New Isara Scholarships

[PK]

This morning Isara went to a nearby college and helped four Thai students (Guay, Dow, Thom, and Jip) register for their first school term. Isara will pay for their tuition, books, and uniforms, until they graduate in three years (that is, if they maintain a good GPA, occasionally help with Isara charity projects, and always wear their motorcycle helmets - lol). The students will be majoring in computers.



After registering the students were given a quick tour of the campus.

 

These scholarships were made possible by YOUR visits to Isara.org during the month of January. All of the students wanted me to tell you how much they appreciate your support and the opportunity to continue their education.

pk

[thartley]

Four more lives with new opportunities! 

Congratulations!

Good luck and study hard...

 

[Stasven]

It's nice to know that these people rely on me for scholarships!
*voice mutters* "you know, there are a lot of people visiting Isara, it's not just-"

All me...

[Ginafish]

What a great scholarship program! That's awesome that they can start school and not worry about uniforms (or helmets) and books! And tuition too! WOoHoo! How exciting for them! I hope you'll update us with their pictures after the terms are up.

And thank you fellow Isara users! You are all doing great things!

[Soulessaint]

Congratulations students, this is great news!!!! Be blessed. Gbya

[DaniNole]

Wow! How awesome! You guys are doing a great thing  and I'm glad to help. After all, I start college in June and I wish a charity would help me out lol

[varoon5]

sweet, i suppose i have some sort of tiny contribution to that so far...

[PK]

sweet, i suppose i have some sort of tiny contribution to that so far...

Yes, you did. And we've got 3-4 more scholarships we'll be giving in the next few weeks so keep on surfing!

Thanks for signing up, varoon5 (cool name).

[Stasven]

sweet, i suppose i have some sort of tiny contribution to that so far...

Bollocks! IT WAS ALL ME!

[lambie83]

Exciting!  Love the photos

[Ming]

Thank you Isara and everyone for your supporting and helping Thai students. We are really appreciated all of your kindness. Khobkoon kha.
And thanks for the photos the student and their parents look very happy for this great opportunity.
Good job Isara!

[PK]

Today we paid for two more scholarships. This time to a brother and sister. Some of you might remember Nok from when she had an internship at the ILC last year. We've always known that Nok was a good student, so when we heard that she wouldn't be able to go to college, because her family couldn't afford it, we had to step-in to help.

Her 15 year-old brother, Beb, was also needing help with his High School tuition costs (or else he would have to quit and become a monk) so Isara decided to take care of those expenses as well.



As always, both Nok and Beb had to play me in Ping Pong first, and allow me to win, before receiving the scholarships. Good job!!

We will be giving 6 more scholarships this next week. Thanks to everyone who supports Isara!!!
pk

[thartley]

Excellent! Glad they could let you win......   

Ever had to go best two out of three?

[PK]

Today was a great day!

One of the administrators at a local college told us about seven students who wanted to continue their education but could not afford it so we arranged to meet with the students. This morning Isara went to a small school outside of Nong Khai and met with the 7 students and their 5 (VERY friendly) teachers. (First Photo - back row: Nam, Jon, Nan, Jak, Kwan, Kom, and Beer)



After the meeting Isara went back to the college and paid for all their tuitions and uniforms.



Isara has given scholarships to 13 students already this year. Thank you EVERYONE who visits Isara.org. You made this happen!!!!
pk

P.S. Unlike the previous scholarship winners, these students did not need to play me in Ping Pong first. I just gave them the benefit of the doubt that I'd win.

[Ginafish]

That was a GREAT day!

Ya know, if they don't have to let you win at Ping Pong, maybe they could at least be first call volunteers for putting on helmet stickers, or donations or flyer duty, just a couple of hours each term? Hmm....

[KitKat]

A Great Day indeed!!

[PK]

Ya know, if they don't have to let you win at Ping Pong, maybe they could at least be first call volunteers for putting on helmet stickers, or donations or flyer duty, just a couple of hours each term? Hmm....

Thanks, Ginafish. When we meet with the students we invite them to help with Isara community projects and we also request that they wear a helmet when driving to school on their motorcycle.

We still have two more scholarships to give.

[Ming]

More scholarships wow. I'm sure the students appreciate all your help. You're giving them great opportunities. Pics look good!

[Betty]

 pk I think your scholarship program is so special!  I know everyone must feel so proud to think that their clicks are helping to further the education for these students who otherwise may never have that opportunity!  Congratulations to all of the Scholarship recipients!  Also, Thank you for all that you have done for my son, Sean.  He speaks so highly of Isara!

[thartley]

I have a renewed appreciation for this particular scholarship program.  I knew we were doing something great by helping these young people get an education they may not have the opportunity to get otherwise, but something else has come to light for me.

Ever since committing to going overseas and working with Isara, I have been experiencing a HUGE number of events that just serve to further my resolve to make a difference with the gift of time and resources I have been given. 

I know PK has made some attempts in the past at bringing to light the awful problem of prostitution and pornography in the more "developed" parts of Thailand, and trying to get the law enforcement personnel to take some action against it, and has been met with both rejection and in some cases, full denial that the problem even exists.  Our scholarship program is giving these young people a chance at having an education so that such a life is not among the options that might otherwise be considered.  The smaller children we teach English to at the ILC will benefit from greater opportunities later simply because they know English.  Its a plus in their favor when looking for work. 

Its just my opinion that the more young kids we reach and teach and educate, the more people we are diverting from the grasp of the unscrupulous predators that can be waiting on some of them. I know we can't reach all of them, but even if only one life is put on a better path because of what we do, we can count that as a success.  the best way to beat the sick system that feeds on these young kids is to staunch their supply of victims. 

And education can do that.

ok, off the soapbox for me.

[PK]

thartley - My thoughts exactly. If you don't mind, I'd like for you to be Isara's Public Speaker and Editor. Because you say/write what I want to say/write but your words are much more gooder.

[thartley]

I will compromise and agree to be your speech writer. LOL!!! 

Speaking of the scholarships, do you thin we could get some follow-up on some of the past recipients?  How are they doing now?  I remember the one guy who was going to automotive or motorcycle repair tech school (or something?).  I'd love to see the progress these young people are making.

How about some interviews?

[Ginafish]

thartley, be careful! You might create too much of an agenda for your Thai visit. Be sure and state "Pk, it'd be great if YOU would do follow up visits with the scholarship recipients." And yes, I'd like to see how these scholarships have helped. It's make the documentary more better.

[PK]

This morning we were invited to a school orientation where many of our Isara Scholarship recipients are beginning their classes next week.



Before we left we were introduced to two more students who were in desperate need of help. After hearing about their situation we didn't hesitate to give them scholarships as well ($50 each).

In the next few weeks we will give four more scholarships (bringing the total to 16). Thank you to everyone who supports Isara (and these scholarships) with your clicks and visits. Keep on surfing and keep making a difference!

[wendygirl]

I love hearing about all the scholarships being given.  It is great to be able to help those who want an education to get it.  Keep up the great work!