News 2011 - Volunteers for vocational programs

We are looking for dynamic, open-minded, good-humoured team-players! Good knowledge of English language required; minimum three weeks' stay! Details: http://keaspirit.com/picture_library/E_Vocational_Programme.pdf

A nice example: In January 2012, a small team of ACAI-FRANCE (firefighters) spent 3 weeks with us, providing First Aid training to 60 students and 20 adults The foundation covered part of the costs on site.

Focused and efficient

The Foundation focuses its activities on the following areas:
- Financial support of poor families during the three-year higher secondary or senior high school  of their children at "Nadeepittayakhom School" at "Wittayaserm School", and at "Kudbong School" near Phon Pisai.
- Preparing them for their professional life with English and IT courses at the local Pythagoras Institute.
- Sponsoring of vocational training/apprenticeship in Thailand, 
- ongoing four-year financial support of students who successfully passed the entrance exam at a recognized university in the area.

"Nadeepittayakhom School"

More than 10 years ago, the school was founded with the help of a Japanese Service Club and later became a recognized public school of the Nadee district. Today, 500 young Thai people are educated at "Nadeepittayakhom School". Educational levels are secondary school I and II, and senior high school with a degree comparable to a Bachelor’s. The other schools where students are supported by HopeHouse are in the same area of NorthEast Thailand.

A stepping stone for 55 students eager to learn

At present we support the education of 55 pupils during their three-year secondary II or senior high school. The foundation bears the costs of school transport, meals, school uniform, special courses, and sports activities. The donation funds do not directly go to the adolescents or their families, but are administered by the school management in order to ensure a just and optimal allocation of funds. 

10 scholarships for the university

Educational scholarships are provided by the Foundation to support gifted youth. At present two female students and five male students from “Nadeepittayakhom School” receive HopeHouse funding for their four years of studies at the university. They are enrolled in Marketing, Management and Business courses or attend the teachers’ training seminar. In 2012 the total number of HopeHouse university students will increase to 10.

Facilitating career entry - The Pythagoras Institute at Phon Pisai

Even with a secondary school education, professional options and prospects are very limited, especially in the less developed Northeast of the country. Good knowledge of the English language and computer skills are often lacking, presenting barriers to finding jobs in the tourist industry, for example. That is why in summer 2010, the Foundation started offering additional computer and English crash courses to the school graduates and/or students in their last school year. The courses have met with great enthusiasm and success and will continue through Video Conferencing and at the local Pythagoras Institute. The latter was  founded by our enthusiastic Board member, Gilles Bernard. The first certificates were handed over to happy students in September 2010 already. See picture gallery.