Foundation News

An anonymous donation of six solar Pisat K-Lights will permit the completion of homework by  EHI scholars who do not have access to electricity.  The K-Light is an innovative, eco-friendly solar-powered lantern, designed to stand up to the harshest environments. Approximately the size and weight of a can of soda, the unique combination of its solar-charging battery and bright, energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs), make the K-Light unlike any other product available today.

The K-Light is perfect for the rural setting found in the Nong Khai Province where the EHI Foundation is located.   It is a reliable and renewable source of light.   Being economical and environmentally friendly, one simply connects the solar panel to the K-Light and place it in direct sun for hours of clean, bright light. Normally with a charge of two hours, 12-hours of light may be expected.

Because of the generosity of our donors, this year we are able to add Ban Nam Mong to our list of schools. The elementary school is a kindergarten to 6^th grade with a total of just over 100 students.  It is a typical rural elementary school, but has been on the decline due to the lack of resources for the upkeep, maintenance of programs and meaningful educational activities.  The families that are able to afford the transportation costs, send their children to a larger nearby town where the school is better equipped and perceived to be doing a better job of servicing the students, resulting in only the extremely poor students who are left behind.  The administrators at the Ban Nam Mong School are looking forward to working with us and appreciate the positive international attention and  interest in their school.  Initially, there will be three students who will be receiving scholarship for the 2015 school year.  We continue to welcome your generosity so that we can add more needy students to our roster.

Phakwan (pah-kwan) or Mai has been working part time for EHI for the past 4 years.  She is married and has a son who is in first grade.  She and her husband are rice farmers and care for her elderly mother.   Mai is the main liaison between us, the US counterpart, and the Thai board members as well as coordinating contacts with all the schools with whom we work.  She initiate contacts with the schools to arrange visitations, meetings with students’ families, record keeping, document translations, and other numerous administrative duties.  Because of her ability to coordinate various activities and manages any administrative needs during our absence that she is a valuable member of our team.

By Vonmany Norasing, EHI V. P.

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

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