Office location: The Caulfield Foundation for the Blind under the Royal Patronage. 1424/268 Pracha Songkhro Road, Soi 16, Dindaeng Sub-District, Dindaeng District, Bangkok 10400. Tel. 02-276-1411, 02-275-3104 Fax. 02-257-1964.
The History of the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind
Under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
The Caulfield Foundation for the Blind was established in 1979 by Mrs. Aurora Sribuapan and Mr. Kreung Sribuapan (both blind) whom are the apprentice of Miss Genevieve Caulfield's the American blind women who initiated the education for the blind in Thailand (between 1939 and 1972). Mrs. Aurora and Mr. Kreung have the initiative to establish the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind to be the memorial of Miss Caulfield (deceased). They have persuaded friends or those familiar with Miss Caulfield to form a preparatory working group and campaign for funding to register the foundation. The first set of preparatory committees include:
- Poonsawat Bulyalert (Retired government official) Chairman
- Miss Pinyo Na Nakorn (Wattana Wittaya Academy manager) Secretary
- Jit Wattanakaseam (Supporter of the school for the blind) Treasurer
- Aurora Sribuapan (Miss Caulfield’s apprentice) Committee
- เครื่อง ศรีบัวพันธุ์ (Miss Caulfield’s apprentice) Committee
The above committee convened a resolution to establish the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind and draft the foundation regulations on December 12, 1979 at Wattana Wittaya Academy. As a result of the meeting, it was resolved to register the foundation, titled “The Caulfield Foundation for Blind” and use T.C.F.B for the abbreviation. The objective is to:
- Promote Thai’s culture
- Promote education and occupation for the blind regardless of birth and religions
- Promote charity and public interests for the blind
- Promote and coordinate operations for the blind
- Promote the survey and research of the blind’s problem
- Coordinate with the blind related international organizations or with foreign country
- Coordinate with others charity organization for public interests
- No political involvement
The preparation committee has submitted documents and a capital of 100,000 baht (one hundred thousand baht) to the Bangkok City Hall to register the name of “Caulfield Foundation for the Blind” and locate the office at Number 16 Soi Thanarak St.Louis 3, South Sathorn Road, Yan Nawa Sub-District, Yan Nawa District, Bangkok Metropolitan. The license to establish a foundation was obtained on February 21, 1980, it was authorized by Lady Suchada Thirawat – the Deputy Secretary General, Acting Secretary General of the National Culture Commission (at the time). The first committee of the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind is as follows:
1. Prof. Prabhut Teerakupt Chairman
- Lady Saengdao Siamwala 1st Vice President
- Mr. Poonsawat Boonyalert 2nd Vice President
- Mr. Manop Isarasanee Assistant Treasurer
- Mrs. Pongsri Keelanich Public Relations
- Ms. Phinyo Na Nakhon Secretary General
- Mrs. Suda Sasibhudtra Committee
- Ms. Amnuay Watcharakittithada Committee
- Ms. Chaovanee Santisevi Committee
- Mrs. Wannee Wittayasirinan Committee
- Mrs. Yingpan Munikanon Committee
- Mrs.Duangporn Thareechatra Committee
- Mrs. Daraporn Sukhampiranon Committee
- Mr. Jit Wattanakaseam Committee
- Mrs. Aurora Sribuapan Committee
- Mr. เครื่อง ศรีบัวพันธุ์ Committee
The Achievements of the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind
The first set of executive committee intends to set up an elementary school for the blind on the outskirts of Bangkok, as many blind children do not have the opportunity to be educated, even though Thailand already having two schools for the blind: the Bangkok School of the Blind and the Northern School of the Blind in Chiang Mai. To do so, it requires lots of funding and the land for school location which the foundation is donated are located far away and the transportation was inconvenient. Hence, the new plan was carried out as follows:
- 1985: Purchased one unit of commercial building at 1424/268 Pracha Songkhro road, Soi 16, Dindaeng Sub-District, Dindaeng District, Bangkok 10400 as a branch office to prepare for teaching and learning informal education for the blind and used for practicing traditional massage, which is the core will of the foundation. This branch office was purchased for 380,000 baht (three hundred and eighty thousand baht) with the support of the faithful.
- 1986: On January 3, 1986, the first executive committee changed their intention from opening the elementary school to opening a traditional massage training center and informal education center for the blind. Accepting the blind people aged 20 and over who are domiciled in Bangkok and metropolitan areas and have no chance of being educated by other blind institutions before, or those who have already studied but have no job.
-1987: Six blind people were accepted to study traditional massage. On May 8, 1987, the foundation officially opened the first branch with the ceremony to present the certificate to the first-generation students who graduate from the traditional massage profession course. The ceremony was presided over by Lady Kanok Samsenville.
-1988 to 1989: The foundation accepted the first generation of international students – two students from Malaysia to study traditional massage. Furthermore, the foundation received four funding package per year from the Hellen Keller organizations to accept blind people from other provinces to receive the training. In this regard, the foundation has provided meals and accommodations in the same alley as the office to the fund receiver. It appears that more blind people in Bangkok and upcountry wishing to undergo the massage training. Therefore, the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind has to campaigned for funding to purchase one more unit of the commercial building through the media and receive donations from both Thais and foreigners.
- 1990: When a fair amount of donations was received, the foundation purchased the second unit of the commercial building near the first unit, at the house no.1424/257, for 1,200,000 baht, supported by the faithful and the Karitas Nierland Dika Organization in Netherlands.
- 1992: On July 9, 1992, the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind was christened by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to operate under the royal patronage.
