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REPORT 6
THE THAI CHILDREN AND FAMILY PROJECT 2009.
Sriracha, Thailand August 23,2009
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As we have to drive quite a distance - over 400 kilometre - today to make it to Sriracha, a few little things in the program got reshuffled and where shifted to tomorrow. This made it all a little bit more relaxed. We are in the rainy season, and there are times when it absolutely pours down. Luckily we have had good weather for the handovers and were able to walk around without getting drenched. The first handover was in the city at a pre-primary and primary school of 399 children. The school has won a price for the most nature friendly school. They also had a clean water system through the local Rotary club. In total US$ 58.000 was made available through matching grants mainly from Taiwan, for many schools in the Nakhon Ratchasima district.
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At the second site we had to do three handovers.
We made a quick little stop at a handicapped school for deaf and mentally challenged children. They were just about having their lunch and enjoyed talking at us. It is great to see Rotary being involved in so many community projects and to experience this by just talking to the people in each community or just even by looking at their faces. We have driven through the poorest area of Thailand, and yet there is so much richness and hospitality. We often received so much food as well as drinks that they had prepared in advance, and gave present after present. The schools and day care centres might be given the books, they give so much in return, that we were often overwhelmed by it. What is so great about this project as well is that is actually does not justify to be called a library project as it is much more than just providing the books. The project aims to assist through the NGO of the Tai Wisdom Association in Khon Kaen to educate the teachers and day care centre managers how to use books and how to read aloud. Children books have not been around that long, about 15 years, and most adults have never been read to as a child. It seems easy to read to a child, but if you realize that like most things in life it is only easy if you know how. The feedback was time after time from the teachers that the training had made such an impact to have gained the knowledge in how to read to these children and how to take advantage of the stories in these books.
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Another project we visited on our way were new toilets that were donated by the Rotary. This school had no toilets at all and were very proud to show them to us. About 12 people die each year by snake bites alone when they have to walk into the forest to go to the toilet. Another stark contrast is the sanitation. Some schools had posters with 12 steps on how to wash your hands, but other schools have no soap at all, and this might be a next opportunity after getting new toilets.
As we are driving over bigger roads now you can see the change in the surroundings.
Bigger houses and bigger cities, there is more money around here. As we arrive in Sriracha we are told that this city is called ‘Little Tokyo’ for there are a lot of Japanese business men working in this area and having their residence in Sriracha. |
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After a great night at Karavel House and a fun party put on by the Rotary club of Sriracha we went the next morning to do the last two handovers. The first one was at a day care centre Koh-Sichang run by the local Municipality. Here we did two handovers, as a school from island of Koh Samet had sent their
representatives as well. This little school had quite some great tools and even taught their 3 year old Thai and English. On top of everything else they had set up a little exercise room for the preschoolers, which was quite unique! Our last place was about 20 km outside the city and this school had put a lot of time in their preparations as well. |
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A big banner hanging with the words: “We are grateful for your
support to give us the valuable books for the children and family project – Thank you very much” They also had made a big display with photos from our group at the training. This school had a lovely atmosphere and it proves again that even if the building and ‘hardware’ of a school is not much, a good dedicated teacher can ensure the success of a school. The project has been going now for three years, and it has been a marvellous success. Over 40,000 books have been distributed and far more children are able to make a better start in their lives by having access to these books. After food and water it is of high importance to be able to give honey for a child’s heart, meaning to give them the richness of stories and picture books to enable them to learn about the world and to make a change in their lives and in the future of Thailand. Thanks to so many Rotary clubs throughout the world. And as we speak there are so many more schools and day care centres in the poorest area of Thailand wanting to be part of this project and having the opportunity to make a change in their own community. It is up to everyone to spread these stories around and to help providing these children in getting access to books and so to give them the world. |
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From Sriracha, Thailand by Irene Zijp |
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Report 1
Report 2
Report 3
Report 4
Report 5
Report 6 |
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