St Lucia and SWEA in Klongtoey

”Mamma’s kök” (Mother’s Kitchen) in Klongtoey’s slum hosted, for the second time, a Swedish traditional St Lucia celebration for kids living in Klongtoey’s slum. St Lucia and herentourage surprised the kids with  beautiful classic Christmas carols.

This festive evening took place on Friday December 15th and was organised by Mamma’s Kök, with sponsor from SWEA and Hotel Royal Bangkok at Chinatown, with its Swedish GM Nick Moberg. Nick and his staff brought a huge bag with Christmas gifts for the kids as well as a magician that was there in the memory of Nick’s mother that passed away some years ago.

Mia Palmqvist and her staff, served classic Swedish Christmas food like; Prince sausages, saffron buns and much more and Annika secured a lots of ”tomteluvor” to all the kids.

SWEA made a donation and a few of the SWEA women and a few staff from the Swedish Embassy with spouses helped out to make the evening a special memory. SWEA has, during several years, helped out organising different projects in the slum. Who hasn’t heard of Annika Jonasson? She started years ago, a project in the slum to help single moms to learn to support themselves and their children, by teaching them how to do beautiful hangers, today a well known brand “Hang on Hangers”. Bracelets, necklaces and other products followed and many of those single mom’s lives have changed to the better with Annika”s initiative.

Mia Palmqvist, born in Thailand and at a very young age adopted by Swedish parents and brought up in Sweden, decided to return to Thailand to search for her roots. To show her appreciating for everything she has received, she decided to “give back” and started Mamma’s Kök, taking on young Thai people, educating them in cooking, baking, serving, selling and much more, giving them a chance to find a job.

Nick Moberg, GM at the Hotel Royal Bangkok at Chinatown and his staff, have shown a big heart by organising the gifts for the kids and participate at the event. Great support that made many kids day.

Quite a few photographers came to catch the happening and among them, SWEA’S own photographer Camilla Davidsson.

A beautiful, memorable evening organised by people with big hearts. A tradition we all want to keep up with.