February 19, 2008
Consulate-General of Japan in Chiang Mai
The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme (GGP), provided funds amounting to 3,608,900 baht for a project entitled "Construction of a Dormitory for Hill Tribe Students in Maejam District, Chiang Mai Province" in fiscal year 2006, and the inauguration ceremony of the dormitory and bathroom for girls was held on February 14, 2008. Mrs. Junko Yokota, Consul-General of Japan in Chiang Mai, Mr. Deerek Namwongse, Assistant District Chief Officer of Maejam District, Mr. Adisorn Sithiwangkul,, Director of Wat Chan Royal Development Project, Rev. Boon-it Burapawong, Chairperson of Christian Service Foundation, Dr. Boonmee Supakarapongkul, Chairperson of Baptist Education Foundation, and Mr. Kajorn Lopusan, Chairman of Sahamitvitaya School (established as a private school that is governed by Baptist education foundation in 1996, and it has 334 boys, 379 girls and total 713 students) , were present at the ceremony.
In the mountainous area of Northern Thailand, many underprivileged hill tribe children do not have the opportunity to receive a formal education because they can not afford the school fees and live in remote highland areas far away from the schools. If these hill tribe children do not manage to continue their studies to junior high or high school level, they are forced to accept lower paid jobs, and even risk being forced into the sex industry.
Sahamitvitaya School is a boarding school at secondary level receiving underprivileged hill tribe children, while preschool and primary schools are also being set up. The school was established with the aim of giving hill tribe children an opportunity to proceed to higher education, obtain better jobs, and live more self-reliant lives. The school gives priority to underprivileged children who live in the provincial border area between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son. However, the school dormitories are already full, and it can not accept those children any more.
In response to a request from Sahamitvitaya School, the Government of Japan bore the construction cost of a dormitory and bathroom for girls at secondary level. It is expected that this will enable hill tribe children living in marginal highland areas to receive a secondary education in an appropriate environment, and contribute to supporting hill tribe people in living more self-reliant lives. The Government of Japan is willing to provide assistance to projects which help to expand educational opportunities and improve school facilities.
