Without qualifications, the future for young people in rural Thailand is bleak. Boys find daily work as farm labourers or itinerant builders, girls start families in their teens, then often leave children with their grandparents and look for work elsewhere. Some end up in Bangkok, in the slums, and easy victims to trafficking.
Lert Sa Wat gives hope through a child sponsorship programme. Sponsorship is all about opportunity. £20 per month provides a child with school uniform, shoes, P.E kit and bag, the money to have a school meal each day and the opportunity to gain the qualifications necessary to equip them for full time employment. Children who have been at the Lert Sa Wat Nursery are given strong foundations for the future. As ever, much depends on the ability, character and personal circumstances of the child. It is hard to break through the rural mentality of girls settling down and starting a family in their teens, and to help students who struggle to pass end of year exams and have to repeat a year. Happily, Lert Sa Wat has seen major successes with young people whose family home is little more than a shack.
Yuttana was sponsored throughout secondary school, high school and University. He graduated in Maths in December 2014 and found temporary employment as a Maths teacher. He was earning enough to support himself, his mother and his younger brother. Yuttana was not able to to gain a permanent post without a Teaching Diploma, rather like a PGSE, so he decided to do the diploma over two years and continue working. He contacted Lert Sa Wat, who agreed to give him some help towards the cost of the course.
In April 2019 Yuttana obtained his Teaching Diploma and was immediately given a permanent job teaching Maths and Science. Sponsorship has helped Yuttana to escape the poverty trap and realise his potential.
Laddawan became part of the Lert Sa Wat sponsorship programme when she was in Primary School. She excelled at school and went on to gain a degree in Agricultural Economics. Being one of the top students, she was asked to stay on to do a postgraduate degree and to tutor undergraduates. She gained her Master’s in 2016 and is now working for the government in their Agriculture Ministry, supporting both herself and her family. Before leaving for her new job, Laddawan visited Lert Sa Wat to thank everyone for making this possible.
Tontarn came from a small farm high in the hills. He lived in a simple house with no running water or electricity. Several members of the extended family lived there. From an early age, Tontarn liked studying and did well at school. In 2022 he graduated in Hotel and Business and got a job almost immediately. He is now working in Bangkok.
What does sponsorship involve?
From you
A commitment to pay £20 per month to sponsor an individual child and provide them with school uniform, shoes, P.E kit and bag and the money to have a school meal each day.
There is an option to send cards and small gifts at Christmas and birthdays or to write short letters to the child you are sponsoring.
From Lert Sa Wat
A photograph of the child you are sponsoring
Personal details of your child and his/her family
Updates about how your child is progressing
Translation of any cards or short letters you may write to your child and their reply to you and newsletters on progress of the Project in general.
Please contact Maureen at lertsawat2000@gmail.com for more information.