Summer camp with a difference

'When we were still enjoying the bubble economy, I saw many well-to-do parents send their children overseas for English summer courses. However, the underprivileged children just had nothing to do.' PHRA PAYOM KALAYANO Abbot of Wat Suan Kaew, Nonthaburi

EDUCATION: Wat Suan Kaew offers summer jobs to poor students so they can earn money to continue their education

Story by Bussarawan Teerawichitchainan

Two years ago, 12-year-old Am Thetkaew thought she was the happiest girl in the world when she won a seat in a well-known secondary school in Amphur Muang Suang, Roi Et province. But her happiness didn't last long.

Her heart soon sank when her parents informed her about the family's financial difficulties. Although they wished her a good education, they didn't know if they could support their only daughter.

"I cried. I was afraid I couldn't go to school any more," recalled Am, whose father and mother are rice farmers.

Am's story is not extraordinary. Each year thousands of students nationwide have to drop out because they do not have money for tuition. Available scholarships are not enough and usually go to only a few outstanding cases.

Fortunately, however, amidst the doom and gloom, Am was introduced to the summer camp at Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi province. Unlike other camps where children participate in either fun-filled activities or tutorial classes, Am had to work hard in the temple's compound. Her duties ranged from watering trees to collecting garbage.

In return for her labour, she earned over 4,000 baht by the end of summer recess."At the time, I was so happy because I had money to support my education. With the amount of money I could continue my studies," revealed the teenage girl, now 14.

This year Am joins the summer programme at Wat Suan Kaew again for the third time. She is now doing well at school and determined about her future studies.

"I want to go to high school and then to university. Joining the programme, I can have money for my tuition and daily expenses without bothering my parents," she said, smiling.

Like Am, around 1,300 students participate in the Wat Suan Kaew summer camp each summer recess. "Years ago, when we were still enjoying the bubble economy, I saw many well-to-do parents send their children overseas for English summer courses. However, it was different in the rural areas. The underprivileged children just had nothing to do," pointed out Phra Payom Kalayano, the temple's abbot.

Consequently, rural youth tend to waste their free time. Due to lack of budget and resources, family, teachers and local schools are not in a position to create useful activities for these kids during the summer recess.

"Many children end up watching TV or playing with friends all day long. Worse, a lot of them turn to drugs and other risky behaviours," he added.

Realising the problems, Phra Payom initiated the Wat Suan Kaew summer programme in 1991 with the objective of setting up creative activities for teenagers. In the meantime, it also gives them a chance to work and earn money for their education.

Within a few years, just by word of mouth recommendations, the number of participants has increased from a few hundred to over 1,000.

Once the final examinations finish in early March, students, both boys and girls, start travelling to Wat Suan Kaew. Most of them come from Isan provinces, including Surin, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram and Roi Et.

"We ask local schools to recruit interested students to join our programme. The schools usually bring their students to us. When they are with us, we provide free food, accommodation and medical care," said Duangjai Thitiyaruck, the programme co-ordinator.

Eligible students can be of any age, socio-economic class or religion. Those chosen, however, tend to be those with good behaviour and discipline as well as being old enough to take care of themselves, she added.

When they arrive at the temple, they will be assigned to work in accordance with their physical ability and skills. The jobs available can be as simple as watering trees, cleaning the monastery compound, or carrying sand bags. Meanwhile, some other positions may require specific skills, like fixing cars, or making artificial flowers.

"The Suan Kaew foundation, which is the charity organisation based in the temple, runs a lot of projects throughout the year. So we can provide many part-time jobs for these children," explained Duangjai.

For example, the foundation has received a lot of worn-out electric appliances from donors. To re-use these items, they need people to repair them and students with electronic skills can help.

After repairs, these appliances are sold at cheap prices at the temple's "Poor People's Supermarket." The revenue then goes to support the children.

"The jobs for these children vary from day to day. It depends on the need for labour in each section," said the programme co-ordinator.

