Educate at-risk girls, end poverty cycle: Thailand

When you see the smiling faces in our photos, it can be hard to imagine the difficult backgrounds of the girls and what they have experienced in their youth. No matter what the girl’s background, your support is transforming their lives from deep inside and that transformation quickly shines in their joy and appreciation. With your help this year Dhammajarinee is providing outstanding education to 1020 studetns from all areas of Thailand.

Get to know the girls

• 101 Students come from remote, northern hill-tribe areas
• 65 Students arrived below their grade level in reading and academics
• 71 Students are not fluid in reading
• 15 Students have learning disabilities or handicaps
• 95% come from broken homes
• 50% are orphaned or abandoned
• 20% come from extreme poverty
• Only 5% of the students come from normal backgrounds

Laptop and iPad Donations from Roche

Throughout the academic year, we will continue the digital transformation at Dhammajarinee. This includes students using laptops/tablets throughout class to research topics that the teacher presents. This hands-on, active learning method engages students in learning, promotes critical thinking, and encourages a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Research has demonstrated the active learning methods increase test scores by 6%. In addition, students will use the laptops and iPads to learn coding and online English, math, and science.

We are happy to report that inspired by our efforts to provide DWS students access to technology for online learning, two divisions of Roche Thailand generously donated 50 high-quality used laptops and 25 used iPads. Our goal is that every girl has access to her own laptop/tablet, and we continue to work towards making this happen.    (More photos below)

Online Math Education

Students in grades 1-6 began using an online math platform called Matific. Matific is an award-winning program used by millions of students in 125 countries. Although Matific is available in Thai, Dhammajarinee's Director Acharn Yai has opted for the students to run the program in English to improve their math and English simultaneously. Research has demonstrated that just 30 minutes of Matific per week improves test scores by an average of 34%. The Head of General Administration remarked that already within the first session, the girls were very engaged and enjoying the program.

Teacher Appreciation

On 15 June, the school celebrated ‘Wai Kru’, a traditional festival where students show their respect and appreciation for teachers at the beginning of the academic year.

Celebrating Thai National Language Day

On 26 June, the school and the Thai Language Essentials Group celebrated Sunthorn Phu Day, or Thai National Language Day, to inspire the students about the importance of the Thai language. The students learned about ancient Thai literature, created drama performances from those stories, and designed sustainable fashion around this theme, using a variety of recycled materials.

Angel Wings Scholarship

Two of the 2023 graduates received the prestigious Angel Wings Foundation Scholarship of $10,000 per student, which is only awarded to 16 students in Thailand.

Your donations, no matter how small or big, continue to pave the way for more and more girls to take control of their lives and fulfill their dream.

With great appreciation and thanks,

Linda Wagoner for Dhammajarinee School

We are excited to tell you that this month Dhammajarinee Witthaya School began the new Academic Year with more new and continuing students from all parts of Thailand.

The new year was launched with a welcome celebration and student orientation that included games, face painting, creative activities and unifying sports activities for all  grade levels.

Active Learning Seminar

In preparation for the new academic year, the school organized an Active-Learning Training Seminar to familiarize all teachers with this hands-on approach to learning. Active-Learning engages students in the learning process, promotes critical thinking, and encourages a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The school is focused on incorporating the active learning method across the school to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment for all students.

Joined Microsoft 365 Education 

Dhammajarinee was very fortunate to join Microsoft 365 Education, enabling the school to gain access to 800 free licenses of Microsoft Office online and 800 free licenses of Microsoft Online protection. Microsoft kindly shared Office training materials with the school, enabling every student to learn Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. 

You have helped graduates like Areeya

Areeya is a graduate of Dhammajarinee School. Her story is similar to that of many Dhammajarinee students.

Areeya came to Dhammajarinee at age 12 from a remote hill-tribe village of Thailand where quality education was not possible. Only 25% of the children finish high school in the hill tribe areas. In her local village, only one teacher instructed 47 students at all grade levels.

In this video (link below), Areeya shares her story of how Dhammajarinee Witthaya School changed her life by enabling her to complete high school.

Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dbi5axfsv4

Planning for Science, Math, and Smart-Garden Training

Dhammajarinee is planning a 3-week intensive science, math, and Smart-Garden training in June with returning STEM expert Dr. Stuart Kohlhagen. 

The Smart-Garden project allows students to learn skills including electricity and electronics; wireless control technologies; developing software for mobile devices; data management and AI; and plant biology, agriculture, and hydroponics.

We have already seen the great impact of Dr. Kohlhagen’s participation in the school:

• a large number of students joining the STEM club

• more graduates than ever before are accepted to university

• many graduates choose STEM majors—including computer engineering, digital design, digital communication, architectural technology, aerospace engineering, mechatronics and robotics, and more. We are excited to continue growing our partnership with Dr. Kohlhagen and providing these opportunities for our students.

iContact Newsletter

Visit our website www.thaischool.org and click on “subscribe” to sign up for our monthly iContact newsletter. The newsletter features news and more detailed information about the school not presented in our GlobalGiving Reports.

Heart-felt gratitude goes to all donors who have helped transform the lives and fulfilled the dreams of hundreds of Thai girls in need!