WORLD VISION MAGAZINE
27th
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2013 YOUTH GATHER TOGETHER TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING
World Vision Magazine
SUTISA, A YOUNG BARISTA
FARMERS FIND OPPORTUNITY TO SURVIVE AND CUT LOSSES AMIDST CRISIS 1
CONTENTS
3 Message from the National Director 4 Events 9 WVFT End Trafficking in Persons project received award of excellence
10 Youth gather together to Stop Human Trafficking
12 The 2nd world citizen week
13 Learning English for a brighter future
14 Farmers find opportunity to
16 Get pek back to school
18 Sutisa, a young barista
survive and cut losses amidst crisis
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD:
Chitra Thumborisuth, Bunjongsek Supsopha, Wiwat Srithanangkun, Prasop Khunsithi, Janice Evidente EDITOR: Jessica Mauer | CONTRIBUTORS: Jessica Mauer, Duangporn Choktippattana, Paiwan Benjakul, Somluck Khamsaen, Prakit Lelaviwat, Titi Laohapinyojantra, Jay Mijares | ARTWORK: Wittawat Suttipongkeat | TRANSLATOR: Monrudi Chantawichianwat WORLD VISION magazine’s purpose is to inform and create better understanding of the work of World Vision Foundation of Thailand, and to report back to our many valuable supporters. For donors, child sponsors, churches, government agencies and organisations in the private sectors who have been supporting WVFT’s work, helping the needy, The Magazine also encourages all people who have not yet considered supporting our work, to take the rewarding step of joining WORLD VISION. All right reserved. Copyright © 2013 by World Vision Foundation of Thailand. PHOTO CREDIT: Front cover: Tawat Suprom Back cover: Prakit Lelaviwat READ MAGAZINE ONLINE OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT:
www.worldvision.or.th | E-mail: info@worldvision.or.th | Facebook: www.facebook.com/worldvisionthailand
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World Vision Magazine
MESSAGE FROM NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Dear Supporters and Friends, November is an important month for development and human rights. We celebrated the International Day for preventing the exploitation of environment in war and armed conflict on the 6th and the World Freedom Day on the 10th. This was followed by the Universal Children’s Day and the anniversary of the convention on the rights of the child on November 20th. The month closed with the international day for the elimination of violence against women on November 25. The Convention on the Rights of the Child highlights key issues that World Vision is focused on. WVFT works for children – for their freedom, protection, health, rights, education and their happiness. Our programmes, whether they are livelihood, advocacy, health, education or child sponsorship, all boil down to child well-being. November is a month to celebrate freedom and children. It is a time to reflect how far we have come and how much further we need to go. WVFT continues to work towards ensuring every child in Thailand is free from exploitation and harm, is protected in a safe and nurturing environment including having access to everything they need to grow up healthy, happy and educated. In our last 2013 magazine issue, we look at our young leaders, global citizens, companies and individuals who continue to work together with WVFT to benefit Thai children and create a better future. It is refreshing to look back on all that you have done to assist us in this mission. We have grown together and improved the rights and well-being of children throughout Thailand with one heart. I thank you for your continuous support. Chitra Thumborisuth National Director
World Vision Magazine
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EVENTS
FUNDING CHILDREN’S DREAMS Many people are passionate about providing education oppor tunities for underprivileged children. World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) strives to uplift the well-being of children through sustainable changes. Among these initiatives is the “Dream Child Project”, which presents a new avenue for donors to assist disadvantaged children nationwide escape poverty. The “Dream Child Project” focuses on sustainable financial management for donors. Any donation made to this project will be set aside into a fund; WVFT will use only the interest to help underprivileged local children through its various projects. The principal, in the meantime, remains safely protected and untouched in the fund. Recently the “Dream Child Project” received its first donation of 100,000 Baht. The project’s debut donor comments, “I’m keen for WVFT to manage my donation as long as it benefits the children’s education, which will help them survive. Education is a capital which is crucial to your livelihood and it can’t be taken from you. If you have the money but no knowledge capital, it is futile. But with education, you can do anything. That’s why children should study as much as they can.” The “Dream Child Project” remains in need of financial support. Many more children are waiting for donations that will transform their dreams into reality. To support the “Dream Child Project”, please contact World Vision Foundation of Thailand at 0-2381-8863-5.
A WVFT’s child sponsor since 1998, Mr Arnon Simakulthorn has recently donated 100,000 Baht to the “Dream Child Project”.
