Location
Ban Klang, Wang Thon, Phitsanulok, Thailand
Community Description
Ban Klang is one of the largest sub-districts in Thailand and is located in the district of Wang Thong in the province of Phitsanulok in the Lower North of Thailand. Ban Klang has 27 villages within a 326 square kilometer area with an approximate population of 20,000 people. The average household income ranges between 18,000 to 56,000 THB (600 – 1,800 USD) per year.
Geographically Ban Klang is located in the Nan Basin which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. It is a raised valley basin surrounded by tall rolling hills on almost every side.
The Ban Mai Chai Jayrin Day Care serves two communities: Ban Mai Chai Jayrin (population 680) and Ban Mai Chai Mongkhon (population 1079). The rural villages are considered low-income communities with an average income for households at 40,000 – 45,000 THB (1,300 – 1,500 USD) per year. The main source of employment for community members is farming the various crops in the area, which include rice, corn, rubber, and mangoes.
Like many rural Thai communities, there is a deficit of jobs within the village forcing many parents to work in larger cities. This leaves a population of older community members caring for the children. This causes educational institutions in the area, such as the day care and schools, to provide not only formal education but also basic life skills lessons.
The water comes from an underground system that supports the entire village. In addition to the village groundwater, they have a reserve water tank which is filled by the Local Administration Office with filtered water, as needed. Runoff water goes into a nearby agricultural field owned by the local administrative office and toilet waste water goes into underground concrete septic tanks.
Currently, there are no sinks, and the children use the same plastic buckets used for dishwashing to wash their hands and brush their teeth.
The bathrooms are old, rundown, and mildewy from the constant rain leakage. The squat toilets are adult-sized which is difficult for small children to use appropriately.
Project Description
This project is to renovate the two existing bathrooms at the Ban Mai Chai Jayrin Day Care.
This will include the installation of 2 children-sized sit-down toilets and 2 shower heads.
In addition, 3 sinks will be installed along the outer wall of the day care for hand washing. The sinks will be hooked up to the existing water supply and installed at a lower level for children. The waste will be directed to the existing sewage system.
The sinks will be used for hand washing before and after every meal as well as for brushing teeth after each meal. Children will be also allowed to shower at the school because many homes in the surrounding villages do not have running water.
Ceramic flooring will be replaced, and galvanized roofing sheet will be attached to the roof to prevent rainwater from leaking into the bathroom.
Project funds will be used to pay for labor and materials, including sinks, toilets, shower heads, basins, hoses, and roofing sheets.
The Sub-District Administration Office (SAO) will administer the project, purchasing the materials and, hiring local labor for installation.
Project Impact
The project will have an immediate benefit for the 50-day care children and 2 teachers. In addition, an estimated 100 parents, teacher assistants, visitors, and future children attending the day care will benefit.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Steven May
Comments
The day care is often the first and only place children are exposed to essential life skills, including proper hygiene. Thus, renovating the bathrooms, installing the sinks, and including shower heads is extremely important and will make a lasting impact in the lives of the children.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$555.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of Adrian and Kim Jacobs, of Myrtle Beach, SC, USA. The project is hereby designated the “Little Kimberly Jacobs Project”.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Steven May of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Steven and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.