How to keep kids out of trouble

AN OUTSPOKEN ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Her Royal Highness Princess Bajarakiti- yabha has a pet royal project of her own – encouraging young people to get involved in sports instead of illegal drugs. 
The Princess’ birthday on December 7 was a fitting time to spread the word about the collective efforts of the Nabha Foundation, the Princess Bajarakitiyabha Royal Project known as R908, and the BBG Club.

The exhibition “Nabha: The Secret Scenes” coincided with the BBG Princess Cup table tennis competition. 
The public is more familiar with Princess Bajarakitiyabha’s Kamlangjai project – the name means “support and encouragement” – which helps people caught up in the criminal justice system who are considered vulnerable, including women in prison and pregnant inmates and children born to inmates. 
Less well known, the Nabha Foundation was established in 2014 in the belief that, while people can’t choose the circumstances into which they’re born, everyone deserves the right to choose how they live. 
Opening the event, the Princess said she was pleased that government and the private sector recognise the importance of ensuring that people have the opportunity to improve their lives and make amendments for their mistakes. 
“There are many people who are lack acceptance in this society,” she said. “I appreciate the generous support and good intentions, which will ultimately make the country more peaceful. Youth is the key to the country’s and the world’s development. They will bring about the creativity and innovation we need.” 
When youth is led astray and falls foul of the law, it has to be a “major concern” for society, she said, and sporting endeavours represent a valuable tool for making sure they aren’t led astray.

“Sport not only builds strength, discipline and social harmony, but it also creates confidence and teaches us how to lose as well as win. It teaches perseverance and the importance of practice to build skills, and that process equips them with good judgement that will serve them throughout their lives.”
Foundation vice president Ekaphop Detkriangkraisorn said its main focus initially was to give current and former prison inmates the chance to start new lives. 
“People might think we were fully equipped with a headquarters and everything, but in fact we started in a humble office, just three by four metres, with two computers. You can see a model of it in this exhibition. 

“But we’re now thankful for that small start, because it reminded us that you can always give people opportunities, no matter what the circumstances,” he said. “What’s important is to start fast so you can help more people. So we’ve expanded our scale of support to young people who are at risk of making mistakes in their lives, like kids from broken homes or living in foster homes.”
The foundation’s logo resembles the infinity symbol, signifying infinite opportunities. The name Nabha itself is a homophone of “napa”, the Pali word for infinite blue sky and representing endless forgiveness. As well, “na” means “here” and “bha” is an abbreviation of the Princess’ name. Together, the name is taken to mean “Living here with Her Royal Highness and move forward together with the Nabha Foundation.
“We provide effective integrated learning and training courses to inmates, giving them skills and the potential to manufacture high-quality products, which are sold under Nabha’s supervision,” Ekabhop explained. “We believe they can in this way regain their confidence and have the potential to earn a living once released. 
“We recognise the importance of giving those who are disadvantaged a chance, without any prejudice. People can see from the high quality of the products they make that these inmates deserve to be forgiven. Everyone should be open-minded and show them respect so they’ll be encouraged to devote themselves to doing good deeds for society.”
The products are sold under the brand names Chann and Tra, which derive from “channtra”, Pali for the moon – a sight that prison inmates rarely get to see. 
The royal project designated R908 helps underprivileged people in remote areas of Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nong Bua Lamphu. 
And the BBG Club (Bounce Be Good), just started this year, combines the Bounce Be Good project, Young Table Tennis the Way of Change, and Young Badminton the Way of Change.
“Princess Bajarakittiyabha uses sport as a way to give young people a better chance in life,” Ekabhop said. “She knew that table tennis was a fun sport and that you don’t need a lot of space to play. 
“So we started from there, and now we’re expanding into foster homes and getting the general public more involved. Any youngsters who show potential are invited to live in the BBG house, where they undergo training while living in a home |they can call their own. Each year we plan to train 230 to 270 youths, right up to competition standard. 
“The BBG Club being granted royal patronage has been a big help. We now have seven professional table tennis players in the club and one badminton pro. Kids who love either sport but aren’t particularly good at them can be trained for related careers, such as referees or coaches, so they too will have sufficient income and get a boost in their self-esteem. 
“At the Nabha Foundation we work hard every day, because we feel, if we delay giving disadvantaged youth the opportunities they need, we might lose them for good.”