Having spent much of the first half of the Rotary year in fundraising, the Rotary Club deemed it time to spend its hard won funds where it was needed most, in helping Temple Schools. With awareness that Wat Jaeng had been a very large and demanding project, it was felt that it was time to move on and see where help was needed elsewhere.
Rotarian Nicolas Emmert suggested the school behind Wat Kunaram, where the Mummified Monk can be found, should be investigated. With the help of his wife, Tad, to assist with translation, he visited the school, and spoke with the Headmaster, Khun Watana, and some of his staff. The Headmaster was proud of his small school of 140 students, but spoke of problems with flooding in the kitchen area when it rained, and also pointed out that the play area could be enhanced. Khun Watana was invited to speak directly to the Rotary Club at one of its meetings, and he put his case eloquently to members, with the help of a photo slideshow. The Headmaster also appealed for help with the purchase of computers so that children could benefit from learning packages. Within a very short space of time, the Club had agreed unanimously to support this worthwhile project. Rotarian Mike Langaskens of Profmil met with Nicolas soon afterwards to assess the structural needs of the school. It was decided that it would be more advisable to rebuild the kitchen as its structure was not sound and it was also too small for its purpose. We are currently awaiting costing for this project.

Other schools are also in the process of being investigated for possible ‘adoption’.