for Education in Asia

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A face-to-face initiative connecting you to a child in Thailand or Laos.
Your donation of only 10,000 yen can send one child to school for a full year!
 
 

First Scholarship Student "Darunee" & Terumasa AKIO (1987)
 

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How it all began?:

    In spring 1987, Darunee, a bright girl living in a rural Thai village, turned seven. She was about to finish first grade. She had many exciting plans for the future.

    Education is compulsory in Thailand only through the sixth grade. There is a middle school in her village, but its doors were locked to Darunee. The cost of future schooling was insumountable for her family. What lay in store for Darunee after elementary school wa  what has always awaited poor children from such villages: working in the field, fetching water, caring for her siblings, tending the home. For other children her age, precarious farming conditions in the area might make a living wage impossible for their families; the children may have to travel to Bangkok to work under heartbreaking conditions.

    The northeast of Thailand is the poorest region in the country. Paradoxically, the industrial and commercial development which has brought such growth to the big cities has served to worest the plight of rual Thai villages as young people like Darunee are often forced to leave home to survive.

    In Darunee's case, things have turned out differently. In 1987, at the invitation of Thai students actively involved in international education, President of Minsai Center, Terumasa AKIO, visited noetheast Thailand and by chance met little Darunee. He was impressed by her desire for education. This meeting inspired the Darunee Scholarship Program. The name symbolized our hope that many children will have the opportunity to obtain education. The scholarships provide a real chance of a better life not only for Darunee but for her whole generation.

　This page is constructed for English speaker living in Niigata-city and suburb. If you wish to donate to "Darunee-Fund", and if you live in Niigata-city area, please have a contact with us by an e-mail (niidaren@mail.goo.ne.jp). 10,000 yen supports one student in Isan Thailand and Laos for their all school expenses during an entire year. We (Niidaren) will be able to help you to arrange your application of Darunee-Fund and others. If you live in other areas, you are encouraged to make contact with Minsai Center, Tokyo for an information of Darunee-Fund by a telephone  mail, e-mail or Fax. See below (Eng & Jpn);
 

• E-mail address: info@minsai.org
• Mail Address: Minsai  Center, Tsukasa Bldg. 301, 518 Wasedatsurumakicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo   162-0041 (日本民際交流センター、〒162-0041  東京都新宿区早稲田鶴巻町518　司ビル301)
• TEL: +81-3-5292-3260,  FAX: +81-3-5292-3510

　Darunee-Fund supports the education of children in rural Thailand (Isan) and Laos through program matching the individual students with scholarships provided by the individual donors.

　When we receive your donation, we will forward your name and the scholarship amount to Minsai Center, Tokyo. The screening process in the schools takes place from November to April, and the final matching between students and donors occurs in April. Donations must be received by March 20th to be used in May. The school year begins in May in Thailand, and in June and July the matching information is sent to the Minsai Center, Tokyo. You will receive the packet of information describing your student by August. In addition, you will receive regular newsletters (Japanese version) updating you on the scholarship program and other activities of the Minsai Center, Tokyo.

        Scholars are children who, due to financial difficulty, cannot attend school. They are chosen on the basis of need, not academic performance, by a screening comittee that includes local teachers who are aware of which students are in need.

How fund are used?

       The fund are administered differently in Thailand and Laos. However, in both countries, Bath 1,500 (Baht=Thai currency)is also used for administration purpose in each country. The remaining funds, are used to support schools and communities to improve educational environment.

      Thailand: To ensure the money is used for education, funds are deposited directly into the scholar's bank account. These funds cannot be withdrown without the living signatures of the scholars and her/his scholarship supervisor.

      Laos: Due to Laos' banking system, 90% of scholarship are used to buy school supplies directly. So, students receive the supplies, not money.  10% of the funds are used for school equipment and special classes.

250 miswritten official post cards are worth a one-year scholarship for one child. You can send such post cards, regardless of quantity, to the Minsai Center Tokyo.

Scholarship Types:

•     A    : One-time donation of 30,000 Yen to provide a three-years scholarship for one child.　　　　
•      B    : Annual donation of 10,000 Yen for 3 years to provide a scholarship for one child.
•      C    : One-time donation of 10,000 Yen to support one child for one year.

　The page of frequently asked questions and answers (Q & A) is also available!

　If you wish to know about Darunee-Fund in more detail, you are recommended to visit the URL (Asiamerica Foundation) address below；

  E-mail: niidaren@mail.goo.ne.jp