Help Educate Children Living in Poverty inThailand

Dear Supporters,

This quarter we started the new decade with great impact on both our healthcare and teaching programs. The momentum was building for a great year ahead. Then unfortunately the world was hit by the global pandemic COVID-19. This has hit all areas hard. 

The first quarter of the year is always a busy one. The schools are all preparing for exams and the new year means new resolutions for the community and their health regimes. 

Teaching Impact – We have been building our relationship with Ban Nam Khem school for many years. This academic year we taught the younger students, this was challenging yet extremely rewarding. Jolly Phonics was a good success, thanks to the donations from the trust we can roll out the program and increase our impact. To show the respect and trust that the school has for us, they have given GVI a classroom in the school. This enables us to increase our teaching time with smaller groups of students. This will also give us the opportunity to work with the teachers, ensuring they are skilled in delivering Jolly Phonics. We need many different resources for this area, we will keep you updated as to the progress and the help we need once the schools resume.

New Light Foundation (CDC) was focused on preparing for the exams in the second month of this quarter. For year 9 the exams are particularly important as a pass means that they can continue their education in Myanmar. All the future education is taught in English so our role in preparing them for this is crucial. The English exam consists of three parts, written, oral and aural. 100% pass rate was achieved in years 8 & 9, 6 & 7 achieved over 85%, year 5 (their first year of English) saw over 60% of students pass. These results are achieved with your help, with new equipment we are striving for better results every year. 

GVI have been teaching at CDC for over 5 years, this means that the students graduating this year have worked with GVI throughout their studies. To mark the celebration we arranged the first every Ban Nam Khem end of year graduation prom. We organized a fundraiser and over $550 was raised. Preparation went well and everything was organized, students and teachers were all looking forward to celebrating the end of school and excellent results. Two days prior to the event all schools were closed due to COVID-19. This meant that we were unable to hold the prom, most of the resources have been kept for when the schools reopen and we will try to organize the event for the students that remain in the village. 

We have a number of new resorts under construction in the village, this brings new opportunities for the community. As they are 5* resorts we need to help prepare for the influx of visitors. After numerous attempts of engaging the community in English class we have had a breakthrough, with both the resorts and the community asking for our help. We have started classes twice a week focused on hospitality English for local community members, attendance was good with varying levels of English. Again due to COVID-19 lessons are currently on hold.  

Healthcare Impact -   due to the positive feedback we have received from the community regarding our health checks we have expanding this service. New venues were trialed including a nearby local market, the response was great, with lots of positive feedback.  Thanks to the trust donations we were able to use our contactless thermometer ensuring safety before restrictions were put in place for COVID-19. We also held workshops on dental hygiene, we gave away toothbrushes and toothpaste to all ages of the community. 

As part of the response to COVID-19 the village has set up a checkpoint to check everyone’s temperature as they enter the village. Initially they didn’t have the equipment needed, thanks to your donations we were able to lend them what they needed.  

This quarter has seen the start of a global pandemic, with borders closing along with international travel. South East Asia were one of the first areas affected by the virus, I am pleased to confirm that to date our community has stayed COVID-19 free. The community is working hard to maintain this record with the introduction of the checkpoint, handwashing facilities installed around the village and information in Thai and Burmese. 

All of the current work we are doing has stopped until the restrictions have eased, and international travel is safe. Until then we are remaining in the village to help with different projects as and when needed. 

Your donations are needed now as much as ever, we want to help the community survive the pandemic and resume projects as soon as we can. Please stay safe.   

With Gratitude,

Phang Nga Community