The Royal Thai Embassy and the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) jointly organized the social responsibility initiative “New Legs, New Life for Myanmar Disabled”, under which a sum of 11 million kyats (approx. 11,000 US Dollars) was raised from donation.Some of the fund was used to sponsor 3 Myanmar children to get their new legs at the Prosthesis Foundation of H.R.H the Princess Mother in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

     The dreams of these children finally came true when they went to Chiang Mai during 1-6 September 2013with their mothers and their benefactors from Aung Sat KyarMogokVipassana Meditation Centre, led by Aung Sat Kyat Sayadaw.

     At the Foundation, they were welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. TherdchaiJivacate, Secretary-General, who personally took care of these children to make sure their new legs fit perfectly to ensure that they could walk naturally and comfortably.

The Prostheses Foundation was founded by H.R.H. Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother, in 1992 when she had learned that Assoc. Prof. Dr. TherdchaiJivacate was able to produce light and comfortable prostheses from recycled plastic which cost 10 times lower than those imported. H.R.H. the Princess Mother initiated the establishment of the Foundation to provide prostheses for amputees free of charge, regardless of nationality or religion.

     The project “New Legs, New Life for Myanmar Disabled” is part of the commemorative activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Myanmar and Thailand diplomatic relations in 2013.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand also provided budgetto upgrade the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Yangonby training the technicians and providing equipment and materials for the production of prostheses.Myanmar disabled will have improved access to low cost but high quality prostheses to regain their mobility and dignity to lead fruitful lives.