Mother’s Day at Baan Unrak

baanunrak5
Aug 16
2 min read

Mother’s Day is an important occasion for the children of Baan Unrak, and this year they were determined to celebrate it in a special way. They organized everything by themselves, practicing for five days in advance. Every evening, the air was filled with music as they rehearsed songs and performances.

One of our children, now in university, even returned home just to join the celebration. Many of our children do not have biological mothers, but they look up to all the caring women around them as their mothers. Our caregivers are loving and dedicated, though often shy about showing affection or receiving recognition.

But as the songs echoed throughout the home in the days leading up to the event, the mothers decided to do something special too. They came together to prepare a traditional Thai sweet called Khanom Chan, made from sticky rice. This dessert symbolizes gratitude to ancestor and the belief in good fortune — a perfect gesture for such a day. They began preparations two days in advance to make sure everything was just right.

Finally, the day arrived, and the children were filled with excitement. They had directed everything themselves — from the decorations to the choreography. The event was beautifully organized. The mothers, dressed neatly and elegantly, sat in the front rows as the children sang heartfelt songs expressing love and gratitude.

The little ones sat at the front while the older children performed a moving choral piece. Then, in an orderly procession, the children approached row by row to present flowers and receive blessings from the mothers. The little ones were lovingly guided by the older children, who helped maintain order and keep the magic of the moment alive. Just before the ceremony, the older children had carefully gathered flowers for the little ones, making sure everyone could take part in this beautiful gesture. This was a rare and precious moment for the children to express their deepest feelings and for the mothers to share their hopes and wishes. There were a few tears — mostly from our volunteers — touched by the tenderness and love on display.

After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed delicious food and desserts prepared by the mothers, including a special bean salad — a summer favorite in Italy — made by the eldest mother in our home. The evening ended with cakes and joyful laughter.