Therefore, the regulations (official document) have been changed – document no. 1356, titled “Caulfield Foundation for the Blind Under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn”, located at 1424/268 Pracha Songkhro road, Soi 16, Dindaeng Sub-District, Dindaeng District, Bangkok 10400.
- 1993: On January 26, 1993, former Air Force Chief Gen. Kant Pimanthip and the Royal Thai Air Force Army organized the "Light of Faith" event at the Public Relations Department in which broadcast on Channel 11. Distinguish guests and many superstars were invited to receive donations to fund the purchase of more unit of the building, since the original location is not enough for the blind who come to receive training. According to the event, a donation of 6,000,000 baht was enough to buy the third unit, house No. 1424/256, which located next to the second unit for 2,100,000 Baht, supported by both domestic and international faithful people.
- 1994: Buy the fourth unit of the building for 2,550,000 baht, supported by the general faithful people.
- 1996: Buy the fifth unit of the building for 2,500,000 baht, supported by the general faithful people.
In total, the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind Under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has five units of commercial building which divided into: the traditional massage training center and female dormitory for 2 units, cafeteria and kitchen for 1 unit, and the traditional massage facilities and male dormitory for 2 units.
- In the present, the Ministry of Finance has announced that the Caulfield Foundation for the Blind under the Royal Patronage is the 301st organization for public charity, according to the Ministry of Finance declaration (No. 55) dated August 31, 1996. Under this circumstance the donors can use the receipts of donation for tax deduction purpose.
Logo of the Foundation
Guidelines for Applicants Thai Massage Course for the Visually ImpairedQualification: Visually impaired, age 20 years and over, regardless of gender and religions. Proof of application:
- 1 copy of national ID card
- 1 copy of house registration
- 1 copy of disability card
- 3 of 1.5-inch photographs
- Evidence of education from other institutions
- The applicant must have a relative or an accreditor
- Medical certificate shows that the applicant is a healthy person and does not have a medical condition or serious disease.
Braille in Thai was first coined in 1939 by a blind American lady named Miss Genevive Caufield, together with a group of Thai people inventing the Thai braille alphabet. which is adapted from English braille Since then, it has opened the era of learning books for the Thai blind. Later, he initiated the establishment of a school for the blind in Bangkok.
Under the care of Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, Miss Genieviv Caulfield has always helped the Foundation and passed away in 1972 in Thailand.
Meaning of Braille (Braille)
- Braille Braille is for the blind. It looks like a small convex point in 1 box, consisting of 6 points, which are arranged in groups alternately to form a code instead of Ta Dee. Or mathematical symbols, science, music, etc., writing using specific tools called slate and stylus (Stylus) printing using a Braille printer (Brailler).
2. Braille writing equipment
2.1 Stylus (Stylus) intended for writing Braille. Must be used in conjunction with Slate (Slate). The stylus consists of 3 parts: the head, the body and the tip of the needle.
2.2 Slate is a board used for inserting paper for braille writing. Inside the board consists of channel in a long row Each slot has 6 holes for writing each slate, each slate has a cover to open-close. and paper lock
2.3 Braille printers (Brailler) are used for braille printing.
2.4 Writing and printing paper Should be selected to suit the type of equipment.
3.How to use school supplies
3.1 Using a stylus (Stylus) is for writing braille. There is a correct way to hold the stylus. by placing the base of the index finger on the stylus and put the thumb under the base of the index finger Use your thumb, base of middle finger and forefinger to hold the head upright. and hold it tight
3.2 Slate is used for writing braille.- Placing the slate, place the side with the slot on top. The hinge is on the left hand side and the slate is placed parallel to the author's body.- Opening and closing the slate open on the right the left will lock3.3 To load paper, open the top slate and load paper. By inserting the left edge of the paper aligned with the left hinge. and the header is on the top edge of the slate. and press the paper down on the four buttons of the slate used to lock the paper. then close the slate3.4 Scrolling the paper Open the top slate up. Then slide the bottom sheet of paper upward. By putting the 2 bottom paper lock buttons on top of the top 2 paper lock buttons, and then close the paperweight slate. Note The paper advancement depends mainly on the nature of the slate.
3.3 To load paper, open the top slate and load paper. By inserting the left edge of the paper aligned with the left hinge. and the header is on the top edge of the slate. and press the paper down on the four buttons of the slate used to lock the paper. then close the slate
3.4 Scrolling the paper Open the top slate up. Then slide the bottom sheet of paper upward. By putting the 2 bottom paper lock buttons on top of the top 2 paper lock buttons, and then close the paperweight slate.
Note The paper advancement depends mainly on the nature of the slate.
- How to write braille
4.1 Use the left index finger to touch the slot of the slate from right to left.
4.2 Put your right hand on the stylus Then write from right to left using the left index finger to mark the box.
Current Board of Directors B.E. 2022 (Sept. 2022)
- Mr. เครื่อง ศรีบัวพันธุ์, Position Chairman
- Mr. Chuang โพธิ์รัญ Position Vice Chairman
- Mr. Thanawat Chatthanachot Position Director
- ว่าที่. ร้อยตรี. Attaporn Sribuaphan, Position Director
- Mr. Yai Pongsanaongkul Position Director
- Mr. Silarerk Pianuam Position Director
- Mr. Thinakorn Aromsuk Position Director
- Mr. Surapon Sawetsomboon Position Foreign Director
- Mr. Selim Hassan Position Foreign Director
- Ms. Somjai Tanthavittayakul Position Director and Treasurer
- Mrs. Sirinee Aksornmee Position Director and Assistant Treasurer
- Mrs. Waraporn Limchaikit, Position Director and Secretary-General
- Mr. Chalong Sucharitatham, Position Director and Assistant Secretary-General