While a single pencil may not seem that special, in rural parts of Southeast Asia it’s a simple instrument that can unlock a child’s education. With this in mind, Pencils for Kids, Inc. is dedicated to providing basic school supplies to communities in need in Bali, Thailand and Myanmar giving kids the tools they need to continue their schooling.
This year, the American organisation is celebrating its 10th anniversary and Diethelm Travel Thailand recently joined the team for a school supply drop in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Using supplies that were donated or purchased through monetary donations, Pencils for Kids had the task of hand delivering backpacks filled with essential school supplies, such as pencils, notebooks, crayons and uniforms, to nearly 1,000 students studying at 10 different schools around Chiang Rai. To help make the deliveries, Diethelm Travel supplied the transport with a passenger van and driver. The project was certainly a group affair with support also from Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, which provided accommodation for the team while in Chiang Rai.
According to Pencils for Kids, the majority of children who attend the schools receiving supplies live in orphan homes or come from families who often earn as little as USD 1 a day. While a school uniform often costs around the equivalent of just $10, when a family has such low income, USD 10 is a significant expense. Not being able to afford uniforms and basic school supplies then affects a student’s ability to go to school and get the education they deserve.
This was the first year Diethelm Travel teamed up with the organisation, but we’re already committed to helping again during next year’s school supply drop and seeing how else we can support Pencils for Kids’ cause! To learn more about the organisation and their work in Southeast Asia, check out http://www.pencilsforkidsinc.com.