PILC Gives Scholarships at Wat Nongkhetnoi

Wat Nongkhetnoi school is a short distance north-east of Pattaya.  The Wat itself is quite famous and many tourist buses stop to visit.  The Abbott at the Wat has a knack for getting the tourists to make donations.  This has allowed for the construction of beautiful school buildings on land beside the Wat.

  The school is for Kindergarten through Primary level education.  Students attending this school are from various economic backgrounds.  But, the students receiving scholarships are from the poorest families in the school area.  Many of the families are transient and move often due to the fact that they work construction or other jobs that keep them changing locations.  Many of the students are originally from Isan.

This year PILC (Pattaya International Ladies Club) provided scholarships to 20 students ranging in age from 6 to 14 years of age.  The children were all smiles and happy to see us when we arrived.  Judy Hoppe, Chairperson of the PILC Welfare Committee, and her teammates were greeted by Mr. Thanachai Wongsaroj, Director of the School, and Khun Areerat Weerasawat (Khun Toom), the lead teacher.  Also present were Sue and Peewee Cochlan who volunteer at the school, plus Trudy Nyssen and her guest Elaine, Melanie Davies and her daughter Emma, Dzenana Popin, and Johanna Seger from the PILC.

We enjoyed practicing our Thai with the children while they wanted to converse with us using their English skills.

The scholarships will go to help cover the costs not totally covered by the government nor the Wat.  Typical school expenses like uniforms, books and supplies.

Judy Hoppe