My sister and I have been sponsoring our housekeeper's two children (students in Grades 4 and 7) on their expenses for school uniforms, socks, and other necessities.
After the Schoolbooks Project was established, I wanted to know more about their schools.
The girl in Grade 7 is now in a middle school while the boy in Grade 4 is still in the elementary school in his village.
Nang, our housekeeper, says the elementary school takes care of children from 4 villages around the area. That is the reason why the size of its student body is relatively large--more than 130.
What Nang, her husband, and their neighbors do annually is collect donations and go buy needed items for the elementary school. For example, for this upcoming Songkran (Thai traditional new year) break in mid April, they will bring bowls, plates, eating utensils, and other goodies up to Yasothon. They do not give the money to any particular person.
I decided to personally contribute some writing pads and writing utensils from a wholesale store with them on this trip.
I told her about the Schoolbooks Project and shared the descriptions of Nonsamran School to see whether Dongsamran is any different. It seems Dongsamran is a bit better off, but I cannot judge without additional info.
Nang will be bringing me some information about the school as well as photographs of its students and building/classroom conditions.
The Schoolbooks Project may be able to send some reading materials for their school library.
