Help Keep HDS Bus and Truck Running

At Patak Half Day School, we effectively uphold the regular attendance of our students because we make it convenient for them to travel to and from the centre. Every morning, the bus picks up the students from surrounding villages, as well as the Myanmar border. At the end of the day, the truck makes two rounds dropping the students off back at their homes. With your continuous support, we are able to finance regular maintenance, including gas and coolant refills and cleanings, of our bus and truck to keep them running smoothly.

The start of the new semester in May corresponded with the beginning of Thailand’s wet season - a risky time for driving due to heavy rains and slippery roads. The heavy rainfall which begins in May tends to reach its peak levels in August. During this time, it rains nearly every day. Furthermore, the landscape of Mae Sai is a combination of flatlands and hills, forcing people behind the wheel to take extra precautions to keep safe. Ultimately, this means our bus and truck are serviced more frequently during the wet season as compared to the rest of the year. Over the past three months, in addition to regular maintenance, we have had the breaks serviced and the windows and AC system repaired. We are also currently budgeting to purchase new tires. Your support keeps our vehicles secure so that we can safely bring the children to school and back home.

On behalf of the staff members, the volunteers, and, above all, the children, I want to sincerely thank you for your time reading our update and for supporting our mission to provide free education to at-risk youth in the bordertown of Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, Thailand. DEPDC/GMS could not continue without the kindness of people like you!