Schools-Helping-Schools Project: Thap Put Wittaya School

The following description is provided by Ween Kanadpon, who taught at Thap Put Waittaya when she participated at AsiaPacificEd's 2005 summer and fall programs:

Thap Put Wittaya School (TPW) is a medium-sized secondary school in Thap Put District, Phang-nga province, in southern Thailand. The school population is currently at 1,100 students and 50 teachers. It is located about 25 kilometers east of the Provincial Hall in Phang-nga town and about 2 kilometers south of the Thap Put District Office. Our school was officially established in 1975 with 3 teachers and about 50 students.

Being situated about an hour drive from the  coast, most of us were safe from the tsunami except a few families. One of our students lost her father who was working at Phi Phi Island, another had his motorbike damaged, another's parents had their shop blown away.

This student who has just recieved 11,886 bath from your help was indirectly effected by the disaster. Her father was a fisherman and lost his fish farm in the wave. He has to support his daughter to finish 12th grade but has no regular income anymore.

Director of Thap Put Wittaya school Mr Manit Wimuttisuk, presenting to tsunami-affected student Chotima Ardpol. Lookingon is her teacher Weena Kanadpon who was also AsiaPacificEd participant in our 2005 programs.

This is an email the student sent to us at Schools-Helping-Schools on 6/29/06:

My name is Chotima Ardpol . I’m studying in Mathayom 6/1 or
12th grade. I’m 18 years old. I live at 20/1 M.7 Bosan, Thapput,
Phang-nga, southwest coast of Thailand. And my family has 5 people.
My brother and sister are already married. My father is 72 years
old. We had our fish farm damaged from the tsunami last year. So, we
want to use some money in rehabilitation problem from the tsunami.

Thank you very much for your money to help me. And this money will be used
only for my studies. Currently I am back to school. I will spend the
money for:

- School fee 800 Baht
- Daily expenses 60 baht a day, 168 school days, total 11,160 baht
- Books 638 baht
- Notebooks and stationery.

Thank you for your money you give to me. I already get your money. And I will
use the money for my learning.