GTH FILM LABEL ENDORSES BREAKFAST FOR KIDS
GMM Tai Hub Limited (GTH) represented by its upand-coming actor, Peach Pachara Chirathivat, donated 52,260.75 Baht to World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) at the GTH head office on 6 September, 2013. This sum of money is raised through the “GTH 1 Gift 1 Give Breakfast for Kids” project. Under this initiative, GTH allocates parts of the proceeds from the sales of its film merchandises to WVFT’s “Breakfast for Kids” project. For three years, WVFT has been giving malnourished children in seven provinces of Thailand healthy morning meals. The goal is to provide adequate nutrition for children ages 2-6 years old. In the last two years, GTH has organised numerous charity events with WVFT. The Thai film label has brought WVFT’s sponsored children to concerts, fun fairs and more activities. GTH has continuously donated parts of the proceeds from its movies and special activities to help impoverished children through WVFT.
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World Vision Magazine
EVENTS
PAYING IT FORWARD TO BACHELOR DEGREE STUDENTS
The Master’s Degree Programme in Marketing (MIM) students from Thammasat University donated 100,000 Baht to World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) at its national office on 20 August, 2013. Mr Poramin Tanwattana, Mr Warut Bamrungsuntorn, Ms Saifon Hanchaikul and Mr Piyapoj Rojanasopondist represented the 25th class of MIM students (MIM-25) in handing the donation to Dr Bunjongsek Supsopha, WVFT’s Marketing & Fundraising Director. The endeavour is part of the students’ activity called ‘Pay It Forward’.
MIM-25’s contribution goes to the ‘Bachelor Degree Programme’, a WVFT project that gives selected students scholarships to pursue their undergraduate degree. Mr Warut explains, “on graduation day, students usually receive a lot of congratulatory flowers and gifts. ‘Pay It Forward’ asks well-wishers to give their money to charity instead of spending it on these gifts.” “We raised this money from the friends and relatives of our 70 classmates,” Ms Saifon said. “We spread the word that we are not accepting gifts this year, instead we suggested that they donate to charity.” ‘Pay It Forward’ was first launched by the previous MIM class. This year, the MIM-25 chose to donate to WVFT as some of their friends are existing WVFT sponsors. This group of Thammasat students wants to help others complete their tertiary education. “Education is the most valuable investment because it stays with you forever. The people who have the opportunity to study should make the most out of it and pay it forward to others,” Mr Poramin said. “I hope this activity will be disseminated to a wider audience and on a larger scale as anyone can do it.”
DENSO COMMITS TO CREATING SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD FOR COMMUNITIES Denso Group, the manufacturer and supplier of automotive components, donated 500,000 Baht to World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT). The donation is for WVFT’s “Knowledge for Livelihood Development Project” which provides training and equipment for garment, straw mushroom cultivation, batik and pig raising groups. The project will create sustainable livelihood for more than 87 families living in WVFT’s project area of Panatnakom district, Chonburi province.
World Vision Magazine
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EVENTS
ESSO DONATES FOR CHILDREN’S BREAKFAST Mr Mongkolnimit Auacherdkul, Director of Esso (Thailand) PCL donated 100,000 Baht to World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) through Dr Bunjongsek Supsopha, WVFT’s Marketing and Fundraising Director. The handover ceremony took place at Esso head office on 12 September, 2013. The donation is going to WVFT’s “Breakfast for Kids” project, which provides nutritious morning meals to children ages 2-6 in seven provinces of Thailand. “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. From my research, I found that skipping breakfast has an adverse effect on the body’s metabolism,” Mr Mongkolnimit notes. “Children may not see the benefit of eating breakfast in the short run, but it will aid their development continuously in the medium and long run.” “World Vision is a reputable organisation and it operates in many countries worldwide. It is transparent and is very credible,” he added. “We are proud to work with WVFT for the first time. I hope for Esso’s contribution to really impact communities and children.”
