Thailand

Training as part of the Early Childhood Care and Development project

The west coast of Thailand was severly hit by the tsunami, with Phang-Nga and Phuket amongst the worst affected districts.  More than 5,000 people were killed and schools and houses were damaged or destroyed. 

A grant of nearly £100,000 from The Freemasons' Grand Charity is supporting three projects focusing on the education and protection of children in the affected areas.

Project 1: Early Childhood Care and Development - Phuket

The care and education a child receives at an early age is critical to their development into adolescence and adulthood.  As part of Plan Thailand's tsunami response programme, five childcare centres in Phuket are being rebuilt and repaired. 

Funded by a grant of £75,000 from The Freemasons' Grand Charity, Plan is working with a number of partners including the Ministry of Education, Community Committees and parents to provide a healthy, safe, and stimulating learning environment for the children attending the centres.  As well as supporting the rebuild and repair of the facilities, the grant is funding the provision of educational equipment for the centres and the on-going training in child development and learning for the staff.

 

Project Partners meet to discuss the many challenges of responding to the tsunami

Project 2: Education Programmes During Disasters - Phang-nga

Following the tsunami, the infrastructure of many schools in Thailand was either partially or completely damaged.  Schools lost students and teachers and many of those who survived were left traumatized.  Although education services continued during these very difficult circumstances, there was some duplication in the support provided and activities were sometimes poorly managed. 

In response to this problem, guidelines for the proper management of education services during disasters are being developed with the support of a £20,000 grant.  The project is bringing together schools, community leaders, relevant agencies and education services, teachers and pupils to produce and implement a standardized plan.  An estimated 17,000 students across 50 schools in the Phang-nga province will benefit immediately from the programme which will enable a quick and efficient response to the challenge of providing education services following future disasters or emergencies. 

Project 3: Childwatch Children's Camps - Phuket

Childwatch Phuket is a Thai Charity that supports vulnerable and abused children through a range of services including the provision of food, clothes, shelter and basic education.  A grant of £5,000 is funding a mobile teaching camp for 160 children, parents, teachers and trainers in order to promote strong and healthy family relationships, encourage children to stay away from drugs and help reduce domestic violence.