April 27, 1999
We care Everything's coming up roses A temple school in Chiang Mai seeks to give poor hilltribe teenagers the educational, occupational andspiritual tools to help them become smart, self-reliant and community-aware young women Chompoo Trakullertsathien Dawn breaks and light filters through the sea of fog that enshrouds the Buddha Dharma Nong Hoh, a forest monastery in Chiang Mai. The hum of prayer from the temple's main hall heralds the start of a new day. Apart from studying in the classroom, students at the Buddhakaset School for Girls develop their occupational skills so they have a means of earning a living. One of the vocational programmes at the school is a rose farm. The faithful are young hilltribe women aged between 13 and 18 years from northern Thailand's Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son provinces. Thanks to Phra Chaiyot Chaiyaso, the abbot of the temple, girls have received a free education at the boarding school he set up there since 1992. The Buddhakaset School for Girls is one of a kind. As a rule, temple schools are generally for boys. But at this temple, young women have a chance to study as well as develop their farming and other occupational skills and their spirituality. The school, also known as the Centre for the Improvement of Needy Girls' Quality of Life, was founded by Phra Chaiyot after he witnessed the many social problems faced by hilltribe people during religious pilgrimages in the area. He said: "I met many poor hilltribe children who, out of poverty and a lack of educational opportunities, left school only to become street kids, drug addicts, and child workers. "The situation seemed to be worse every time I went back to a place. I came to the conclusion education is the key to solving the problems faced by minorities, be they deforestation, drug addiction, child labour or flesh trade."The kind of education he had in mind, however, was not mainstream education which often alienates minority youngsters from their cultural roots. Nor was it the kind that gears youngsters toward individual advancement without any commitment or thought of their community. The abbot wanted his students to have their feet firmly on the ground, to be self-reliant with farm-related skills, and to be committed to community development when they return to their villages after finishing school. In addition, he wanted the school to give students a moral compass to help guide their life and work in the future. The first Buddhakaset School for girls was set up in Mae Hong Son's Khun Yuam district in 1989. Initially 30 girls attended-most from broken families. Four years later, the abbot expanded his project and set up a secondary-level Buddhakaset School at the Nong Hoh Buddha Dharma Centre in Chiang Mai. The 57-rai plot of land has since been divided into two zones-the forest monastery and the school. The school seeks to provide for hilltribe youngsters from poor or broken families and those who are orphaned or abandoned, since they are at the greatest risk of being lured into the flesh trade. The only requirement is that they must complete Prathom six before they can attend. The school, which provides free board and education, is run by four volunteer teachers lead by headmaster Passakorn Kandej. "Most of the girls are delighted to have a chance to continue their education," the 51-year-old headmaster said. There are currently 58 girls studying under the Education Ministry's non-formal secondary education programme. Living and learning together in a big-family atmosphere, the girls are divided in five groups. The groups live together and take it in turns to do household chores. Their day starts at 5:15 a.m. with prayers, dharma study, and meditation. At 6 a.m. the students have time to exercise after which they prepare food and clean the temple. Headmaster Passakorn Kundej: The students have no one to support them, so they must learn to take pride in self-reliance and stand on their own two feet. When they are strong enough to be independent, they will have the ability to help others. Before each meal the students say grace, a reminder to be grateful to the farmers for their food, and to develop compassion and self-discipline, they eat a vegetarian diet. "At first, it was very hard for me to live here," said Orawan Sae-lee, 15. "I had to observe so many rules. And I had to get up so early. "But the teachers are kind and remind us how valuable self-discipline is. Eventually I realised the earlier you get up, the more time there is to do useful things!"The students spend about five hours a day in classroom study in the temple's main hall which also serves as a meditation centre and a library. Then from 1 to 4 p.m. they learn farming skills such as rose gardening, mushroom and vegetable growing, and poultry raising. Those who do not like farm work, can sharpen their cooking, weaving and dress making skills. Mr Passakorn said: "When they leave they will be able to earn a living from what they learn here. And they can teach other villagers these skills which can help them to be self-reliant."The