Education in the Highlands: Dormitories for Children in Mae Hong Son Thailand

Education in the Highlands- Dormitories for Children in Mae Hong Son Thailand

In order to meet the needs of children in one of the most remote parts of Thailand, namely Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, iCare Thailand Foundation will build a new dormitory to house 40 students at Piang Luang 11 school, so that children will no longer have to travel 9 km to school. As part of iCare Thailand Foundation’s project to provide access to education for children in the highlands, we have built and equipped 17 dormitories throughout northern Thailand, providing a safe conducive place for children to study, and overcome the obstacles of distance, which make education impossible for thousands of children. Over 2,300 students stay at dormitories set up and equipped by iCare Thailand, making it possible for them to achieve what was previously unimaginable, their dream of obtaining a education.

Building on the success of last year’s collaboration with Tae Jai, where we completed Dormitories in Mae Surin Noi, Um Da Nua, and renovated existing dormitories in Bahn Ba Dueng, we aim to add a addition dormitory to the existing network of dormitories. Piang Luang 11 school was selected as the location for dormitory 18, due to it’s outstanding track record with their existing 100 plus dormitory students, and proven academic excellence. 

Sing For Charity project 2021 is a gathering of Chula class mates from the class of 72, as well as classmates from Assumption, from the class of 69-71, along with Living Centre Co. Ltd, the founder of which has dedicated his time to making a difference in society and helping those in need through arranging activities to raise support for the building of the new dormitories, as well as supplying bicycles for those who have to travel for many hours to reach school. In addition, this project includes scholarships for the children to buy basic necessities, school supplies, and books, so that these children in remote parts of Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Sa Kaeo, can receive the support that they need. 

Working together with iCare Thailand Foundation, a Foundation devoted to helping children in need in Thailand, countless cases have been uncovered where children have little or no access to education, compared to the ease of access children in Bangkok and the larger provinces have. Because of numerous obstacles, such as the remoteness of their villages, the children who are committed to going to school have to walk up and down the mountainous countryside for many hours, impacting their education and general wellbeing.

Education is the key that will unlock the door to permanent change. In order to enable this, our goal is to reduce the obstacles hindering the children from receiving a education, namely that of travelling to school through the setting up of dormitories in 3 locations, as well as establishing bicycle stations in 3 locations, in order to make it easier for children to travel to and from school. The location we’ll be establishing this year’s new dormitory is as follows:

1. Piang Luang 11, Mae Saraing, Mae Hong Son.

Bicycle Distribution Project in 2 locations

For those students who don’t live in the farthest villages, and are not eligible for a place in the dormitories, the bike to school project enables children to access bicycles for the daily commute to and from school. Each 16 speed mountain bike costs 2,500 baht. The bicycles will be available in 2 clusters:

1. Than Ying Maneerat Boonang border police School, Bangsanook, Sangklaburi District, Kanchanaburi, 30 bicycles

2. Bahn Dahn, Chalermprakiat district, Nan, 20 bicycles

Project implementation plan/ Fundraising plan

1.  Arrange activities, such as singing for fundraising, or record video clips asking for support
2. Drawing art to be auctioned
3. Arrange other activities to help raise support
4. Donate funds raised
5. Participate in the hand over of the new dormitories, as well as the bicycles

Project benefits:

• Give your friends a chance in helping those in need in society, and making education for those in need possible
• Giving under privileged children a chance for a better future through education
• Lessening the burden of the public sector through your support
• 
  
• Using your time for a meaningful cause, particularly those who are retired.

Project Owner

Assumption classmates (2512-2514)

Engineering faculty of Chula class 56 (2515)

Employees of Living Center Co. Ltd. 

iCare Thailand Foundation

ICareThailand foundation