TREE-PLANTING WITH LOVE UPS Parcel Delivery Service Ltd planted 1,500 trees with World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) at Baan Pa Dang Tai in Pa Dang sub-district, Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi province on 9 June, 2013. Fifty UPS employees travelled to Ban Pa Dang Tai to kick start the reforestation initiative. Mrs Nardnada Kusalanan, Human Resources Manager at UPS Thailand stated, “In honour of UPS’s 105th year of service, we have set up a reforestation project to plant 1,000,000 trees globally. In Thailand we plan to grow 1,500 trees, which is the highest number among the UPS companies in Southeast Asia. Despite our small role, we hope to spark society’s interest in environmental protection.” Mr Amnat Chanprasert, UPS Thailand’s Inside Sales
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Executive explained, “UPS’s work involves transportation of cargo by cars, airplanes and ships. Since these activities emit carbon dioxide, our reforestation project is designed to maintain environmental balance. Our contribution today will improve the ecosystem in the community.” Twenty-nine students in Grade 11 from Pa Dang Wittaya School volunteered to help out. “The students’ participation in this activity will raise awareness among youth to love their own community. They also learned how to plant trees,” said Siratchan Iadthongso, the school’s biology teacher. Peung, one of the student volunteers said, “My friends and I came to plant the trees for our home and community. It’s a good way to spend our time productively during our holidays as well as exercise and gain new knowledge.” World Vision Magazine
EVENTS
A DROP OF GENEROSITY FOR THE KIDS Isuzu Ung Nguan Tai Group recently travelled to Mukdahan province to launch the project “Water Resource Development for Consumption and Lunch Programme” at Ban Kang Nang School represented by its director, Mr Siripong Piyavibulkul. Ban Kang Nang School is located in World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT)’s project area. Attending the event were Isuzu UNT Group’s Vice President, Ms Sauwanit Pitaksith, Assistant Managing Director, Ms Thantip Leevutinun and Marketing Manager, Pattaraporn Pitaksith accompanied by WVFT’s Marketing & Fundraising Director, Dr Bunjongsek Supsopha. The project is funded by Isuzu UNT Group to give the children and their communities a clean water supply. Ms Pattaraporn said, “Isuzu UNT Group is currently pursuing the Power of Sharing project World Vision Magazine
initiated by Mr Methee Pitaksith, the company’s President. The project is passed to my generation with the aim of helping children in remote areas. It is a collaborative effort between the company’s executives, staff and patrons. These charitable individuals are volunteering to help the children by contributing to this ongoing activity.” At the event, every student received learning materials and spor ts equipment. The group also donated medical supplies to the school. Ms Pattaraporn shared her wisdom with the children. “Although we are far apart, we are connected emotionally. My advice is for you to be good to your father and mother and listen to your teachers’ words. Since we are Thais, we must love our home country. Most importantly of all, stay away from drugs,” she said.
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EVENTS
AMADEUS BRINGS BIG SMILES TO CHILDREN Executives and employees from Thai-Amadeus Asia Limited, the leading Global Distribution System (GDS) provider joined World Vision Foundation of Thailand (WVFT) in organising ‘Smile Fulfilling Camp’ on August 3-4 for 50 sponsored children from WVFT’s Kangkrajan project area. On the first day of the camp, the children fed sheep at a Swiss sheep farm in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi and took a tour in a horse’s carriage. They then visited Phra Ram Ratchaniwet (Ban Puen Palace) where the students were impressed by King Rama V’s architectural style. The day ended with a visit to Phra Nakhon Khiri Palace (Khao Wang), a historical site where they participated in more games. Santorini Amusement Park was the highlight of the second day. Loving the noise, food and thrilling rides, the park was a fun experience for all ages. “I’m very happy to be able to join this outing and broaden my horizons. I got to meet and talk to foreigners, too. I have not joined a camp since I was in grade 1. These two days have been
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a great delight. Thank you very much,” Song, a grade 4 student in Chonlapratan Kangkrajan School expressed. Mr Chawin Nitchaphanit (Ping), representative from Thai-Amadeus Asia Limited shared his own observations. “I’m glad to see children smiling and excited about going to various places. Many children do not have opportunities to go on outings. The children must be overjoyed that they can come out and widen their experiences and have people care for them. I hope that this activity will encourage them in their education and daily lives.” “I feel that giving makes me happy. When I see children having such a fun time, I’m ecstatic. The children received new experiences that might help them to express themselves better and be more confident. Talking to and doing activities with foreigners is a good opportunity for them,” Ms Surussa Chanachaichaloemwong (Joong), representative from Thai-Amadeus Asia Limited shared. In addition to the knowledge and fun that the children gained from this excursion, Amadeus also donated school supplies to them. World Vision Magazine
ADVOCACY
END TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS PROJECT RECEIVED AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PREVENTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING By Jessica Mauer
TRAINING FOR WATCHDOG VOLUNTEER NETWORK ON CHILD SEX TOURISM By Paiwan Benjakul
The Ministry of Tourism appointed Chiang Mai University to facilitate training on ‘Watchdog volunteer network on child sex tourism’ for employees working in the tourism industry, government and nongovernmental sector, schools and associated public networks. The purpose of the training is to keep them informed and aware of the need for protection of children in tourist areas specifically in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. WVFT par ticipated in the 4th training for watchdog volunteer network on child sex tourism organized by the Department of Tourism and Chiang Mai University in Phuket on 28 August 2013. WVFT’s Hope for Children in Crisis project in Phuket, which helps at-risk children in Patong attended the training together with 35 other network participants.
