REALISATIONS 2007

This school is situated at Tambon Pamanow Baanfang, Khon Kaen at 42 km from the centre of Khon Kaen and 22 km from the district of Baanfang. Established since 1st June 1939 and covers 25600 m2.

In 2000 the state stopped to support this school. The parents had to bring their children to other schools at 4 to 6 km distance. This situation brought complex problems of transportation to the new school.

The villagers next to the old school continued to keep the place in order. They built an enclosure by their own means. Later on, the state transformed the place into an infant school  for 30 children aged 3 to 6 years old.

On 2nd August 2005 the state authorized the construction of a new building and sent two teachers. The villagers were asked to clean the buildings as well as the surroundings.

During the not utilized period the buildings had deteriorated. Villagers as well as teachers contributed money for its keeping up. This money had served equally to partially finance :

the construction of a school building, a house for the teachers, toilets, and a playing ground.

The children’s parents work in the rice fields from December through April. At the end of the season they look for work in the surrounding towns. The children are left with the elder population remaining in the villages.

There are about 400 families who send their children to this school. Each family earns yearly about Baht 19000, which is equivalent to CHF 650.

In 2007 the school places 51 pupils of 1st and 2nd grade,  in 6 classes. There is a teacher for the three first classes, one teacher for the 4th and 6th class and a male teacher for the 5th class.

The pupils come from very poor families which need help and presently 14 children do not have their normal weight and suffering from rickets. 

During her travel in December 2007 and January 2008 the Diichai Association through her president Mrs Jacqueline Kocher has done a support mission at the school Phong Phi Yo 1. This school had been mentioned by the director of the university of Khon Kaen, Mr. Somnuk Pinthong.

This school, situated at M.Paak Pouay, Tambon Eungniyam, Ampeu Meuang Djangwad, at 20 km of Khong Kaen, takes care of 35 pupils, girls and boys aged average 8 years. These children are all followed by a single educator and a help.

Near the town, the professional hope of these growing children requires an adaptation to the new technologies. In view of this the state had put on disposal an old computer – totally no adapted for the education.  In furnishing 3 simple but recent computers as well as a printer, Diichai takes up the stand and encourages the motivated children fond of information systems. Equally colour pencils from Caran d’Ache were distributed to these children.

Here again we find among these children some true « conscious cases » as regards health and nutritional state. Three children were relieved from paying the annual fees for one year.

A big problem remains to be solved which has not yet been addressed. The rain water abundant through the rain period of August through October increases dangerously. During this period the children can hardly go to school as the school rooms are inundated. This situation was known at the time of the construction  - built on pillars of 1 m length only. Before the rain had not mounted as high as now. At this time and period the pillars are highly corroded and the building becomes unwholesome and dangerous.

To find a solution to this situation it is being considered to refurbish completely the building on new concrete pillars of 3,5 meters length. The construction site will follow these steps : tearing down the building, putting building materials away for re-use, installation of 24 pillars of concrete, using the recycled materials  and installing new windows and doors and stair-cases. To finish up the house will be painted and treated against termites. The total amount will be something like CHF 11,000 (supplies and workmanship).

Diichai is well intended to finance this effort through the help of its donators, so that the school will be finished at the start of the raining season in August.

The director of the university of Khon Kaen told Mrs Jacqueline Kocher already in 2006 about a young bright Thai student  whose parents work in the rice-fields of north-eastern Thailand – very poor indeed – and who cannot afford the schooling charges at the university.

This young 20 year old Thai, Mr Karun Prapakhon, came by bus from his home village and followed the courses for 3 months. His budget didn’t allow him to eat, the bus fare taking up all his money.

In 2006 Mrs Jacqueline Kocher visited this young student who had prepared a detailed curriculum vitae and who was very bright according to the sayings of the teachers. She helped him financially so that he could continue his courses and at a review in December 2007/January 2008 the Diichai Association sponsored him so to contine his education.

Karun is still slim for his budget is tight but his eyes glance full of joy at the idea that he can continue his education. Two years of study had been paid for and in 3 years time he will obtain his university diploma.