British Pakistani Christian Association is calling for more support for their under the radar school for asylum seekers in Thailand. The current school
has grown beyond capacity and after his recent visit to the school, Pastor Nadeem has asked Wilson Chowdhry to facilitate a further classroom to cover
the burgeoning demand.
The current facility provides two classrooms, one for primary aged children and one for secondary aged children. However the teachers believe
students will benefit from further classroom division by age into the following categories: 3 – 7 years, 8 – 12 years, and 13 – 17 years.
The cost is prohibitive however and the BPCA require further donations to cover the costs for room hire £60 per month, additional, books, chairs,
and desks £1200 and further books £400.
BPCA is currently paying 4 teachers a salary of £40 per month this enables them to pay their monthly rent. The additional classroom will require
a further two teachers which will enable two new staff members to pay their rent without fear and will ensure children obtain a good education.
Currently over 50 students are regularly attending the school and a waiting list in excess of 25 are waiting to join after the school reopens post-Songkhran
holidays (Thai new year). However, the BPCA will not be able to offer these places unless we are able to secure the funding for the school.
Students attending the school are provided a wide-ranging syllabus through on-line study programs and classroom-based-learning. Curriculum subjects
include; English, Mathematics, Science, Computer studies, Art and Bible studies. All children attending are also required to attend a Christian
assembly every morning.
Most of the current students have been attending for over 6 months now and teachers have been using formative assessments of student progress throughout
this period. However examinations will be held at the end of the year as part of a summative assessment that will permit parents to fully understand
the progress made by their children.
8) Azra Sohail, principal of the BPCA school, spoke with BPCA’s Christian Malik who overlooks the school and is currently taking 2 English classes
in a week. She told him:
“Our children had no opportunity to go to school before the BPCA intervened. Now it’s possible for them to attend school at their doorstep so
parents are really committed to the project as they feel their children are safe. Many fear leaving our condominium due to the potential for
arrest.”
She added:
“The children are progressing well they come to classes excited to be able to learn, their lives were full of boredom and frustration before but they are now able to channel their energies towards something that benefits them. They realise this and it has given them a real passion for the learning process. The monthly salary I receive allows me to pay my monthly rent. My husband still has to work illegally but we have much better stability. I was a professional teacher in Pakistan and am not used to such poverty but life is more important then wealth and survival became our priority.”
Sameer Saleem (12 years), a student at the school, said:
I’m very blessed to go to school. The teachers give me a lot of homework” he explained with a grin on his face,”My parents are happy because they don’t have to pay for it and I’m getting the same education as I was getting in Pakistan. The teachers are very nice and cooperative and I’m thankful to Jesus that he has given me this opportunity despite the severe difficulties we face in our life as asylum seekers.”
Vishal (9 years) a student, said:
“I am very happy that I can study, the teachers are extremely nice and helpful.”
Please Pray:
- For our school to be funded and staffed well past the intial year that we have planned for and for the funding for the additional classroom to materialise.
- That God will sustain and bless the teaching staff who are developing the young minds at our school..
- That the families seeking asylum will have enough money for food, clothing and shelter and the children can come and learn in safety with no distractions.
- For asylum applications to be processed and for refugees to be able to resettle to other countries much quicker.
- For the Thai authorities to recognise Pak-Christians as asylum seekers and stop imprisoning and detaining them.
- That refugee and asylum families could draw near to the Lord and one another for comfort and would not despair.
- Please will you help us to ease the burdens of these refugees and asylum seekers in Thailand? Your gift really can make a difference.
Children learn through a variety of interactive teaching aids and student-centred sessions
This teacher uses a white board to reinforce learning.
Children happily studying at our school more space is desperately needed.