Christmas at Baan Unrak: A Season of Connection, Care, and Shared Dreams

baanunrak5
1 day ago
3 min read

Christmas at Baan Unrak is always special, but this year it carried a deeper meaning. It became a season shaped by shared effort, creativity, and—above all—connections that reached beyond borders, passports, and nationalities.

Art That Opened Hearts.

Our first guests were five professional artists from Singapore. With generosity, experience, and dedication, they brought the healing power of art into our home. We welcomed them with gratitude, knowing how deeply art can touch and transform young hearts.

Through movement, music, and performance, they helped our children express emotions and stories that words alone cannot carry. Together, artists and children created meaningful performances, guided by trust and openness. The results were extraordinary: even our youngest children memorized two full performances in Chinese—despite hearing the language for the first time. Each age group was supported according to its needs, and every child found a way to create and shine.

When the artists departed, they left with hearts full of shared accomplishment—and they left behind a space, both practical and emotional, for what was to come next.

Youth Without Borders.

Soon after, we welcomed 19 teenagers and 10 staff members from Sport Cares Singapore. They came not only to play and share activities, but to meet one another truly. From the beginning, their purpose was clear: to build connections beyond nationality and documents.

For our children—many of whom cannot travel and some who do not hold citizenship—this encounter was deeply meaningful. Meeting peers from another country, laughing, playing, and creating together opened a new inner horizon. It allowed them to dream of a future where they, too, might move freely, connect openly, and belong to the world.

Dreams are the beginning of tomorrow.

That is why we welcomed the Sport Cares students—because we believe in a future shaped by care, respect, and shared humanity.

Work, Care, and Compassion

Although it was Christmas, our children continued attending school, as Thailand is not a Christian country. During school hours, the Singapore youth worked tirelessly. They built a fence for our goats—who provide milk for our cheese—so they could roam freely and live with dignity. This, for us, is the minimum care we owe to the animals who support our community.

They also reached beyond our home, distributing food to 88 struggling families in the Sangklaburi area and joining educational activities with our kindergarten children. Their actions were practical, compassionate, and deeply sincere.

Days of Energy, Nights of Creativity

Every afternoon was filled with sports, laughter, and shared play. With each activity, invisible boundaries softened and new bonds were formed.

Even in the evenings, no one wished to rest. After meals, our children gathered on the sports field to rehearse for the final performance, while the Sport Cares youth prepared their own surprise in the dining hall. Everyone wanted to give their best to one another.

A Final Evening to Remember.

The final evening arrived all too quickly. Wanting to honor the recent passing of Queen Sirikit, we chose a gentle and respectful atmosphere rather than something loud or dramatic.

Thanks to the artists’ guidance, our children presented beautiful and surprising performances. The Sport Cares youth added a powerful and dynamic dance that brought the stage fully alive. The evening flowed with grace, joy, and shared pride.

It ended with drinks, cakes, pizza, and spontaneous dancing—everyone together, naturally and without barriers. It felt like a collective embrace.

A Christmas of Meaning

This Christmas was not just a celebration. It was an awakening—an experience of connection, care, effort, and shared dreams.

The following day, departure was difficult. Memories were exchanged, promises to return were made, and tears mixed with smiles. Though our friends had to leave, our hearts remained full.