The scholarship awards provided by the EHI Foundation make a significant difference in the availability of school attendance for orphaned and abandoned children. In 2014, the EHI Foundation had resources to provide full scholarship grants for 35 students in four different schools. As well, discretionary scholarship awards were provided to each of the participating schools. Over the past 15 years, we have delivered assistance to over 600 children.
Last year, the foundation board identified the need to support the small rural school which is a “stones throw” from our foundation office. We hope to start with three students in 2015 and to increase the number as donations increase.
Thanks to our foundation administrative assistant, Phakwan Phasrirat, the validation of need for each student is confirmed by an initial home visit. Her investigation is sent to the USA headquarters. Upon our arrival in Thailand, Von completes a second home visit and interview with school officials and caregivers.
During the USA academic year, much of our business is conducted using Skype. Phakwan and the secretariat staff maintain regular communication with us in the USA.
It still takes about 40-hours travel time to reach our village in the north of Thailand. When we arrive, Von and I are busy meeting with school officials, conducting home visits, working with teachers and parents, and processing the bureaucratic forms required by the Royal Foundation Office for foundations to operate in Thailand.
We have been successful in overcoming the many obstacles in Thailand that could have prevented us from using school attendance as an instrument for overcoming poverty. We are thankful for your support and encouragement. Looking to the future, our mission is to continue making a positive difference in the lives of children by providing the option of a life with dignity.
We kindly ask that you use the address provided on our donation page to make a charitable donation to the EHI Foundation.
Dr. Faite R-P. Mack — Foundation President