An ISB team went to Khao Lak on April 5th to observe the progress of the construction of Ban Bang Sak School. We also hosted Mr.Sam Katz, chairman of DTS and his team from Cendant Cares. Cendant Cares is a major co-sponsor of the ISB Tsunami Relief Network.
While on this visit, Mr. Katz presented a check on behalf of Cendant Cares for 500,000 US dollars to the Ban Bang Sak School Project. Sam and his team met with students, treated them to a pizza lunch and gave each student a new Ban Bang Sak School backpack. Other officials present were the Deputy Governor of Phang Nga Province, a representative from Rajaprachanukroh Foundation, and the Superintendent of Phang Nga School District. Teachers, parents and students from Taipei American School were also present. They have been in Khao Lak for a week volunteering in the area and at Ban Bang Sak School.
The Ban Bang Sak students are now on their summer holidays until May 17th. Almost all of them came to school on April 5th to meet with us and the team from Cendant Cares. We are happy to report that walls have been put in place in the temporary classroom buildings and that the students are using all of the desks, chairs and uniforms donated by ISB. We are also happy to report that most of the students are much happier and confident than they were in past visits.
The construction of buildings at the new school site is well under way. Three dormitories, two classroom buildings, a computer building, a nurse station and the kitchen facility have all been started. The Rajaprachanukroh Foundation has contracted the army to handle all construction. Members of the army are living in a temporary camp on the site and working six days a week rebuilding Ban Bang Sak School. Construction time of the buildings is estimated at ten to twelve months. The dormitories will be the first construction to be completed in the next few months.
ISB and its Network is continuing with fund raising efforts and direct assistance for this project and for the students of Ban Bang Sak School. At this moment the total funds raised so-far by the Network (including the 500,000 US dollars donated by Cendant Cares) is approximately 725,000 US dollars and there are still many projects going on.
We are grateful for all who contributed and continue to contribute to this on-going project. We will update this site regularly.
For more information, please contact Usa Somboon or Benjawon Wattangkura (Ben).
Financial update | Donation to the Project | ISB Tsunami Relief Network Background
