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Our
replies to some questions you might have:
Why
Thailand?
Because there are genuine needs that can be easily resolved at low
cost, because the schools are well run and will use donations to the best
effects and most importantly because we have good contacts with our Thai'Farang
coordinators in the village. Other neighboring countries may be poorer
but the cost of setting up and infrastructure for giving assistance would
be higher.
Please contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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But
when you visit Bangkok, the shopping malls make it look like a relatively
wealthy country?
Bangkok's shopping malls are among the glossiest in the world but
they are essentially a tourist trap. There are some wealthy Thais who
shop there too, but that doesn't mean that every Thai is rich. In recent
years the country has enjoyed strong economic growth with cycles of boom
and bust and instability and change means that while a few get richer,
others get poorer. Those in the countryside find that the things they
need get more expensive while their agricultural products become less
competitive on international markets. The countryside can now no longer
provide people with a living and many have to find low paid jobs in the
cities. The construction workers who build the shopping malls and the
girls who clean them are generally rural migrants. Paid around 4,000 baht
(approximately US$120) a month, this is hardly enough for one person to
survive on, let alone support the whole family back home. There is ostentatious
wealth in Bangkok but it may be a partial cause of poverty in the countryside;
it is certainly not evidence that such poverty does not exist. The present
Thai government has stated that reducing inequality of income is one of
its main aims but this will take years to achieve. In the meantime when
children are hungry at school time, your personal giving can make a difference
today.
Please contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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How
much of our donation goes to the schools?
All of it, down to the last denomination. If you offer a hundred dollars,
10,000 yen or 100 pounds towards clothing or lunches, a hundred dollars,
10,000 yen or 100 pounds will be spent on these. As all our volunteers
are unpaid and contribute their time and expenses as a gift to the project,
your donation will be well spent.
Please
contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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How
are our donations administered?
Money is transferred to a dedicated Thai bank account and is paid
in small amounts as needed to the Head Teacher against his receipt in
a cash book. He then provides receipts for expenditure and accounts are
finally drawn up. Photographs of purchases are taken and from time to
time will appear on this website.
Please
contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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Do
you target the poorest children in the school or all of them?
At this stage we are helping all of them without any distinction.
We put this question to the school and they feel that all the families
without exception are poor farmers. They feel that any discrimination
would be extremely difficult to administer and would involve awkward decisions
and embarrassment to them and to the children. If the project is to be
long-term any such difficulty must be carefully avoided. When a school
outfit only costs about four dollars, we have no hesitation in giving
one to every child.
Please
contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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Are
you helping the school, the children or the parents?
To a degree we are helping all of them but our focus is of course
the children. A feeding program gives the children hot food at mid-day
that they would not otherwise get. Giving school uniform relieves the
parents of the cost but also ensures that no child has the embarrassment
of coming to school without one (or being too scared to come). The school
can also assemble its children with pride in their appearance, an important
aim in building good morale and school spirit.
Please
contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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Why
should non-Thais support Thai schools?
Why not if you can afford it! If a school uniform costs four dollars,
your help goes a long way in a poor place. North East Thailand is a dry
area where income from the rice harvest comes once a year, where there
is a shortage of land and agriculture cannot even begin to sustain the
population. The region's economy has long been in crisis and with increasing
drought conditions, there is no solution in sight. No industry has been
developed locally and so education is key for the children's future. The
needs are enormous. No government can simply bail out a failing economy
and a solution to the rural crisis will take many years. Meanwhile, wealthy
urban Thais are aware of the problem and donate to small school and particularly
to small village Buddhist temples that play an essential role in keeping
the community together in difficult times. They welcome foreign tourists
to their country and are truly grateful for your help in their poorer
regions.
Please
contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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I want to help, how much I do need to donate? How is the amount of donation
decided?
Any amount would be appreciated but for practical reasons, it would
be great if you can keep it in rounds numbers such as $100, 10,000 yen
or 100 pounds or Euros.
Please
contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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Can
we donate new or used items instead of money?
We appreciate your thoughts but since it would cost more to ship to our
adopted village schools, we request donation in money only. Also, by purchasing
all items locally, it helps the local economy.
Please
contact us at: Michael@AdoptAVillageSchool.Org
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