ISB TSUN A MI RELIEF NETWORK MEETS ITS INITI A L GO A L!
NEW SCHOOL BUILDINGS A RE GOING UP!
Barely five months after the tsunami waters receded, Thanks to the generosity of friends and partners worldwide, the ISB Tsunami Relief Network has met its initial goal of raising $US 800,000 for a classroom building at the site of the former Bang Sak School in Khao Lak, entirely destroyed by the giant waves. A team from ISB and Cendant Cares met recently with the Chairman of the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation, Khun Khwankeo Vajarodaya, to present checks to the Foundation for the classroom building the Network is building.
Construction of the new school is underway on a site overlooking the sea. The construction site is now humming with activity, with students studying in temporary classrooms, while buildings are going up nearby. In addition to our classroom building – an 80-meter long, three-story building containing 16 classrooms – there are three dormitories, a second classroom building, a computer center, a raised auditorium with room for open-air dining below, a kitchen, a nursing station, and a water tower. Construction on the dormitories began first so that the orphaned children would have permanent homes (now they are being cared for in the community by members of the teaching staff and other people). It is hoped that the school will be ready for inauguration by December 5, 2005, the King's Birthday. A ll buildings should be finished early in 2006.
The new school now has a name – Rajaprajanugroh 35 – making it one of 38 special schools the King's Foundation has founded throughout Thailand to help children in especially difficult circumstances. Rajaprajanugroh means mutual help and support (anugroh) between the King (Raja) and the people (Praja). The Rajaprajanugroh Foundation has, for the past 42 years, provided spontaneous emergency relief and support to the needy victims of natural disasters and epidemics, including fires, floods, cyclones, typhoons, and polio, cholera and A IDS. The fundamental principle of the foundation is to assist the victims of disasters and give them assurance that they can rebuild a better life after a tragedy. This name recognizes partnership between the King and the people and should bring comfort to the children who will study at Rajaprajanugroh 35 school.
Khun Khwankeo writes: "When the father was lost, the mother must survive and live well. The children, who are now orphaned, must have proper education befitting their potential to sustain themselves and their families. Rajaprajanugroh Schools, most of which are boarding schools, become ‘ A Home and a School' offering kindergarten, primary and secondary education, free of charge…The victims and the orphans have hope and peace of mind. Their futures are secured."
Students at the Rajaprajanugroh Schools are expected to uphold high standards in all ways: "Rajaprajanugroh students are taught by His Majesty the King to be morally upright, compassionate and kind-hearted to their friends and fellowmen, ready to repay the act of kindness with gratitude, disciplined, responsible and reliable, able to work and live with others in harmony, self-sufficient, self-reliant, able to fend for themselves and their families… and to be mindful and responsible members of society." These students will also have the opportunity to earn King's scholarships to university, even up to the PhD level.
Already 716 students have enrolled in the new school – 363 boys and 353 girls -- including 181 tsunami orphans. The eventual total enrollment of the school will be 1,000. There are 339 students in the temporary classrooms, while other students have been placed in other schools in the area for the time being. Seven full-time teachers already fill positions funded by the Ministry of Education, while ten additional teachers, two custodians and two cooks are working provisionally with salaries funded privately by a Member of Parliament. On-going support for their salaries is needed, pending approval by the Ministry of Education.
Principal A jarn Prasit Sathaphonchaturawit came to ISB for final assemblies on June 7. A ddressing the students of Elementary, Middle and High School, he thanked them for the support the Network has given to the students of the former Bang Sak school. He said "Because of your help, the children will have a school to study in, teachers to teach them, and lunches to eat. The contribution of students, teachers and parents will live in our memory and in the history of Rajaprajanugroh 35 School."
Each of us can feel proud of helping to make the children's dream come true.
Donations from generous individuals, schools and community groups are still coming into the ISB Tsunami Relief Network, along with cards and letters from children in schools elsewhere, which are sent directly to the school. A dditional funds will be used for equipment, supplies and other forms of special support for the school, according to plans still being formulated. Watch this site for regular updates and new photos of the construction.
For more information, please contact Usa Somboon or Benjawon Wattangkura (Ben).