Mae Sot School and Orphanage: Overview
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Planet Care
801 Cedar Street
Suite 200
Berkeley, CA 94710
510-594-4027
info@planetcare.org
The school's administrative building is covered in students' drawings.When
first formed, the Mae Sot School and Orphanage had little to work with
besides hope. The teachers received no salaries -- just food and lodging.
Nevertheless, the hard work, love and dedication of the teachers was clear
to see.
Thanks to Planet Care's support over the years, the school has continued to grow, and now includes 16 teachers who care for 250 students, including 155 boarding students who are either orphans or displaced refugees. Planet Care's funding provides for the daily need of the children -- including soap, blankets, candles, food and milk.
Things are never static at Hsa Thoo Lei, with everyone working constantly to improve the quality of the school. The teachers receive regular training both on the curriculum (Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking) and on broader topics, such as children's rights and school health. The school is also planning to increase the grade levels offered to the full 10 grades of the official Thai system, as well as add subjects such as drawing, music, sewing and weaving.
Many of the students have pasts full of trauma and hardship. Now, however, the children wear smiles, as they sing, play, and learn. As Paw Ray, the current director of the school, says:
"We notice that our boarding school children are developing in education, health, characters, also in respect to others."
You can read here about the children's experiences in "Stories From Refugees: Mae Sot School Children".
Next: 2. The Classroom
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