Helping Single Thai Mothers Keep Their Babies

Volunteer Coordination at Wat Sankayom School
Apple, our Project Director, and volunteer Donna were warmly received by Wat Sankayom School. Challenges arose regarding a volunteer with another organization who has shown patterns of impatience, limited communication, and inconsistency in completing assigned responsibilities. He has at times left tasks unfinished without notifying colleagues, creating additional work for Donna and the school staff. Due to these ongoing issues, the school director decided it would be best for the other volunteer to discontinue his involvement. The director expressed appreciation for the reliability, teamwork, and professionalism consistently demonstrated by the HOS staff and volunteers.

Evaluation and Team Collaboration
The school director participated in an evaluation of the HOS team supporting the school. He observed that the team communicates openly, collaborates effectively, and encourages the exchange of ideas regardless of age or position. He was particularly impressed with the team’s clear focus on student engagement and effective teaching practices. This experience motivated him to encourage his teachers to adopt similar approaches to communication and teamwork.

Visit to Somchai’s Family
The team visited the family of Somchai, a child with special needs, to deliver some rice and household staples, and follow up on his development. Somchai has previously received medical support that has improved his ability to participate in classroom activities. Although he is nonverbal, he is now able to communicate using sign language when focused. 

Director’s Birthday Acknowledgment
HOS organized a small birthday acknowledgment for the school director, including a cake and gift. The occasion also provided an opportunity to discuss differing cultural perspectives on birthday observances. 

Community Engagement with Teacher Chaba
Teacher Chaba, a senior teacher at the school, invited Apple and Donna to her home in the local community. She warmly welcomed them and shared refreshments she had prepared. The visit helped strengthen professional relationships and provided an opportunity for informal discussion. She noted that she had previously had limited interaction with outside community organizations but has observed the team’s dedication and positive attitude during their work at the school.

ConclusionOverall, HOS has had a strong positive impact on Wat Sankayom School. The team’s consistent presence, professional conduct, and student-centered focus have strengthened trust between the school leadership and HOS. Staff have observed improved collaboration, more open communication, and increased motivation among teachers and volunteers. Through targeted support for students with additional needs, engagement with families, and meaningful relationship-building within the school community, HOS has contributed to a more supportive and effective learning environment.

When the school year started, we went to visit and distribute fruit and snacks to the children at the Wat Sankayom School. The children were a little apprehensive at first.  Praise God that we have been able to develop relationships with them, and to show love in action.  Once they got to know us, we were warmly welcomed by the teachers and Director.

Three children from our daycare graduated to the school's kindergarten class. These children had not been able to continue with the after school care program because their working parents could not pick them up from school on time.  Because of our staff's connections with the teachers at the school, we arranged and were able to pick the children up from school so that they could continue with our after school care program at the village's community center, where we take care of them until their parents come to pick them up at 5:30.

One child who attends our daycare has ADHD, and had been previously abused. He received treatment, and in time, we saw great improvements in his behavior. For example, he used to bite and hurt his caregivers, who incurred physical wounds as a result of his behavior, and sometimes his caregivers would be at the point of being tearful. Our staff strives to maintain empathy and patience, and to set an example; we strive to emulate God's love. We decided to take the child's caregivers with us to the Rajanagarindra Institute for examination, until his behavior improved because of the treatments he received there. Then his caregivers progressed from being tearful because of this child's challenging behavior to being able to bring him to his appointments at the Institute as needed. We are so appreciative that this student can now go to school and get along well with the other children, and is making friends with them. His has also shown kindness with helping the teachers, and has received a lot of praise from the school.

Thank you for your wonderful support and partnership in helping keep families together!