abbot's efforts to instil a moral awareness in the students also seems to have an effect. Pornthirak Kanyaprasit, 16, from Loei province said: "Before, I wanted to be rich like others and was willing to take risks. Now I've realised greed can lead us to many disasters in life. I'm learning how to keep it under control. And to purify my mind with dharma which can guide me in the right direction. "Religious studies and contemplation have also helped me realise the value of contentment. Now, all I want is a simple and peaceful life."In the evening, the students gather again at the main hall to pray and meditate. At 8 p.m. they exchange news and information in group discussions. At the weekend they play table tennis, basketball or other sports and many also choose music. In the summer, the children return to their families for about 20 days. The rest of their vacation is spent at a dharma camp at the temple which takes about 8 to 10 days. The school's central philosophy emphasises self-reliance. The students must cook for themselves, wash their own clothes, and keep their houses clean. "The students have no one to support them, so they must learn to take pride in self-reliance, to stand on their own two feet," the headmaster said. "And when they are strong enough to be independent, they will have the ability to help others who are weaker than they are. We stress the importance of sharing."In the farming programme, the students learn about chemical-free farming and the chickens are raised for their eggs, not their meat. Mr Passakorn said, before attending the school, many students are very negative and filled with self-pity, worn down by poverty and with little optimism about a good future. Kalya Suwanarat, 17, from Chiang Dao was one example. She said: "I was born into a poor, broken home. My mother couldn't afford my schooling. I thought I was the most unfortunate person in the world. But when I came here and heard some of my friends' life stories, which are so often full of violence, I realised there were people in a far worse situation than myself. "From dhamma studies, I learned whether I have money or not, I can be happy if my mind is happy."The school also encourages students to develop a sense of charity. As part of their educational programme, they visit rural schools to teach needy children how to grow mushrooms, for example. And on some weekends, they visit people suffering with Aids and help provide them with basic health care. Mr Passakorn also teaches students the significance nature can have on one's peace of mind, and his tree-planting and gardening programme at the school are part of this. "The shade and peacefulness of the place helps the students to be calmer. And when their minds are more concentrated, they develop a better memory, and this benefits their studies," he said. "Also, nature is a great healer," he added. The teenagers have to adjust to a new life with new friends, and things are not always plain sailing. Mr Passakorn said: "Many of the children are aggressive as they have been through many bad experiences. But we don't punish them by beating or scolding them here. "Instead, we try to help them to control their aggression through meditation and doing their chores mindfully. We also provide a forum so they can learn how to express their frustrations in a rational manner," he said. And working with students from different ethnic backgrounds provides its own challenges. The school's solution is to stress similarities rather than differences. "We teach them that all of us are basically the same so we have to help one another."Although there have been considerable success stories, Phra Chaiyot said the school continues to face many obstacles, largely financial ones, which limits the number of girls the school can take in. Though Buddhism teaches simplicity, a shortage of cash means the girls live extremely frugally. Phra Chaiyot said: "I have told the children to endure and hope the situation will improve."When things have been really bad, the teachers have paid the students' expenses themselves. Mr Passakorn said: "We're willing to do it, though, knowing we are doing our bit to save them from a cruel society."u"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 selflessly 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 email sanitsuda@bangkokpost.net Info fordonations: *Name of organisation: Buddha Kaset Foundation *Contact person: Passakorn Kundej, headmaster *Address: Buddha Dharma Nong Hoh Temple, Klong Chon Prathan Road, tambon Chang Puek, Muang district, Chiang Mai province 50302 *Tel: (053) 414-096 *Account name: Buddha Kaset Foundation *Account number: 504-0-174-020, savings account, Bangkok Bank, Suthep branch.		Current Issues in Thailand Bangkok Post Year-end Economic Review AutoWeb Classifieds Jobs Property Entertainment Investment Education Travel Sales Learn English Weekly Database Horizons Motoring NiteOwl Real Time Student Weekly Special We Care Street Art Back Issues Company Services Subscriptions Advertising Annual Report
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