World Vision Magazine
Ever since the Thai gover nment announced human trafficking as a national agenda in 2003, World Vision Foundation of Thailand has responded by working in six provinces in anti-human trafficking. On August 30, 2013, WVFT was recognized for its progress by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and received an award for excellence in preventing human trafficking. WVFT National Director Khun Chitra Thumborisuth accepted the award. “WVFT is very proud of what we have accomplished to receive this award. The impact we have on vulnerable children, especially children at risk of exploitation is a real achievement.” said Khun Chitra. WVFT anti-human trafficking project focuses on atrisk individuals especially migrant workers. The project achievements include developing curriculum, materials and provide training to migrant workers as well as community leaders to become watchdog volunteers in their community. The watchdog volunteers use their training to set up a community network to protect children. At least 60,000 people have already received materials on anti-human trafficking and a network of 2,000 volunteers has been set up.
Capacity building for youth to educate them on human trafficking problem, life skills and be on the alert is a large part of WVFT anti-human trafficking project. We motivate youth to attend Mekong Youth Forum and workshops where they can express their views on human trafficking to The Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking (COMMIT) leaders and government officials. At least 5,000 youth have participated in antihuman trafficking activities. “I am very proud of our Prevention team as well as all field staff for their hard work and dedication,” says John Lucchi— National Advocacy Coordinator of WVFT.
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บอกเล่าผ่านเรื่อง
YOUTH GATHER TOGETHER
TO STOP
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Youth from six countries produced materials to raise awareness of human trafficking to be used in their home countries “Youth are the core element in country development.” Vo Ba Cong from Vietnam hit it home when asked why NGOs such as World Vision Foundation of Thailand, Save the Children and MTV Exit work together with youth to create awareness and assist in ending human trafficking. At the Mekong Youth Forum on August 6-9, youth from six countries of the Mekong Region gathered in Chiang Rai to discuss the causes, effects and stories of human trafficking in the region. Mapping out high-risk areas and the traffic between the region highlighted many commonalities between the countries in the region. “The Mekong countries are all connected- which is one of the reasons we are all here together. Trafficking crosses our mutual borders; it cannot be solved by one country. It is not the crossing of a border or forcing someone to migrate that makes someone trafficked- it is the exploitation. Exploitation is the main point - not how they were moved or
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trafficked. Human trafficking can happen at the origin, during transit, and at the destination.” John Whan Yoon World Vision’s Regional Project Manager of End Trafficking in Persons (ETIP) explained to the participants. Even through situations differ depending on the country of origin, all agreed that the primary targets of exploitation are those living in extreme poverty looking for a better life, unaware of the risk of exploitation, not knowing their rights and where to go for help. One of the Burmese participants, who asked to be anonymous worried there may be backlash for speaking his mind, explained that although the people of Myanmar are commonly trafficked, he
By Jessica Mauer
Youth analysing human trafficking through Myanmar
World Vision Magazine
ADVOCACY
If people know the risk and think carefully before they migrate, less people will be at risk of exploitation.
Soulida explains high risk areas in her home country, Laos
Key Messages from all 6 countries
Myanmar stop modern day slavery
didn’t even know what human trafficking meant or existed until he watched ‘Taken’, a Hollywood movie. Trafficking was never discussed in his community. People just seemed to move away and disappear. Hungry for knowledge, he soon sought out documentaries on human trafficking and exploitation. As long as there is a demand for cheap labour, easy adoption, sex services, and a large profit to be made, trafficking will continue to exist in the region. A strong 15 year old, Soulida, expressed the need to work together to raise awareness, “trafficking is a real issue for youth in Laos. If people know the risk and think carefully before they migrate, less people will be at risk of exploitation. Make sure you always keep your passport safe, have the correct work permit, know your rights, discuss with those you trust and make sure you know the working and living conditions before you decide.” Over the course of four days, many of which were over 12 hours packed of activities, youth gained the skills to implement their own awareness campaigns and identify key advocacy messages which will be used for implementing communitybased campaigns and shared with the government officials. Soulida, made a promise to the participants “I will use the knowledge I gained from this forum to raise awareness through arts, drama and video to teach youth in my community the risks they face.”
