Karen child refugee school in Ban Ti is nearing completion
The construction of the school for Karen child refugees from Burma, a stone's throw from the border west of Kanchanaburi, has been delayed in recent months by the heavy wet monsoon. Now that this is a bit over, work has quickly resumed. The official opening will almost certainly take place in January next year. With thanks to Lionsclub IJsselmonde in Rotterdam and the Dutch Association Thailand Hua Hin and Cha am. However, there is still a shortfall of 600 euros.
After the first story, the Lions Club, readers of Thailand blog and members of the NVTHC raised a total of 720 euros, about 20.000 Baht. That was enough to start construction. The children are already busy filling PET bottles. They serve as walls to keep out heat and moisture.
Lions IJsselmonde and NVTHC are realizing a wonderful project there, which is definitely needed now that the battle between the junta of Myanmar and the rebel army of the Karen flares up. This creates a stream of refugees, including many children who have lost their parents and/or family during the bombing of Karen villages in the border area. His parents also died fighting the Myanmar army.
For years, shelter has existed in Ban Ti, the Bamboo School, where, under the inspiring leadership of Mrs Catherine Ruth Riley-Bryan from New Zealand, the often traumatized children are educated, receive basic education and spend their youth there. Virtually no support is received from the Thai government and Bamboo School and shelter run on volunteers, with the older children taking care of the little ones.
The existing structures are located on land that has been made available free of charge by the owner, the Thai army. The shelter is also guarded 24 hours a day by soldiers of the Thai army as the Myanmar army does not hesitate to cross the border for actions against the Karen in the border area in Thailand.
The shelter in Ban Ti is a private shelter run by volunteers and with the support of donors. See also website: https://bambooschoolthailand.com
The Ban Ti project entails an expansion of the shelter, much needed due to the recent and expected further increase of Karen refugee children to be received. Funding is provided by Lions Club IJsselmonde in collaboration with the NVTHC. There are virtually no labor costs; almost all activities are carried out in-house by Karen volunteers from the area and all children (small to large) from the shelter.
Bamboo School also makes a good contribution to local waste management in its surroundings. As everywhere in Thailand, waste is treated carelessly here and in particular, a lot of litter such as plastic bottles and other plastic material is found along the roads. In cooperation with the local government, the children collect PET bottles and plastic waste. The PET bottles filled with plastic waste and sand are processed in the walls of houses and buildings to be built. The active collection of bottles on the roadsides etc. has also led to a demonstrable reduction of the malaria that is common here.
The new shelter is planned to be officially opened in mid-January 2023.
If you feel the need to contribute to the expansion of the reception of Karen child refugees in Ban Ti, you can do so by making a deposit to one of the following account numbers:
- The Netherlands: Stichting Hulpfonds Lions Club IJsselmonde NL13 ABNA 0539 9151 30. You will receive a confirmation.
- Thailand: Krungsri Bank, in the name of Mr. Johannes Goudriaan 074-1-52851-5.
After payment to both the Dutch account and the bank account specially intended for this purpose in Thailand with Krungsri in the name of Mr. John Goudrian. Please email for information [email protected].
You will then receive confirmation of the relevant transfer by e-mail.
About this blogger
- Almost 20 years ago, journalist Hans Bos moved to Bangkok. Almost from the beginning, he was involved in the birth of Thailandblog. As a journalist, he worked for Limburg newspapers and for the travel trade journals of what was once called Elsevier. Hans (76) has lived in Hua Hin for 14 years, with his wife Raysiya and daughter Lizzy. He was secretary and vice-chairman of the Dutch association in Hua Hin and Cha Am for about nine years.
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