History of “Nongkhai Redemptorist Technological College for People with Disabilities Under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn”

The Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities is a charitable organization established by Father Raymond Allen Brennan, or “Father Ray,” with the approval of the Redemptorist Congregation of Thailand. Its purpose was to ensure the sustainability of the Redemptorist Vocational School Pattaya, which has been operating since 1984, to continue working in accordance with the Redemptorist spirit: “Helping those in need to help themselves, not be a burden to others, and become selfless contributors to society.”

The Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities has a project to establish a vocational training school for people with disabilities to expand educational opportunities, employment, and reduce the burden on families and society. The focus is on self-employment, group formation, or entrepreneurship, promoting sustainable learning through non-formal and informal education without age restrictions. It also serves as an International Services Center on a 20-rai plot in Nong Khai province.

The project to establish a vocational training school for people with disabilities in Nong Khai province, called “Redemptorist Vocational School Nong Khai,” is a vocational skills training school for people with mobility impairments such as amputees, paralysis, polio, and muscular dystrophy. It aims to expand educational and career opportunities, promote employment, and reduce the burden on families and society. The school emphasizes self-employment, group formation, or entrepreneurship. Students receive three meals a day, accommodation, and education free of charge. The school also promotes sustainable learning through basic education in non-formal or informal settings without age restrictions. Additionally, it establishes an International Services Center for learning, management, training, and seminars. Upon graduation, students are encouraged to become entrepreneurs, self-employed, or form groups for employment. The school is located on a 20-rai plot in Nong Khai province, bordering neighboring countries, especially Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. In the future, it plans to expand opportunities for people with disabilities from neighboring countries to study together.

In 2017, the school received permission from the Office of Vocational Education Commission to establish a formal school under the Private School Act B.E. 2550 (2007), using the name “Redemptorist Technological College Nong Khai” on May 16, 2017. It offers vocational certificate (ปวช.) and higher vocational certificate (ปวส.) programs in Business Computer. Additionally, it provides basic education courses to help illiterate people with disabilities learn to read and write, as well as bakery and wheelchair technician courses.

Before becoming “Redemptorist Technological College Nong Khai” Ms. Samrit Siriram and Mr. Kiattisak Faengchaiyaphum arrived in Nong Khai province on July 9, 2009, to begin the project of establishing “Redemptorist Vocational School Nong Khai.” Ms. Samrit Siriram served as the project manager, and they received support from St. Alfonso Church to use their space as a temporary office.

At the beginning of the project, local people still had negative attitudes towards people with disabilities, which affected the work and coordination. In addition to helping people with disabilities, there was a need to change people’s attitudes. To reach people with disabilities, they used methods such as visiting areas both in Nong Khai and other provinces, promoting and organizing activities for people with disabilities and related individuals to receive information about the project. The first group of 18 students started learning in early October 2009, with a curriculum focused on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities (a 2-year course). During this time, in addition to teaching, an important activity was clearing the 20-rai plot of land, which was the site for the “Redemptorist Vocational School Nong Khai” project.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously accepted “Redemptorist Technological College Nong Khai” under her Royal Patronage Referring to the letter from the Royal Household Bureau No. Ror Lor 0010/1886 dated March 13, 2020, regarding the acceptance of Redemptorist Technological College Nong Khai under Royal Patronage, in response to the letter from the Redemptorist Foundation for People with Disabilities No. Mor Thor Por 092/2561 dated July 9, 2018, requesting Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to graciously accept Redemptorist Technological College Nong Khai, which is a college for people [with disabilities] under her Royal Patronage.