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World Vision’s John Whan Yoon shows the connection between Mekong Countries in regards to trafficking World Vision Magazine
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SPONSORSHIP FEATURE
THE 2ND WORLD CITIZEN WEEK CREATE A BEAUTIFUL WORLD WITH OUR HANDS By Somluck Khamsaen
T
he duty of every person, regardless of gender or age, is to be a quality citizen of our national and global society. There should be no more of the ‘I am only a child’ mentality. Garbage, corruption, global warming, air pollution, we all need to join together to help improve our country, community and the world. To celebrate the 2nd world citizen week this year, Taiwanese youth were invited to engage in activities with Thai youth in Mae Salong ADP, Chiang Rai. This activity provided opportunities for youth to learn real life experiences, enhance their life and leadership skills, understand what their citizenship meant and improve their hometown. Seventeen Taiwan high school students and youth from Mae Fa Luang district helped to build a vegetable garden, make pig and chicken feed, renovate and paint a school dining hall, build toilets and a children’s playground in Ban Ma Hin Kong child development centre. They also built a check dam in Ban Doi San Jai School to care for the Mae Fa Luang crab habitat. Mrs Chitra Thumborisuth, WFVT National Director, spoke about the importance of children being active global citizens “In giving them an opportunity to think, children and youth form a group to discuss social problems close at hand and write a project proposal. In many projects, adults have noted the ideas made by children have helped a lot to improve community problems.”
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World Vision Magazine
SPONSORSHIP FEATURE
LEARNING ENGLISH FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE By Sunjuli Kunwar (guest writer from World Vision Nepal)
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n English camp was organised for the sponsored children of Lam Pang Province, Northern Thailand to enhance their English.Waraporn, a 12 year old girl in grade six explained the benefits of attending WVFT’s English camp “the teacher in my school simply writes on the board and we have to copy that, but it is very different here, through action songs and games the lessons are fun and interesting.” Various activities including songs, dance, games, drawing, short stories were used to teach prepositions, vocabulary, tenses, counting, tongue twister, unscramble words, making words, opposite words, finding words, puzzles, etc. 105 children who took par t in the camp from August 26-28 at the World Vision Development Centre in Chiang Rai, were from grades 4-6 from six different schools. Anyamanee, 12 years old, explains “We have English classes in school four days a week for one hour, but here we are learning just English the whole day. This has helped me understand much more.” Chidchanapong, 12, wants to improve his English
so that he can communicate with foreigners. He believes it is very important to know English since it is an international language and because Thailand is going to be in the ASEAN Economic Community in two years. “I am lucky that I am getting to learn new things in the camp, like I knew from 1-100 but never knew about millions and trillions. The best action song for me was about prepositions in, on, by.” Overjoyed he adds, “we had great fun, more learning, good food, good sleep and had a chance to make many new friends.” Chantanat Chuiklad, the English Programme teacher of the camp, shared that children progress more in English after joining the camp, as they showed more interest and intent to learn which helps them to absorb more.“The teaching techniques we use are child-friendly and children love to learn through songs not the traditional way as in school. Many of them contact me later for English materials. These children are fast and keen learners and that pushes me to teach them more,” she expressed.
