Educate at-risk girls, end poverty cycle: Thailand

Happy New Year to you, Dhammajarinee’s dear supporter, who shares our common mission to provide free quality education to at-risk young women. Dhammajarinee is deeply grateful to you for continuing to provide a safe home and life-changing education to all the girls. You are enabling them to grow in their full inner and outer potential and you helped make 2023 a remarkable year of development. The achievements have been many.  Below we highlight some recent ones.

What’s going on in the new MakeHerSpace?

This delightful video gives a glimpse of the exciting transformation of a refurbished storage shed into a STEM makerspace, being called the “MakeHerSpace.” You will see how the students are fully using it to develop a very wide range of advanced technology and STEM skills. The makerspace was fully equipped and funded by a generous grant from SC Johnson and designed by Dr. Stuart Kohlhagen, who made this video for the girls’ and our enjoyment. The use of technology and coding to design and develop the toys and robots shown in the video are just the beginning. The students see the power of these 21st century skills for their own careers and contribution to society.

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2tjGiFXCic

Inspired by the new MakeHerSpace, Microsoft donated 14 laptops for the room, which form the basis of the digital design lab where the students will learn 3D modeling and animation, graphic design, data manipulation, video and music editing and composition, coding, and app development. See below for images.

English Progress with Solve Education!

Since May of this year, DWS has been running Solve Education’s “Dawn of Civilization” English program for the primary school. The program is a game, which incorporates AI to help detect what lessons the learners have missed and forgotten so they can master key skills, including language, faster and more effectively. Students improved an average of 26% in vocabulary, grammar, and 21% in reading. Even more exciting is that the improvements rise with time spent playing the game; there was an average of 40% improvement for students playing 100 mini games or more.

In November, grades 7–12 began using Solve Education’s English program along with Voxy English. With all DWS using the Solve Education platform, we will have a standardized, robust reporting system for English language learning that can be utilized throughout the entire school.

Inauguration of Four-Story Multipurpose Building

Dhammajarinee’s new four-story multipurpose building, made possible through generous funding from two outstanding donors, will serve many needs of the school, including elementary and high school classrooms, a digital library, and a music room.

DWS joins hands with many universities

- Teachers from Khao Yoi Vocational College will instruct DWS students in a range of in-demand skills, including graphic design and presentation, video editing, installing computer operating systems, repairing computers, business and accounting, as well as pastry making and traditional Thai handicrafts

- University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce will train DWS teachers in the High Scope approach for kindergarten. This includes the principles of active learning, positive adult-child interactions, a child-friendly learning environment, a consistent daily routine, and team-based assessment.

- Panyapiwat Institute of Management (PIM) provided training for DWS teachers in a broad range of college-level courses including technology, engineering and robotics, innovative agricultural management, nursing, business English, and business Chinese. DWS upper level students can enroll in these courses and earn up to six units of college credits that can be applied to a university degree at PIM.

- Ratchaburi Polytechnic College teaches vocational skills to DWS students, including artificial intelligence, traditional Thai handicrafts, and beautician work.

- Through a partnership with the Institute for Researcher and Development in Teaching Profession for ASEAN at Khon Kaen University, DWS students learn mathematics according to the Open Approach. The Open Approach simultaneously fosters creative activities of the students as well as mathematical thinking in solving problems.

World of Difference Award

Dhammajarinees Director Acharn Yai has received The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World of Difference Award under the Education category. This yearly, prestigious award recognizes extraordinary individuals worldwide who have contributed to the economic empowerment of women.

Thanking you in this video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e1nA1QzfoI

In this video, Sarah Bence, the new highly qualified Director of Development at Dhammajarinee wishes to thank all of Dhammajarinees donors for their generous support. Sarah brings an extensive working background in nonprofits and philanthropy—including the areas of human rights, social entrepreneurship, girls' equality, girls’ education, meditation and mental health, and homelessness.

From all of us at Dhammajarinee, we send our sincere gratitude and best wishes for the New Year!