Take Supreedee Sukhasem, a 13-year-old student from Buri Ram. He has been in the temple for two weeks."Usually, I plant trees but if other projects needs a helping hand, I'll go to assist them," he said.

It's not all work at the temple's summer camp. The 1,300 students who attend can also make new friends and join in recreational and dhamma activities. -- SOMKID CHAIJITVANIT

Compared to last summer, the boy admitted this year was a big change for him. "I did nothing when school closed last year ... just watched TV and played football. Now I see myself being more useful, although I feel lazy sometimes," Supreedee chuckled.

Indolence is taboo for the young participants in the summer programme at Wat Suan Kaew. "We're taught working is a kind of dhamma practice," said Am Thetkaew, aged 14, who has joined the programme three times.

Am's assignment is taking care of a small stall selling plants in the temple compound. But when there are no customers, she and three friends peel coconut shells into small pieces.

"The tough fibre can be sold as natural fertiliser for trees. Everyone has to be active. You just can't sit down and do nothing," she said.

Every day, students in the programme get up at 5:30 in the morning. After finishing their personal routines, they have to help one another cleaning their living quarters and various other areas in the temple compound.

"We have breakfast at 8 o'clock. Then we start doing our assigned tasks. At noon, we have one hour rest. From then, we work until 5:30 in the evening," explained Supreedee.

From time to time, there will be recreational or dhamma activities at night. Alternatively, children can choose to work overtime if their work is unfinished. But at 9 o'clock everyone has to go to bed.

"Here we have to work hard and play hard," added Am.

Many people wonder why Phra Payom, the creator of the summer camp, does not just give away scholarships to these children like many other organisation do. Why does he make the students work?

"If they just receive money without doing anything, the children will not learn the value of money and perseverance," said Phra Payom.

Work experience, he added, usually makes children more cautious about spending money. More importantly, they'd appreciate their parents' hard work for their education.

"In this way, they learn to be more grateful," the monk explained.

According to the programme co-ordinator, the Suan Kaew Foundation aims to give every child at least 3,000 baht. This also depends on their diligence.

"But we won't give them money until the programme finishes in early May," said Duangjai, adding that apart from the scholarship, they will also receive stationery, students' uniforms and other necessary items.

Over the past eight years, nearly 10,000 students have joined the programme, costing the temple nearly six million baht.

Phra Payom believes that the value of work and educational opportunities for needy children under the programme far exceeds the cost.

"If we really believe that our future depends on our children, we need to invest in their education and moral character," he stressed.

"We Care" is a weekly series honouring people who believe in giving. You can show you care by supporting the projects featured here each week. You can also let us know about people who unselfishly help others so we can honour them in these pages. Fax "We Care" on 240-3666 or call 240-3700 ext 3208 or 3212. Alternatively, e-mail sanitsuda@bangkokpost.net

Name of organisation: Suan Kaew Foundation

Address: Wat Suan Kaew, Bang Yai district, Nonthaburi 11140

Contact person: Duangjai Thitiyaruck

Tel: 595-1444, 595-1945-7

Fax: 595-1222

Savings account name: Phra Payom Kalayano

Savings account number: 269-2-24072-6

Bank name and branch: Thai Farmers Bank, Bang Yai branch

Please send or fax a copy of the deposit to the above address so the foundation can issue every donor a receipt.

Other interesting projects run by the Suan Kaew Foundation:

Rom Bho Kaew Shelter

Starting in 1987, the shelter aims to help underprivileged, unskilled people get occupational training. Participants also receive free food and accommodation.

Good Will Project (Sharing Society)

The project, which started in 1993, welcomes all kinds of donations including used clothing, books, old furniture and household goods. These items will be distributed to the needy.

Poor People's Supermarket

Starting in 1994, the store sells donated items cheaply to help the poor. The revenue goes to Suan Kaew Foundation. If the buyers do not have money, they can work for the temple and will receive a coupon which can be traded for the items they want in the supermarket.

Herb Garden

The garden was started last year with the aim of helping poor patients who cannot afford to go to hospital by providing them with medicinal herbs.