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ENGLISH CAMP
World Vision Magazine
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THAILAND:
FARMERS FIND OPPORTUNITY TO SURVIVE AND CUT LOSSES AMIDST CRISIS By Jay Mijares
SPONSORSHIP FEATURE There is a long list about the correct use of the Chinese word 危机(wei ji) or crisis if one happens to search it online. One explanation favors towards crisis as ‘danger and opportunity combined,’ a phenomenon that is being practiced by flood-affected farmers in Sa Kaeo. The slow onset of flooding which started in September 17 affected 1,146,237 rai or over 183,000 hectares of farmlands in the North East, East and Central Thailand. This converts to a huge loss of harvest this season for the farmers. Though 50% of farmers in Sa Kaeo are fighting back. Armed with their tractors, they ply the streets of Aranyaprathet and nearby villages to earn an alternative livelihood. With engines roaring, the tractors picked up passengers trying to retain a sense of normalcy as they go about town. “They ask for 20-40 baht per passenger, depending on the distance,” says Sangah Seubtrakoon. Half of the farming population in the province does not have tractors and are renting or using reliable buffalos for the usual tasks in the field. One of them is Sa Ngiam, 55, his family was staying in a boat tied to a tree along the road during the day. They shared the boat with two families strategically placing it beside a busy flooded street. When survival kits were received, they went home to sleep on a makeshift bedroom on the second floor since the flood inside their house is still over 6 feet deep. “There is no hope of salvaging any rice on our farm it’s all damaged.” Sa Ngiam spent a total of 60,000 baht to till a 20 rai rented farm. The flood water is not drying anytime soon. While danger is imminent, the crisis still brings another glimmer of hope. Opportunities to help poor farmers like Sa Ngiam are available. WVFT has on-going relief operations in the areas to help at least 15,485 people affected. WVFT relief teams provided over 10,688 relief kits of rice, canned goods, noodles, and hygiene packs. WVFT worked with the community to set up a village kitchen that delivered over 4,757 hot meals. Over 40 children of the farmer community also received psychosocial intervention through the Child Friendly Spaces. Rehabilitation will focus on livelihood and reconstruction after the relief phase is completed. Indeed, crisis brings danger to the life, assets, and livelihood of affected people but it also offers chances to look for survival alternatives and opportunities to bring hope to the distraught spirit - a piece of wei ji in action.
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World Vision Magazine
Families with tractors seized the opportunity to help others and also earn.
Sangiem (right) and family do not have a tractor to use. They have to sit in a boat with other families waiting for relief kits.
WVFT staff delivers relief kits in a boat to flood-affected villagers marooned in their homes.
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Parts of Pek’s house was destroyed by the floods.
“I’m afraid that the floodwaters Teacher Sinien describes the condition Damaged school fence. will come again.”- Pek of the library.
Teacher Somwong shows the damage inside the school.
GET PEK BACK TO SCHOOL, REDEEM A BLEAK FUTURE “It may take us more than two years to rebuild what we lost.” says Mr. Somwong Moolasaut, Pek’s Vice Principal
P
ek, 7, and his brother Pang, 8, both sponsored children, walk to primary school every day. They live with their grandmother in Surin province. Their mother was forced to work in a factory in Bangkok after they were abandoned by their father. When their village was inundated by rain water in September, the brothers’ way of life was harshly changed once more. Two typhoons affected the weather system and brought an unusual amount of rain in the Northeast – a phenomenon that has not existed in 40 years according to villagers. The force of the raging water barged into homes. “Look, it stripped away a big chunk of the house’s foundation,” quipped Pek’s grandmother. The flood created a creek right beside their home. With a blank stare, Pek uttered, “I am afraid of another flood coming.” Pek’s school was closed after the flood ravaged around 1.5 M baht worth of books, computers, tables, shelves, chairs and infrastructures like the bridge
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By Jay Mijares
and perimeter fence. Huge piles of debris scattered the grounds. Students came to clean up the mess. Two boys were hanging out with the Vice Principal, Mr. Somwong Moolasaut, drying a fan and other electrical appliances in the shade. Moolasaut shared, “it may take more than two years to rebuild what we lost.” Moolasaut brought our WVFT team to the school’s library. Over 7,000 books were damaged according to Senion Panyarotes, the school librarian. As she showed the team around, she stopped in one corner and tried to pull a book which was drenched and stuck to the shelf. She said, “here try it,” with the glow from her eyes now lost in oblivion, she asked me to try to pull some of the books in one row which were already glued tightly together. She lamented, “I love these books. Now we don’t know how the children will have access to all the learning materials that we once had.” Over 550 s tudents from Kindergarten to Grade 12 were robbed of their learning potentialy as they become deprived of books and learning
aids. A big challenge lies in their path since the connecting bridge to their school was eaten away by the flashflood. Pek and Pang will have to wake up much earlier than usual and walk around-about four kilometres farther in order to beat the school bell once the school reopens. All over Thailand, 454 schools were damaged by floods with almost the same extent as the 2011 flooding. These schools were mostly situated in the East, Central, and Nor theast communities where hard rain was a daily grind in September and October. Yet a glimmer of hope remains - the Royal Thai government, the civil society, and WVFT are working to rebuild the damage. WVFT invites partners and groups to assist with our school and house rehabilitation project. It will take 2.75 M baht to rebuild what has been lost throughout the countr y. To learn more about how you can help, visit w w w . w o r l d v i s i o n . o r. t h o r c a l l 0 2381 8863 to 5 ext. 141-144.
