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A family like no other For one charity organization that works with disabled youngsters, it's not unusual for famous luk thung singers to show up for an impromptu show - and maybe serve up some lunch, too. Published on Jun 7, 2002 For one charity organisation that works with disabled youngsters, it's not unusual for famous luk thung singers to show up for an impromptu show - and maybe serve up some lunch, too. One day at Pakkred Home, a pet charity project of Crowne Plaza, the hotel sponsors a lunch for the kids who live there. I have asked to tag along, primarily to spend a day with a charity group known as The Family, which the hotel has called in to provide entertainment.
So I jumped at the opportunity to join a charity trip by the Crowne Plaza group, led by general manager Michael Turner, to see how The Family works. It is roughly 11am when we arrive in Nonthaburi, where the Pakkred Home for Children with Disabilities is located. The children are already seated in the hall looking eager to welcome the day's benefactors (not to mention the promise of entertainment by popular luk thung singers Jonas Anderson and Christy Gibson, who are both unabashed members of The Family). Pakkred Home, a residence for some 428 handicapped children aged five to 18, is the favourite charity of The Family, which conducts charity projects on its own and at other times in tandem with institutions such as Crowne Plaza. "It's very exciting to be here again with these kids," says Gibson, who's been with The Family since she was a young girl and whose passion for charity work - like that of Anderson - is common knowledge. "Making other people happy makes me happy, too," she says.
Group spokesperson Angela Ruiz tells us later that The Family uses a "wide-based approach" in its charity work. With its staff of mainly charity-minded farangs from different countries, The Family supports and undertakes a variety of charity projects in the Kingdom, from an anti-narcotics campaign in schools to donations of money, time and talent at handicapped institutions and hospitals. "We go anywhere we can be of help, depending on the resources we have," says Ruiz, adding that The Family has been in Thailand for more than 20 years now. "Today, there are already 200 of us and we have a few centres in Bangkok as well as in the North and in the South," she adds. Not bad for an institution that relies chiefly on private individual support rather than overseas funds. Ruiz, a Philippine national, has been with The Family for 10 years. The group is involved in many different charity projects, although some members say working with children such as these wards of Pakkred Home is one of the most rewarding. Offers Gibson: "Kids are the most fun to work with. They're so pure and they are always happy. They enjoy themselves and they really get involved. They respond to little things you do." Kids enjoy the programme prepared by The Family and are only too happy to be part of the show. One of the most memorable moments occurred when four disabled boys in wheelchairs joined Anderson onstage for an impromptu dance. While not all members of The Family perform, everyone is doing their bit to entertain them. While Anderson and Gibson take the lead with their musical numbers, Ruiz mingles, and often can be caught dancing with the youngsters. Susan Andreas, a mother of three from Denmark, is on the sidelines assisting young performers to make sure they're ready for their cue in the entertainment programme. Two male members try to capture the moments with their still and video cameras. Another, dressed like a clown, prompts a guffaw from one kid. Still another mans the technician corner. Others, like Australian David Oliver, are visibly co-ordinating the proceedings. Everybody is doing something. "We're like an old-fashioned family where you have the aunt and uncle, grandparents, big sister and the little kids, living together, helping each other, supporting one another," Ruiz says. "We believe very much in the family as an important building block of society. I guess that's why we're called The Family." And The Family that works together stays together, as the old saying goes. Members are so happy to be in The Family in Thailand that many of them choose to stay and serve it all their lives. Ruiz began as a part-time volunteer but has since become a full-time staff member. Oliver first met The Family in 1977 and has been with it now for 25 years; likewise for Andreas and many of the present staff Thai Magazine Coverage We conducted two interviews at our home with magazines, "TV Pool" and "Papayon Bunteung" about our work and activities in Thailand. These magazines have a combined readership of 100,000.
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This
group has always intrigued me. As an expat whose Bangkok existence revolves
around the basic "work/pub/occasionally condo" grind, I have
always admired - even envied - people who are able to have an impact on
other people's lives with their charity. 
"Coming
here makes me feel thankful for my blessings," adds Anderson, who
virtually inherited The Family legacy from his parents.
