Educate Thailand's Most Vulnerable Children

Providing our kids with access to education is one of the things that we do daily in our Hands Across the Water homes. Each month we share updates from the homes that tell stories of what our kids are doing at home and at school, including the educational activities that they have taken part in and any achievements or awards that they might have received. Today we share some recent updates from BTN Home. The home has been bustling with activity, from artwork to offsite trips, cooking competitions, and preparations for the Business Blueprint charity ride in support of Hands Across the Water! Read more about these experiences below. 

In March, BTN Home staff organised art-inspired educational development activities for preschoolers and first graders. They blew paint into patterns, had an art teacher guide them in watercolor painting with brushes, and enjoyed the beauty of Sri Phang Nga National Park by watching fish and playing in the water.

On Makha Bucha Day, which was on February 24, the children went to Wat Kongkhaphimuk to attend prayers and to make a pilgrimage for themselves. The purpose of this pilgrimage was to instill a sense of good conscience in the children and to encourage them to embrace Buddhism. In the afternoon, the children listened to sermons from the master. In the evening, they took part in evening prayers and candlelight processions. Learning about Buddhism is a large part of their Thai culture. 

The children have also been busy in the kitchen. They learned how to prepare grilled meatballs. The children helped thread the meatballs onto skewers before grilling them in the charcoal oven until they were cooked and ready to eat for lunch. Learning through cooking is a great way to aquire new skills of self-sufficiency and independence. 

Additionally, the whole home took part in an international cooking competition. The children were divided into groups, and the members helped prepare a foreign dish. This cooking activity was organized to give all children practical experience. Initially, their results might differ from what they expected, especially if the dish was challenging to prepare. Still, they learned that they will succeed if they continue to practice. And in the future, the children can cook for themselves. Knowledge of food and food preparation is a potential profession that the children can pursue. And learning how to work as a team is another valuable skill they were able to practice. 

BTN Home held a haircutting day and a homework mentoring session outside of the kitchen. The older brothers and sisters helped the younger kids with their haircuts because it's a tradition to get haircuts before final exams for the children's good health. Additionally, the older students assisted the younger students with their homework, checked their work to see what they still needed to complete, and helped them submit it to their teachers on time.

Looking ahead, the children and staff are most excited about the arrival of the Business Blueprint cyclists participating in the charity ride with Hands Across the Water. The kids can't wait to celebrate the arrival of these riders, who will have raised $5,000 and will have completed a bike ride of 500 km over 5 days when they arrive at BTN Home on April 21! 

We thank you for your continued support of our kids in their ongoing education in and out of the classroom. Because of the support of people like you, they will have brighter futures and a life of choice. 

Links:

• Home Update from BTN