Komsant Makklaew
M1 Panangtung School
Age 12
Phatthalung

Komsant was second in his class last year. His family is very poor. He has two younger sisters still studying at Ban Pa Hua Khieu School. They both do well, one coming first and the other coming second in their respective classes. One older brother was forced to leave school two years ago because the family could not afford to keep him there. He finished sexth grade and now helps his father with the fishing and helps his mother weave mats.

When our representative arrived at his home, Komsant was very embarassed because he was wearing his mother's sarong. He has very few articles of clothing. His rickety house, built on stilts over a swamp, was the farthest from the school and the village centre.

Komsant's mother said he receives two baht a day to take to school. He said he gets free lunch at school. He received some uniform from his last school. He and his sisters had to walk through water to get there. To get to his new school, Komsant said he would probably ask for a ride in a friend's boat for part of the way, before walking the rest of the distance.

Everyone in the family, even children eight and 10 years old, weave mats. All were busily weaving when our representative arrived unannounced at their house.

Komsant said that, working flat out, his family can produce three large mats a day, earning about 50 baht a day. The family's income amounts to about 1,000 baht a month. His mother said that they are trying to save money for Komsant's schooling since he does well at school.

He would like to until he finishes sixth grade and then become a soldier. He is fond of football and is a runner for the school. He once came second in a district athletics meeting.