This year, Year 3 will continue to support Thomas House.
What is Thomas House?
Thomas House is a small, specialised school for children with special educational needs located in Tha Ton, north of Chiang Mai. It provides a vital service to a rural area with very few options for children with special needs. Before Thomas House, children were either sent to schools that were ill-equipped and untrained to cater to their needs, or they did not attend school at all.
With construction completed in November 2017, this November marks the five year anniversary of Thomas House. The school can accommodate up to 24 students and offers an individualised learning program to suit the needs of each child. Thomas House also offers placements for specialist volunteers and work experience opportunities for trainees in the SEN field.
Thomas House is part of a registered charity which incorporates three projects: Thomas House; the 'Continuing Education Project' which supports students through secondary and tertiary education; and the 'Community Building Project, part of the visiting schools programme to improve conditions in local schools.
WHY DOES IT NEED OUR HELP?
Funding for Thomas House is solely reliant on the support of the MRV (business) Project and charitable donations from visiting schools, hotel guests and others. Due to the pandemic, these sources of income were severely impacted, and Thomas House was forced to close. However, the children were lucky to receive regular home visits from the aptly named, Kru Joy. Thankfully, Thomas House was able to open again in June, 2022 and will be offering a 3 day week until they are in a financial position to offer a full school week. At present, 12 students are attending.
HOW HAS BANGKOK PATANA SUPPORTED IT IN THE PAST?
For many years, Bangkok Patana has been sending groups of students to the Maekok River Village centre for Duke of Edinburgh International Award, Geography and community service trips. When Thomas House was first set up, a large quantity of recently-replaced Primary furniture was donated to Thomas House, saving significant funds. Christmas collections have increased the amount of quality books available to the students of Thomas House, and the recent funds raised during the Year 3 Timestable-athon and Friendship Friday went towards sponsoring students through university and new playground equipment which will soon be installed at the school.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Christmas cards made by a talented local student will go on sale before Christmas with proceeds going towards Thomas House. Check the Patana Newsletter for more information on where to purchase Christmas cards. Donations are also very welcome. You can contact Rosie and Bryan, who do a great job running Thomas House, at rosie@mrv-educationservices.com.