HMCS Ottawa crew visits the Father Ray Foundation

Master Seaman Veronica Leslie interacts with a preschool class during a trip to the Father Ray Foundation. Photo by Leading Seaman Victoria Ioganov, MARPAC Imaging Services

Leading Seaman Alix Bovair, HMCS Ottawa ~

While alongside Pattaya, Thailand, on Sept. 14, during Operation Projection, a group of sailors from HMCS Ottawa made a few new friends at a local charity.

They spent the day at the Father Ray Foundation, a local non-profit organization that works to help over 850 children and adolescents in Thailand. They provide food, clothing, education, and most importantly a sense of family to those who may not have otherwise received it.

With the foundation’s motto being “We never turn a needy child away”, Ottawa’s crew wanted to do anything they could to help the Father Ray Foundation. They began by providing a cheque from Boomer’s Legacy for $10,000, which will ultimately go towards the purchase of new uniforms for the children.

For children originating from all sorts of impoverished areas and unfortunate circumstances, and for those who do not have a safe place to call home, The Father Ray Children’s Home is a sanctuary.

Ottawa’s crew was moved by the joy of the children at the Day Care Centre. They enjoyed lots of running, singing, dancing, and laughs with the energetic three and four year olds. Crew and youngsters took a whirlwind trip to a local fish pond, with music and dancing afterward; the energy of the toddlers was inescapable and contagious. Crew members couldn’t help but leave with smiles.

The crew then moved to the vocational school for people with disabilities.

The foundation works directly with young adults with disabilities to assist them in obtaining skills and education in computer and business programs.

The Father Ray Foundation has aided in the convalescence of many who’ve gone on to graduate from university, work in their local community, and even medalled at the Paralympics. Over the years, they have helped hundreds of children and young adults go on to be fully contributing members of Thai society, despite their upbringing or disability.

At the school the sailors helped students practice speaking English, and after fun conversations and inquisitive questions from both the crew and students, they played a game of wheelchair basketball. Ottawa’s crew was out of their element trying their best to keep up with the talented students. Breathless and laughing, both teams were exhausted from the challenging game.

After a well-earned lunch, the crew travelled to The Father Ray School for Children with Special Needs. Energetic games of soccer and basketball were played, as well as a fast paced game of musical chairs, where the losers were covered in baby powder. As always, music was played, and dancing ensued.

Half the crew members took time in the heat of the day to fix some play structures at one of the playgrounds. This included assembling a submarine climbing structure and slide.

For more information on the Father Ray Foundation visit www.fr-ray.org or “Father Ray Foundation” on Facebook.