Build a Classroom for At-risk Children in Thailand

We are so excited to be settling in to the new classroom and are already wondering how we ever handled operations and activities at the Resource Center before it! We have furnished the new office for our expanding staff with new desks that are created to withstand the humid temperatures of Thailand, a large meeting table made by a local villager and recycled from a tree, and storage space to organize student profiles, receipts, etc. The new classroom is also being put to use - fans were recently purchased to keep it cool and a large whiteboard is a much needed new addition. The few working computers have been moved over to the space designated for a computer lab, and fundraising for new computers will be our next endeavor! On the back of the building is a private entrance to a counseling room, where our Prevention Program Director meets with our students and their families on a regular basis. 

We are so close to completion: the only things left to purchase are air conditioning units and a few new printers. Each air conditioning unit will be high powered to be able to cool the large rooms and costs roughly $1,500 a piece. We'll be putting one in the office, counseling room, computer lab and classroom. This will be extremely helpful during hot season, when students and staff are unable to work because of the sweltering heat. The AC will allow for a respite from the heat, encouraging productivity, focus and attendance (since it's so hard to find a place to cool down!). 

Thank you so much to everyone who has given to support the building of this new space! We are so thrilled to not only have an office that actually fits all of our staff but also to have a designated space for classes, freeing up the (old) classroom to be used as a Library and creative arts center. 

We are so appreciative! 

We are SO very excited to announce that the second classroom is OFFICIALLY done with construction! In the last three months we have installed windows, doors, bathrooms, ceilings and completed the staircase. Now all we have left to do is furnish it. This includes the air conditioning units (which will be a huge boost in productivity during the 110 degree weather days), and furnishings for the office and classrooms. 

We are thankful to have finished construction just before the rainy season kicked in, and for the extra cover for our students and staff to stay dry during these months. Our staff have moved a few pieces of furniture over from the current (and much too small) office to be able to function in the new space. Our weekend volunteers and after school program manager have begun utilizing the new classroom but are still in need of furnishings to make it fully functional. 

The remaining amount to be raised will be applied towards the air conditioning units as well as furnishings. We're hoping to hire a local carpenter to construct tables and desks from wood, will purchase chairs for both the office and classroom, white boards, classroom supplies, etc. If we have any extra funds, they will be applied towards building out the 'first classroom' which will be converted into a library. 

One of the rooms which is difficult to photograph and has yet to be mentioned is a small room with a separate entrance on the back side of the building to be used for counseling. This came as a suggestion from our prevention program director, who identified a need for a private room with a subtle entrance to meet with students and their families. We're especially grateful for her foresight to be able to incorporate this into the structure and it will be one of the first rooms to be furnished since it's such an urgent need. 

We are so thrilled that the building itself is done and are looking forward to outfitting it to create a stimulating and inspirational environment for both our students and staff. 

Thank you so much for all of your support!