The overall poject of this year was very smooth and we achieved better results than we expected. The cooperation from the schools, villagers, military, and on-site volunteers this year were very impressive. We had 160 beneficiaries from 7 schools: children aged between 3-13 years old
The constructions this year were different for each school. The one which was the highlight of this year, which we have never done before: a bridge crossing a small river for Pipor school. It was not a big bridge but it is big enough for cars to cross which makes the life of people in the school and the villagers a lot better. Moreover, we made a water system for 2 schools (for one of them we had to make piping of about 2 km), making fences for 6 schools, one hand-washing sink, 2 playgrounds, repairing toilets for 2 schools and building new toilets for 2 schools, repairing one canteen and building one new canteen, and one more major construction work: we also made a road for the school and the villagers in Kun Tuen Noi school where we volunteers were based during the stay in the mountains.
Two constructions are not yet completed: First, moving the canteen in Mai Thong school which is around 60% complete. The second is building the new canteen for Mae Tae Lae Gui school which is around 80% complete. Both schools faced the same problem which is lack of labour. All teachers in the group were helping each other with the constructions in every schools at the same time. Some of the schools finished first, then they will help others to finish it. Both of these two places only have female teachers and with this big construction work, they needed a lot of help. They confirmed they will finish everything before raining season.
The constructions this year was within budget. Not only did we not pay for labour, but all teachers tried to find the best suppliers, tried to save as much of their budget. For example, Mai Thong school, they had have to move the canteen from the old place which flooded when it rained, to the higher place where the water won't reach. The teachers used old woods from the old canteen. So what was paid for was only the new iron structures and some small extras. For the road at Kun Tuen Noi schoolthe teacher asked the villagers to collect sands and rocks from places nearby to be the materials to make this road. So they saved material cost and the very expensive transportation cost. Thank you so much to villages and teachers. We really feel touched from your kindness and your help.
The extra material we gave are different for each school, e.g., scales, power generators, loudspeakers, lawnmower etc. This year the special thing we arranged for every school are incinerators for garbage. We will see the results in the long term. This might be a standard for future projects.
Dried food and other equipment we provided according to the plan. Luckily we were able add around 15% more than planned. If we handn't it wouldn’t have been enough for every kid that came to the event. This will be our goal that we from now on should arrange for 15-20% more. The student bag and fabric bag this year couldn’t pack everything in - the same as every year. We joked about it that maybe we should arrange to have suitcase the next time.
This year, 19 volunteers were on-site; a quite diverse group: men and women, Thais and foreigners, long-term and new volunteers, with different skill sets. This included the Military team as well. The team from the special forces this year were amazing. All the work went very smoothly without spending too much time to brief and explain things. Our volunteers have gave their time, their money, their power to this project.
The activities for the children were awesome. Plenty of rewards, gifts, great experiences and definitely they all had a great experience before they went back home. Kids from many schools told us that this year they didn’t have children’s day event. So the event we gave them when we were on-site, they will remember for a long time. It is more than just gifts and rewards that they received. Most of the kids see foreigners for the first time in their life. Villagers and teacher were also asked to take photos with the team. That’s why we always said these 4 days on-site after 4 months preparation are the most important, they have more value than just the money and the donations.
Both constructions, material for the schools, donations for the children and the activities are important.
One more thing we would like to add for the next time is the rewards for villagers when we play games together. Something that they can use in daily life such as detergents, soaps, shampoos etc. Don’t forget the villagers came to help with constructions. When we had activities with the children, it was like once in their life time event for the villagers as well. The children have fun. The teachers have fun. The villagers also have fun, too.
Our new direction:
We will stay in the north for the next couple of years. There are many of small schools in the nothern area. Only in one district, Omgoi (Chiangmai), there are 109 schools already. So we will try to help people who need it as much as we can.
KFAM focus on ‘real volunteering’, ‘maximize the benefit of the money’, ‘give support the right place’. KFAM has currently one weak point which is if the main people are not available, everything will stop. But if we can create a strong network for the next couple of years, everyone knows what we should do and what we will do, everyone knows about how things work and our concept, our KFAM will continue forever as long as there are still some people who think in the same way and know how to make it happens together.
Thank you so so much to all sponsors. Thank you to all volunteers, KFAM family members both permanent and just recently joined. Thank you to all the teachers and villagers for your help and co-operations for months. We did make some cool things for your community and your children. Thank you so much for special force for sending volunteers, support on transportation and everything. These projects wouldn’t happen without you all. Thank you so much everyone. We made good things happen again this year.
Please follow us for the update of the next projects. New projects will be announced in October 2023. Please support us with money, power and moral support. All of us together, we can make some people’s lives better, the world is a bit better, and we will inspire more people to do the same in their community together again. Stay tuned!