The school we decided to assist is in Ban Bang Muang, half a kilometre outside of Baan Nam Kem. The school was not damaged structurally by the Tsunami, though one teacher and 27 students died. Since the school had to take on many additional pupils from nearby destroyed schools, it is bursting to the seams and is lacking in just about everything.
The headmaster and teachers take care of the students in an exemplary manner and looked after orphans in the first few weeks following the disaster. The headmaster and teachers are assisting with arranging sponsorships for the orphans and are doing their utmost to make our work as easy as possible. The relationship between teachers and students is one of mutual trust and respect. In close cooperation with “Friends of BBM School” a joint venture with the Evason Phuket Resort (and, in particular with the assistance of Alasdair Junor, the General Manager), we have organised the following for this school:

• a learning centre complete with computers, library, interactive learning equipment, ADSL connection
• an l-shaped new toilet with changing and shower facility
• renovation of the old/existing toilet facility behind main building
• renovation and adding of 2 more facial sink washing facilities behind the two old main buildings
• rain water collective tank/storage (from roof gutter and drainage) of the two newer buildings (as site of learning centre and new toilet facility)

Goods Donated
Furniture and Books for the library
Self-Learning Centre with internet connection
School Pick Up Truck

Partner Schools
Currently, relationships/student penpals are being established with overseas schools, one of whom visited Thailand specifically to research and establish a long-term relationship between its school in Australia and Ban Bang Muang School. Discussions and ideas are being worked on jointly in preparation for the next school year, beginning in May.
 

Achieved So Far:
Over 40 orphans in Ban Bang Muang now have sponsors.
7 orphans from Baan Nam Kem have arranged sponsors.
1 girl from a sea gypsy village north of Phuket has been placed to be with foster parents. She will be the first sea gypsy child to attend a secondary school in Phuket.
Improvements and donations for the school.
Paid school and general living expenses for 1/2 months for over 40 orphans.
Establishment and help in school partnerships.