September 10-11, 2022 – Tawanchai Foundation for patients with cleft lips and palate, and craniofacial deformities carried out a project that provides full-cycle medical care services for the patients who live in the area of Khon Kaen Province. This project, Tawanchai Camp, is the 10th time to be held. The activities were run with budget support from Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organization. The camp was organized at Ban Klang Suan and i-hotel. Khun Sitthikul Phukhamwong, Vice President of Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organization came to preside over the opening session. Among distinguished attendants at the opening ceremony were: Assoc. Prof. Waranuch Pitiphat, Ph.D., D.D.S., Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry; Prof. Bawornsilp Chowchuen, M.D., Chairman of Tawanchai Foundation Board; Khun Ratree Saokoson, Vice Chairperson of Khon Kaen Red Cross; Assoc. Prof. Poonsak Pisek, Ph.D., D.D.S., Chairman of Tawanchai Center Committee; Khun Nucharee Homnan, Head of the Nursing Section; medical professionals and other distinguished guests.
The objectives of this project were to:
1) Provide full-cycle services in medical care to patients with cleft lips, palates and craniofacial deformities in Khon Kaen in 5 dimensions: health, education, living, social, and empowerment.
2) Help the patients understand their own values and become confident in socialization.
3) Enable the patients to set their goals of life and develop their own potentialities.
Participants at the camp totaled 33 households (74 people). Trainers were from the Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts (Cheewasilp House), the Natural Science Museum, RS.PG., Khon Kaen University, Ban Suan Benjamongkon, Ban Klang Suan, and Huan Nang Khram. The activities included assessment of facial identities, assessment of oral health, health information, English lessons, pizza making, cloth printing with leaves, indigo dyeing, growing chemical-free (green) vegetables, holding a mini-farm, value adding of products with cases, and online marketing. The households received one scholarship each. They learned how to take care of their own health. They enjoyed the activities and were happy to learn about sciences and English. The activities will continue to be arranged again in the future for the ‘Tawanchai families’.