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World Vision Magazine
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BRING BACK HAPPY SMILES
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Chompoo is a little girl who has endured a harsh tragedy. She witnessed how her mother’s dead body was removed from their house. Since then she barely smiles, talks or plays with anyone. Her eyes reflect her yearning for her mother, along with the fear that her father won’t return home from his dangerous job.
On top of the trouble finding work and food, the children are often sick due to lack of nutritious food. Chompoo is constantly in fear that something might happen to her father while at work. “I don’t want my dad to go to work because I’m afraid that he will not return. He is all I have left.”
TODAY we want to invite you to tell people around you to help children like Chompoo eat get nutritious meals, an education, school materials and be protected. What you share can help change and improve the life of a child. Please decide to sponsor at least one child for only 20 Baht a day or 600 Baht a month. You can help to bring back happy smiles to children like Chompoo again.
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Yao, Chamoo’s father, tries to hide his sorrow from his children. He earns a small wage as a construction labourer - not enough to cover the family’s expenses every month. He lives from hand to mouth and is overcome with despair when his children do not have enough to eat. “When one job is finished, I don’t know what I will do next.” He cannot do anything but hold back his tears of pain alone.
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Account Number
Thonglor Ekamai Ekamai Ekamai Sukhumvit 63 Thonglor Ekamai
206-0-43600-9 053-1-10632-2 059-2-40974-7 078-2-00965-5 361-1-02033-3 801-1-07026-4 152-2-00300-1
Money transfer from ......................................................................... Branch Date of money transfer...................................................................................
After the Money transfer, please send a copy of your money transfer together with this reply form to WVFT via postal mail to the address below or via fax at 0-2711-4100 to 2.We will send you a receipt to confirm your payment afterwards.
Thank you. WVFT cannot send you a receipt if we do not have a copy of your money transfer and reply form.
WVFT is the 59th humanitarian organisation under the declaration of the Ministry of Finance.Your donation is tax deductible yearly according to the law.
Sutisa (left), Ms Suwanan, her older sister (middle) and Saichon (right) in their school coffee shop.
SUTISA, A YOUNG BARISTA By Somluck Khamsaen
T
hirteen-year-old, Sutisa makes a mean latte. She knows exactly how to roast the beans, use the latte machine, pour the perfect amount and foam the milk.And it doesn’t stop there. Sutisa knows how to make cappuccinos, espressos, green tea, chocolate milk and americanos. She and many of her classmates are perfecting the art of making the best coffee through a WVFT programme. A Grade 7 student, Sutisa comes from a remote area in the North of Thailand. Mountains, a river and small rice fields surround the place. In the past, most of the students at Sutisa’s school often missed classes
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as they had to work to help parents in the rice fields. The children transplanted rice seedlings, pulled weeds and, during harvest, helped cut and stack the rice stalks. The families faced a big challenge as they did not have enough money and often asked their children to stay home from school to help them work on the farm so they have enough food to eat. WVFT supported the school to manage a new model of education. From Grade 5 to Grade 9 students learn extra life skills every Thursday. They can enrol in the seven professional clubs such as Thai massage, young guides, hotel and home stay service, music, dancing, World Vision Magazine
bamboo weaving, and, in Sutisa’s case, Thai sweet and coffee club. The collaboration with the school, parents, and the community leaders have change the economic situation for families. The students receive 3,000-5,000 baht (USD =100-166) income per month by selling their products. Now, the students have the opportunity to continue studying more often, and help their families earn money. They also have gained the skills to build their own small business at home in the future. This new model of education has been successful. The quality of life has improved as they give all the money to their parents. WVFT gives them hope towards their future education.
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World Vision Magazine
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our vision for every child, life in all its fullness: our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.
We are Christian. We are committed to the poor. We value people. We are stewards. We are partners. We are responsive.
World Vision Foundation of Thailand 582/18-22 Sukhumvit 63, Klongton-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel. +66 (0) 2381-8863 to 5 Fax. +66 (0) 2711-4100 to 2
info@worldvision.or.th 20
www.worldvision.or.th ภ นิ มิ ต Worldวารสารศุ Vision Magazine