to support or work with.”
The PCF can also advise companies on ways to get involved in corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects.
Anyone wishing to become involved can send email to talk-to-us@phuketcharity.org or through the website.
