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Abstract: We are working towards providing several
forms of services in an underserved region of Thailand,
specifically
Khao
Lak. One of the key forms of services that we intend
to offer at the center will be English instruction,
vocational training and
vocational education. Included with this proposal is
our outline for services which follows several American
models such as the the Japanese American Cultural Community
Center of Los Angeles and the Community College Community
Services programs. A detailed justification for each
of these programs are documented below with a focus
on educational solutions for industries that were destroyed
by the Tsunami of 2004.
After consulting with the community leaders and coordinating
with other NGOs, we have revised our wishlist for future
projects. This is our current revised project outcomes
for TCF.
Current Milestones
1. With the help of the Mike Simms Family Foundation,
TCF has been actively involved in Khuk Khak School.
This school currently serves 400 students, and a large
percentage of the student body were directly impacted
by the Tsunami.
- We have paid for the electrical infrastructure
of the Language Lab and Computer Labs. These facilities
were built, but they were never supplied with the
necessary powerlines.
- We support early childhood education in Khuk Khak
school. We are the funding source for their Kindergarten
program.
- We
advise the school's administration in regards to academic
programming and other student related
issues.
Long Term Projects.
We are working towards offering several educational
services:
1. English as a Second Language
Program (Ongoing)
a. Improving the instructional quality of our target
school.
b. Integrate more conversational English into the
curricullum.
2. Vocational Training Programs
(Pending Funding)
a. Culinary Arts
Program
b. Organic Farming
Program
c. Hotel/Resort
Hospitality Training Program
3. Computer Skills Training
Classes (Beginning classes have been initiated
by the Khuk Khak instructors.)
a. Introduction to Computers
i.
Basics
ii.
E-Mail
iii.
Internet
b. Introduction to Windows
c. Introduction to Mac OS
d. Introduction to Microsoft
Office
Progress
1. English Instruction has been greatly improved
at Khuk Khak school. TCF is actively working with
the Princeton
in Asia fellows and other instructors
in order to improve the overall quality of English
instruction in the region. In terms of educational
programming, this area has been the most important
project of TCF's Board of Directors. Additionally, we have been able to work with Yaowawit
School.
2. Vocational Training Program proposals are still
pending. Because of the high cost of such programs,
we are
focusing the majority of our resources towards English
instruction.
- The Culinary Arts Program. This is designed to retrain
people who wish to transition from previous careers
heavily disrupted by the disaster. Under the management
of Tommy Tang, this program will train each participant
to work in the Hotel and Tourist Industry. Once certified,
graduates can be placed in various hotels and restaurants
within the region. Certification in Thai Cuisine will
also be offered, but emphasis will be placed on a
more global overview of cuisines in order to allow
easy placement in Tourism focused industries.
- The Organic Farming Program: This is designed to
retrain people who wish to leave the fishing industry
into the farm industry. Because of the sensitive ecological
issues surrounding farming and deforestation, we will
emphasize environmentally sensitive forms of farming
which can maximize yields but also maintain the ecological
longevity of the region. Multiple crop usage and chemical
free fertilizers (composting) are several issues to
be resolved as well. We intend to bring volunteers
from various universities to help train the people
to farm.
- · The Hotel/Resort Hospitality Program: This
is designed to help people obtain jobs in the area
hotels and resort facilities. Cultural awareness training
will be offered in order for the participants to become
familiar with various internationals. Various requirements
of the regional hotels will be outlined and defined
for the participants long before they attempt to apply
for a position. The purpose of the program is to offer
another income base possibility, and the tourist industry
is one of the largest employers in the region.
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- We currently are designing a program which will
follow ESL program structures for Conversational English
in the United States. This program is specifically
designed to help participants in the Vocational Training
Programs. Our goal is to create a pool of employees
and a general population fluent in the English language
which should be a significant asset for the job market
in the region which is heavily biased towards the
tourist industry. Additional job opportunities would
be available to individuals who have a bilingual capability.
A sequenced program is what we would like to institute
with a heavy emphasis on both conversational and writing.
Student learning outcomes will be designated.
3. Computer Skills Training Program
- Computer skills are being taught in Khuk Khak using
the instructors with some computer knowledge. We
are working within the curriculum structure of the
school in order to offer our services.
I
Summary
TCF has decided to focus heavily on supporting
the development of English instruction at the P and M grade
levels in our target school. We are reviewing potential
plans for a vocational training program, and we are currently
developing an action plan to make at least of few of our
initial proposals a reality. This of course depends on
funding and the location of appropriate staff. Computer
instruction has been active at Khuk Khak.
It is our hope that
we can create an educated population of English speaking
Thai young adults.
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