Chitpas 'Tant' Bhirombhakdi combines her role as attache to the prime minister's secretariat with that of brand manager for FIJI water. She also recently became ambassador for "Women Build,"a division of Habitat for Humanity International.
HOWDO YOU JUGGLE YOUR WORK?
My schedule at Government House is not really fixed, as it depends on the schedule of the PM, such as whether he has a meeting to attend. On weekends, I often have to phone my business team. In the evenings or when I'm free, I have to try to come into the office whenever I can.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR WOMEN BUILD?
Habitat for Humanity builds homes for the International.underprivileged, and Women Build focus on impoverished families with daughters. In commemoration of His Majesty the King's 82nd Birthday, former US president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will be presiding over our bid to topple a world record in November by building 82 houses in five days. We invite all of you to join us in Chiang Mai.
WHAT DRAWS YOU TO CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS?
I've always believed in the concept of social responsibility, so I seized on this project when they invited me. It's all about opportunity; plenty of people want to do something good and give back to society but rarely does an opportunity arise. It's easy to donate money but to volunteer, it really means much more.With Habitat you get the chance to actually perform the tasks, while those that were intended to benefit from your efforts really do benefit. It's also open for everyone to volunteer. You don't have to be rich, so long as you really want to help, to take part.
WHAT'S YOUR LONG-TERM GOAL?
My main goal is to become the first female prime minister of Thailand. The only thing that is certain in the future is uncertainty so I think it is right to aim high and be prepared to work hard in trying to reach your goals.
CAN YOU SHARE SOME EXPERIENCES FROM WORKING CLOSELY WITH TWO PRIME MINISTERS?
I've learnt that I have a very long way to go before I get there [laughs]. PM Abhisit is an excellent role model who represents a new breed of politicians. To be in that position you have to make immense personal sacrifices out of patriotism and love of the country.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO YOUNG WOMENWHO
BELIEVE THEY ARE NOT CUT OUT FOR POLITICS OR
VOLUNTARY WORK?
First of all, they should erase that frame of mind. If they think that this is a man's world, they will always be in the same spot and won't achieve any kind of fulfilling success. I want to
encourage them that they too can make an impact on the world.For example, Women Build is an open organisation which offers the opportunity for every woman to actively perform charitable deeds.
YOU ONCE DECLARED THAT IF YOU BECAME PM,
YOU'D MAKE THE WHOLE OF THAILAND PINK.WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT COLOURFUL VISION?
My friends made that up a long time ago [laughs]! It's just that I'm a girl and I was typically obsessed
with the colour pink! Even so it's a lovely
colour and represents love. Especially
with all the division in the country, it
would be nice to see Thai people
loving each other again.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment