Educate at-risk girls, end poverty cycle: Thailand

With the wonderful support of donors like you, Dhammajarinee Witthaya School is now recognized as a model school that shows the world what is possible for underserved children in any country through its programs.

When you look at Dhammajarinee today, it is hard to imagine its grassroots beginning in 1990. The school began without funds, but with only the caring intention of a small group of Buddhist nuns to help 20 orphan girls gain basic education and skill training to ensure these girls would not have to work in fields, factories, or worse.

When I started to help Dhammajarinee in 2010, the school had grown to 200 students. There was no viable way to grow further to help more girls who needed and wanted to come. At that time, the girls still slept on the floor on thin grass mats, meals were meager, nuns gathered rice from the community for breakfast, the few buildings were difficult to maintain, and the basic national requirements of uniforms and school supplies were a huge stretch for the budget.

Administration, teachers, and students worked tirelessly year after year, and today, the school has national recognition, over 1,000 students, a large campus, and outstanding educational programs and career opportunities.

You may wonder, if the school is doing this well, do they still need my help? The answer is a big YES, today more than ever before!  Sustaining over 1,000 students and working to provide opportunities for more girls to come is a goal we will not give up. 

This giving season inspires us to share with those who have less. December 3^rd is GivingTuesday, an internationally recognized day of generosity, and an excellent one-day opportunity for you to help Dhammajarinee meet its year-end goal to raise an additional $25,000.

On December 3rd, an incentive bonus will be given on any size donation up to $1,800 per individual donor. The bonus is based on the total amount of funds Dhammajarinee raises that day; thus, we cannot predict the bonus amount.

Another excellent way to help the school before the end of the year is to be an ambassador. A simple and powerful method to inspire potential donors is to tell your friends and contacts a little about the school and why you donate.

I will send you a reminder and details just before bonus day, and an alert on December 3rd, GivingTuesday. This will include the 24-hour time frame for donating based on your area.  All together, we can achieve the $25,000 goal for this year!

Every girl, from 4 to 19 years old, thanks you for continuing to be an important part of the support, protection, and chance to rise out of poverty for themselves and their families.

Your generous support has truly helped bring success to Dhammajarinee!

Academically, Dhammajarinee is now outstanding, giving amazing opportunities for each girl to fulfill her dreams. But what stands out, as I have watched the school over the last fifteen years, is the transformation that goes on inside each girl.  The girls come from poverty and other underserved backgrounds, including ones that are very emotionally challenging. Through initiatives to develop the whole individual and mental health programs, girls are quickly transformed. This transformation is simply described by the School Director, Acharn Yai, as “her heart becomes a beautiful heart.”

These beautiful hearts naturally reach out every day to help other students at the school and our students grow up cultured to help their families and communities. This one-minute video montage sweetly reflects the atmosphere of friendship and joy at Dhammajarinee Witthaya School:

Outstanding Work Honored

Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM,) a top-ranked university in Thailand, honored Dr. Mae Chee Anampai Phasaksakchai (Acharn Yai) with a plaque at the "PIM SMART STAR" Alumni Event 2024. Acharn Yai was recognized for her outstanding work in developing a model school that has helped “create good people, smart people, who can think and work for progress.”

Dhammajarinee’s ability to create “good people” is greatly needed at all levels of society, and is recognized by universities, who give scholarships to Dhammajarinee graduates to fulfill their desire to attend higher education and have fulfilling careers. Parents and relatives send their girls to the school to provide them with the life training that goes above and beyond the skills and academic knowledge to have a job—culturing integrity and compassion for well-rounded citizens who become part of the solution to our world’s most pressing problems.

Year-End Fundraising Initiative

Our world needs more beautiful hearts, and you can help.

A Thai foundation, which has generously supported Dhammajarinee since the school began, recently had to significantly cut back its monthly donations due to its own financial challenges. These funds had been an essential part of running the school.

We encourage you to help meet Dhammajarinee’s financial need by donating generously any time before the end of the year, or take advantage of a bonus given on 3 December, Giving Tuesday, on all donations up to $1,800.  Our goal is to raise 25K in needed funds by the end of December. Next month, we will be sending you updates with details about Giving Tuesday.

Thank you for being a part of Dhammajarinee's continued success!