During
the tsunami on December 26, 2004, the Ban Bangsak School community suffered
the most severe damage. The school buildings were destroyed by the giant
waves leaving only the flagpole as a reminder of where the structure once
stood. A number of children and parents died, people were left homeless
and children became orphans. The devastation in the Khao Lak region was
the worst in Thailand. Over 8,000 people died that morning.
Rebuilding the Ban Bangsak School was a massive and collaborative endeavor. The King of Thailand’s Rajaprajanugroh Foundation oversaw the project and soldiers from the Thai army provided the labor for the construction of the school. Under the Royal Patronage, the school’s name was changed to “The 35th Rajaprajanugroh School” (R35), which means mutual help and support between the King and the people.
On April 8th, 2005, the school re-opened. Classes are now being conducted for grades K-12. The majority of the students sleep in the school dormitories where a family system is used. The older children care for the younger children. Approximately one third of these students were orphaned since the tsunami and the other two thirds were affected by the tsunami and/or poverty.
Following the construction of the new school, the International
School of Bangkok (ISB) Tsunami Relief Network and After The Wave raised
funds to sponsor among other things, an English as a Second Language (ESL)
teacher project. Because tourism is a major employment sector in the Khao
Lak area, English language skills will enable these students to find viable
work. Since its inception, the ESL project has quickly flourished into a
network of creative and highly qualified volunteers. The R35 ESL Experience
volunteers now teach English to approximately 1000 students at R35.
The
R35 ESL Experience volunteer program believes that the children of Bangsak
deserve the best possible educational opportunities. Acquiring English language
skills will open many doors in their future. We intend to build long-term
relationships with this community and offer continuing support over time.
Our aim from the beginning has been to make a significant difference in
the lives of the poorest children who suffered.