School Appeal

Post by **Paul** » December 29, 2005, 6:14 pm

Just outside Udon on the way to Nong Woa Soa - about 2km after the dual carriageway turns into a single carriageway, there is a primary school.
It is just outside Udon but could be a million miles away from the big city.
The classrooms, furniture, and equipment look like something out of a Dickens novel - aged to say the least. There are not enough teachers and often a class will have no teacher.
Many of the kids are society's lowest. Their clothes are worn and torn and many are malnourished and have blackened teeth because of a lack of health care and correct diet. And yet, these are some of the happiest kids you could ever meet. Their expectations from life are low and it doesn't take a great deal to put a smile on their face.

When asked what their dreams were on leaving school, expecting replies such as doctor or pilot - One kid stated she wanted to be a refuse collector as she thought she could make a lot of money by selling plastic bottles and tin cans for recycling. what an ambition huh ?

In another instance - one kid said her mother could not attend a parents meeting as her mother had nothing nice to wear. Her mother cleans up chicken ---- for a living! One of the teachers donated an old (but useable) outfit to the kids mother and sure enough - the mother turned up to the meeting feeling very proud in the donated outfit.

Are you getting the picture?
This is by no means the only school like this in Thailand - however I have an attachment to it because I have visited a few times to play games with the kids, perhaps a little English lesson, and more often than not - watch as some of them proudly demonstrate their singing or dancing abilities.
On my last visit a couple of weeks ago - I took along some pens, pencils and crayons. No more than the cost of a couple of beers in a bar - and yet no money could ever purchase the looks on those kids faces when given some crayons or a new pencil.

I have talked with the teachers and they ask for nothing but I know that they are shy to ask - however I have been told - off the record that they desperately want some toys, clothes - anything for the kids, (and their parents even) who have nothing.

I am asking everyone reading this if they have any secondhand toys, clothes (kids AND adult), play equipment and even, if I can manage it an old computer - or spares so that I may build them one myself from available spares. Do you have an unwanted monitor for instance?

They have 4 pc's however they are over 10 years old and all are broken now despite my best attempts to continually patch them up.

I am not expecting much of a response, as I know that this kind of appeal is not common in Thailand and therefore my expectations are not high. If there is little or no response then I shall continue to make periodic visits and take along a pack of pencils or some cookies for them. It does wonders for the heart believe me.

If anyone can find some old toys, footballs, clothes etc - please let me know and I will arrange collection or where to drop it off next time you are in the city centre.

Many thanks for reading this - and Happy New Year to all

Paul

Post by **BangkokButcher** » December 29, 2005, 10:25 pm

Paul do you have any way of setting up a paypal account or something similar, i'll gladly pop over some à¸ƒà¸ƒà¸ƒ's to help out if i can.

Post by **Prenders88** » December 29, 2005, 10:47 pm

Why don't we set up our own Foundation?
In Udon Thani Province.

Tony

Post by **Alagrl** » December 30, 2005, 5:42 am

Bangkok Butcher, you asked the same thing I was thinking...perhaps if we have a PayPal account in the name of Udonmap, anything that arises in future could be handled easily in spite of currency differences.

I would gladly send some US$$ for the benefit of the school.

If not the PayPal solution, Paul, I'll need to know how/where to to send an international money order.

SHARA

valentine · Post by **valentine** » December 30, 2005, 6:43 am

Paul, how far from Nong wor Sor is this school. My reason for asking is I know the school supplies officer for the region covering from there right up to your wifes village and if its within her area she's not aware of it, but can take action if it is.

Post by **lee** » December 30, 2005, 11:52 am

Paul, if you manage to set up a paypal account I'll gladly add a donation button to this website so our visitors have the option of donating what they can. I can even design a little banner to add to the front page giving more details and links to donate. If this is successful then maybe you can take a few pictures during your visits so our members can see the cause they are helping.
I'm more than happy to help out in any way I can. Please let me know what you think.

Lee

Post by **Paul** » December 30, 2005, 4:25 pm

I am humbled by the responses so far and it is reasuring to know that despite being in a different country where there is an abundance of poverty all around - people are willing to help out a small school in a small village - simply because I asked.

