Business owners give back to Project Literacy

Project Literacy helped the owners of Bai Tong Restaurant when they immigrated to Kelowna from Thailand, now Bai Tong is supporting Project Literacy

During Raise-a-Reader Week, Project Literacy is celebrating its 35th anniversary of supporting literacy in Kelowna.

Some of the immigrants Project Literacy has helped, are now in turn supporting the community. The owners of the Bai Tong Restaurant in downtown Kelowna are an example of learners giving back to the community.

Kitti and Jamjit Karunyasopon and their two young sons arrived in Kelowna in 2000. They came from Thailand where they had professional careers and strong family ties. Kitti and Jamjit made the decision to emigrate to Canada because of the opportunities Canada offered them and their young family.

When they arrived in Kelowna, Kitti and Jamjit spoke little English and spent several difficult years in this new, very alien environment. They felt isolated and insecure, not knowing Canadian customs or culture.

They were determined to open a Thai restaurant in Kelowna to provide their family with a financially secure future, but to do so, they needed to improve their English literacy skills.

In 2004, Kitti and Jamjit were referred to Project Literacy (Project Literacy Central Okanagan Society) and this changed their lives. They not only learned English but were encouraged to achieve their goals and, as Kitti said “to never give up.”

In 2006, they opened Bai Tong restaurant with Kitti managing the restaurant and Jamjit preparing authentic Thai food. Bai Tong is located at 275 Bernard Ave. and has an outdoor patio.

In 2007, the whole family became Canadian citizens.

For the past 17 years, Kitti and Jamjit have been giving back to the community. They returned to Project Literacy frequently and offered jobs in their restaurant to other Canadian immigrants.

They have volunteered extensively in the community and, throughout the years, have donated their time and money to several agencies and foundations.

In 2012, Kitti and Jamjit partnered with Project Literacy on a fundraiser. The month-long event called “Dine & Donate,” raised $4,000.

Their son, Poom returned to Bangkok, Thailand, and trained at the Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant. He now plays a key role at Bai Tong and has continued their generous contributions to Project Literacy.

Similar fundraisers were held in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2019. Over the past 14 years, Kitti, Jamjit and Poom, through their Bai Tong Restaurant fundraisers, have contributed close to $10,000 to Project Literacy.

In celebration of its 35th anniversary, Project Literacy recognizes this outstanding family which has given so much to the greater community of Kelowna.

Project Literacy continues to provide literacy support because of the generosity and commitment of people like Kitti and Jamjit who give back to organizations, which have meant so much to their family.

September is Raise-a-Reader month. All donations received during September are topped up by the provincial government.