WE CARE
Makeshift weekend schools in Bangkok's slums give hope to children who need it
Story by PICHAYA SVASTI and Photos by YINGYONG UN-ANONGRAK
Along the pavement of the Khlong Lot canal, some 10 street children are reading and studying with their teachers, oblivious to the stench and the simple mats they are sitting on.
It is Sunday, the day a group of volunteer teachers offer free classes, a god-given opportunity for the needy children.
It has been nine years since the volunteers, who call themselves the Sor So Asa Group, started tutoring poor and homeless children for free in the areas near Sanam Luang and the Arun Amarin Bridge. They also offer the same classes at a slum in Bang Sue on Saturdays.
"Many of our students are homeless children, child beggars and slum children," said Naphat Mahasithilap, a volunteer teacher and the group's co-ordinator.
"We teach them slowly because some of them never go to school. They are willing to study with us because they know we really love and care about them."
 |
Learning with volunteer teachers under the Sor So Asa group is enjoyable. |
According to her, classes run from 9am to 12pm on Saturdays at Tuek Daeng Community, Bang Sue, from 9am to 12pm on Sundays beside Royal Hotel along Khlong Lot, and from 2 to 4:30pm on Sundays under Arun Amarin Bridge near Siriraj Hospital.
One of the project founders, Dheraratana Chuamnaj, a retired teacher better known as Khru Phoo, (or "teacher grandpa" because he is 73 years old), recalled that some 20 volunteers, including him, started teaching street children near Sanam Luang and Wat Siri Ammart Community in June 2000, under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's volunteer for homeless children project.
At first, the homeless children resisted. After less than a month, however, the teachers' sincerity finally won their trust. As the children started listening, the teachers also started adjust themselves to the children's needs.
The number of volunteer teachers under that project gradually dropped as the time went by, however. A change of policy brought the project to an end. But the volunteer teachers decided to continue helping the children and set up their own independent group called Sor So Asa, which means chain of volunteers in Thai.
At present, 15 volunteers teach on a regular basis, while 30 others, including university students, help out at their own convenience. The subjects taught include Thai, English, mathematics and art, from kindergarten to Grade 6 levels.
The first hour of teaching is in line with provided guidelines. The rest of the class time is up to each teacher to cater for children's special needs, said the group co-ordinator.
Apart from teaching, the group also gives free textbooks, stationary and other resources. When a new semester is near, they also help poor children buy school uniforms and even pay for tuition fees.
Volunteer teachers, Dheraratana Chuamnaj and Naphat Mahasithilap, teach children at Tuek Daeng Community, Bang Sue. |
The problems of the students often stem from their own parents. "Many of the parents are homeless and do not think about the future of their kids," said Naphat. "Some children are called by their mothers to leave class and go begging."
The children are eager to have an education, however. According to Naphat, there are 20 children from the Sanam Luang area and more than 10 others under the Arun Amarin Bridge who attend the group's weekend classes voluntarily.
"A 13-year-old boy named Mee, who was about to be enrolled in Wat Mahathat School, was taken elsewhere by his father," Naphat gave an example.
Lack of opportunity for education isn't their only problem. Many have behavioural problems as a result of domestic violence. Healing takes time, but the group takes pride in softening their students' aggressiveness.
"From being rude and aggressive, they have opened up and become helpful," she reported proudly.
At the Tuek Daeng Community, Bang Sue, similar classes are held by the Sor So Asa group every Saturday morning. The weekend "school" was opened about a year ago on an empty plot of land.
Children initially had to study under a canvas roof. It was not until a few months ago when the school got a proper roof. Donated whiteboards, tables, chairs, cabinets and electric fans were arranged into classrooms without walls.
Almost every week, Isara Tanjongsirikul, Piyawan Rongprasert and Vorawich Kiattiwongse come to Tuek Daeng Community to teach maths, Thai and English to the youngsters.
According to Piyawan, the number of students in each class at Bang Sue has grown from a few to more than 20 over the past year.
"Our teaching methods vary depending on the students. Some students are quick learners, while others are slower. We must try to create a balance by not leaving anyone behind," Piyawan said.
Vorawich said he allows his students to vote what they want to learn. In between lessons he organises games which relate to what he is teaching.
Apart from tutoring, the volunteers also try to instil environmental awareness and social conscience to the students.
They also give counselling to those with family problems.
"It takes time but it works. For example, the children used to litter their garbage wherever they finished their snacks. But, not any more," Isara said.
Another volunteer teacher, Sombat Matheeyonpiriya, a bank employee, also teaches children upcountry every month. He said he focuses on morals such generosity rather than academic excellence.
For example, enjoying painting is not the only goal in his art classes. The sharing of colour pencils with friends is equally as important.
"The way the kids relate to others have improved a lot. They now speak more politely and are more willing to share things."
Among the students is nine-year-old Anthika Permpoon, a fifth grader from Zhin Tai Hong School in Bang Sue. After Saturday's classes end, she always helps Naphat sharpen pencils for future use. At home, she also helps her mother with the housework.
Anthika joined the Saturday classes when she was eight years of age. The weekend class, she said, is more fun than studying at her school and helps bring better grades.
Another student, Thanawat Yoorit, a second grader of Wat Pracha School, also said the weekend class has taught him that maths can be fun.
It was his mother, Kanda Yoorit, a leader of Tuek Daeng Community, who approached Khru Phoo to open free tutoring classes after watching a TV programme on the group's dedication to the children along Khlong Lot.
Within only one year, the number of students there has grown from 40 to over 100. Almost all of them join the classes willingly.
Some are sent by their parents to wean them off their computer game addictions, which is a big problem in the community.
"Since the opening of the weekend school, the situation has improved. The children wake up early in the morning, take a bath and come here to wait for the teachers," she said.
"My eight-year-old boy told me that the teachers are nice and that he is doing better at his school. When he first attended, he could not read. But one of the volunteer teachers takes special care of him. Now, my boy can read fine," she reported happily.
At present, the Sor So Asa group is going to expand their project to cover a needy community in the Ratchadaphisek area. Therefore, they are welcoming more volunteers.
According to Khru Phoo, the door is always open for newcomers because the group works in several communities and often faces teacher shortages.
Likewise, Naphat, who works for a private company on weekdays and has been teaching at all the three venues every weekend for a year, hopes that more people will join the Sor So Asa group.
As she sees it, what is most required from the volunteer teachers is not textbook knowledge, but patience and a big heart for needy children.
"It is more important for us help groom the children into good persons and to instil kindness in their hearts," said Naphat. "To do that, we must first give them kindness and love."
Prev
1
2
3
Next