Valentine: The school is only about 10k outside of Udon - just after where the dual carriageway ends and on the left hand side as the road goes up a shallow climb.

Regarding the Paypal Scheme: I haven't the first clue about how I would set up an account - however I shall dig deep and ask around and want to 'strike whilst the iron is hot' - so to speak

Thanks again and watch for further info.
Happy New Year One and All

Paul

valentine · Post by **valentine** » December 30, 2005, 4:41 pm

Sorry Paul, that is outside the area of her jurisdiction. However the local budgets are in the process of being allocated and should include this school. It might be appropiate to ask how it is being spent, as some allowance is given for the needs of underpriviliged pupils, including a welfare budget.
I wish you every success in your efforts to bring them a better life, and will gather any donations I can to send.

Post by **allen** » December 30, 2005, 6:51 pm

Paul, I commend you on your caring and thoughtfulness. This school is on the way to the wife's village so I have seen it many times. I too have an interest in her village's school and you are quite right there is nothing like the smile on their faces when they get things they can use. I will PM you to get contact info so the wife can bring some things by.

Lee, perhaps you could contact our great map sponsors about putting up
a contribution box at their businesses. As Paul said small donations make
a big difference to these kids.

As we all live in different areas maybe make a school of the month list at the monthly meetings could be a topic? Giving back to the community is a good way to show we care.

Thanks eveyone and Happy New Year!

Post by **banpaeng** » December 30, 2005, 10:41 pm

Paul, as a suggestion, you might set up an account at the Bangkok Bank. Not sure about other part of the world but there in the states, we can esend money to that account via our accounts for free. There is a small fee of $5 US for the transfer on to Udon. It would make it easy for the folks here and I bet they have something like that in Europe as they have a branch in London.

For US users you do not have to have an account in New York. You do need the routing number, account number and name on account. After that it is quite simple. Routhing number can be obtained from thier website. If Paul decieds to use this method he would supply the rest.

I like what Mr. Penders said about the foundation. A few can do so much!

Post by **bigtilly** » December 30, 2005, 11:48 pm

Paul,
I felt really humbled reading your post. Just thinking about my grandchildren back in England who have everything they need and more. We would gladly help in any way we can. I dont think my clothes would fit any of the mum's but I'm sure from what you have said that even big clothes would be made to fit. I will also go to the market and get some things for the children. Please let us know where we can drop things off, or when you are visiting again, so we can perhaps come with you.
Regards Sue & Bill

Post by **Galee** » December 31, 2005, 12:26 am

My bank charges à¸ƒ30 per International transaction, which makes it a no go as far as I'm concerned.

But I would be more than willing to give a cash donation to you whenever I'm in Udon.

Gary

Post by TC » December 31, 2005, 4:30 am

Highly commendable Mr. Paul, thankfully you are not alone and you are getting support.

There was recently an expatriate living in Udon running a marathon raising money for schools and kids.

The Udon VFW post has for many years contributed a lot to the local community, especially schools and are very well respected for there voluntary efforts along of course with many of the Christian groups. The local expatriate golfers have also raised money in the past for charity.
In Khon Kaen I believe there is a group that helps youth cricket.

There are many more individuals and groups

Post by **Bump** » December 31, 2005, 10:30 am

I'm not really involved wiht the VFW any longer just a personal choice, great group of guy. They are set up to help in these kind of matters. There is also another group called the TLC, lets see if I can get this right. Thai, Lao Cambodia brotherhood. That group has in the past donated as much as a $1,000 amonth to local school identified by the VFW and at one time administered by the VFW. That may have changed I'm not sure.

Anyway as a thought if you know a active member, you can let him identify the school and let him put them on thier list. This is going to require some patience there are a lot of schools on that list.

If the community wants to lend it's support to a particular school, I think they would entertain that and let a fund of money build up to make a significant distrubusion to that particular school.

I suggest this as the VFW already has accounts and the system in place to find the things needed.

I know from personal experience tht there are many school that don't have desks at all, this always seemed to be a item that came up consistently.

The one crieria that i recall is that they would only purchae items the would directly benefit students.

Clothing drives would be easy to launch in the states, thinking of the mother, now what Thailand would as to them being brought in I have no idea. Sometimes ideas that seem so simple can turn out to be very complex, when governments get involved. Who knows what would happen if huge boxes start showing up at customs.

