Construction at Rajaprachanagroh School 35 is almost complete. The library and the eight dormitories are at the final stages. One of the teacher housing facilities is finished and teachers will move in soon. Another teacher dorm is in construction and there are plans to build a hotel training center. The administration offices, located on the ground floor of the ISB Network building, are also under construction.
The students are happily established in their routines. Although the enrollment vacillates there seems to be consistently 800 students at the school at one time. Walking by the classrooms, students are busy reading, writing and listening. R35 has successfully transitioned from a place where students were recovering from the tsunami to a functioning, productive school.
The ESL Volunteer program has become a model for the region. The principal, K. Prasit and his assistant, K. Sasima (Jan) are very proud of the progress of their students. When compared to other schools in the region, the administrators have noted that the R35 students are comfortable presenting information, communicating with foreigners and other Thais outside of their school community. Although these students are emerging English speakers, their pronunciation of the English language is clear and understandable. The students are enthusiastic about learning English and see that this skill is important in their future development. Steps are now being taken to integrate the program into the R35 School to ensure long-term success.
This fall The ISB Network supported numerous projects:
COMPLETED PROJECTS
- A facility for students to wash their own dishes.
- A purified drinking water system.
- A language laboratory used by the English, Thai and Music programs.
- Two copy machines have been donated.
- Arranged and supported one operation for an orphan with fused fingers.
PROJECTS IN PROGRESS
- The construction of the administration offices.
- A new durable playground system for students from the ages 5 to 10.