Well if I can help let me know, I certainly can come up with a few baht to sweeten the pot a bit. No kids in the house so ball and uch are not here

Post by **lee** » December 31, 2005, 10:50 am

Regarding the Paypal Scheme: I haven't the first clue about how I would set up an account - however I shall dig deep and ask around and want to 'strike whilst the iron is hot' - so to speak

If you prefer I can use udonmap's Paypal account to set up a donation button? Then once a month I can print off a statement of the contributions, list the names of all who contributed on this forum and then pass on the money to you at one of the monthly meetings or transfer it to your bank. However if you'd prefer to set up a Paypal account yourself it's actually very easy, just visit www.paypal.com/uk and click signup.

When you're ready please send me details for a banner advert and maybe a couple of pictures would be nice too.

Regards, Lee

Post by **banpaeng** » December 31, 2005, 11:00 am

Way to go Lee.

Post by **Bump** » December 31, 2005, 11:22 am

For those of us who don't use credits cards can we set up a method for donating cash?

Maybe someones favorite watering hole, with a cash donation jar. Might as well go with the thia girls approach drunks are loser with money. JUST KIDDING

Post by **Isara** » December 31, 2005, 12:32 pm

Paul - I too am inspired by your kindness and generosity. Not to mention, everyone else who has responded to your message and is interested in helping. Let me know if there's anything I can do. My name is Kirk Gillock and I'm a teacher in Nong Khai. For the past few months I've been actively creating humanitarian projects in this area under the name Isara. (Earlier, Farang posted a link to my website, http://www.isara.com. ) You mentioned wanting to donate a computer. I have created a "PCs for Classrooms" project and am looking for more schools that need a computer. Let me know.

Recently our Helmets for Students program donated over 600 helmets to students in Nong Khai (and inspired the police department to donate another 500). Money was raised by visitors on a forum and all funds were transferred via PayPal (they take 4%) and then sent to my personal account in the US (free). I then went to a local ATM and withdrew the money to buy the helmets (the bank charged $6 for the International ATM fee). If you have a foreign account, with an ATM card, then PayPal might be the simplest solution (they also do e-checks for those who don't want to use credit cards).

"The meaning of life is to give life meaning."

Which ever way you decide to get the funds, your efforts are noble and you'll be making a positive difference in the lives of those students. Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions or need any help.

Kirk
Nong Khai

Post by **polehawk** » December 31, 2005, 6:02 pm

ray23 wrote:I'm not really involved wiht the VFW any longer just a personal choice, great group of guy. They are set up to help in these kind of matters. There is also another group called the TLC, lets see if I can get this right. Thai, Lao Cambodia brotherhood. That group has in the past donated as much as a $1,000 amonth to local school identified by the VFW and at one time administered by the VFW. That may have changed I'm not sure.

Anyway as a thought if you know a active member, you can let him identify the school and let him put them on thier list. This is going to require some patience there are a lot of schools on that list.

Paul,

I am a member of the TLC Brotherhood, comprised of military and civilians from many countries who served in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam conflict. Our Assistance Committee is responsible for providing schools and children in northeast Thailand and Laos with books, desks, supplies, etc. where most needed with donation funds from the membership. The website for the Assistance Program is: http://www.tlc-brotherhood.org/thare.html The Assistance Committee has a local Thai representative in the Udon Thani area who is responsible for surveying the community and making recommendations to the Assistance Committee. If interested, please send me a PM and I'll be glad to supply an email address for the TLCB Assistance Committee.

Good luck in your commendable endeavors to improve the lives of the children in the community. I will also contribute to the proposed Paypal account under the auspices of Udonmap.

Ron

Post by **yorkman** » December 31, 2005, 9:18 pm

If the infrastructure is already in place this seems well worth supporting.

I went on a trip at the beginning of the year with my wife and some other teachers visiting schools along the Cambodian border. Its an annual thing meant as somewhat of an eye opener for the teachers in the luckier government schools.

What makes it even worse for the kids in the poorer areas is that free education ends at 12 even in government schools in Thailand, so 6-12 in a very poor environment, even given the major efforts put in by many of the teachers, does not amount to much of a start in life.