THE SCHOOL OF PROMISE, THAILAND

HELPS, HIS, CRUX, & SCHOOL OF PROMISE

In August Amy-Brock Devine introduced me to Joel and Marvel Vander Kooi, founders of Hope International Schools (HIS), and operators of The School of Promise; a Christ based school near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Currently the School of Promise is only for preschool through grade 6, however they have been granted permission to begin to add grades 7-12 in upcoming years. This is a big PRAISE; the challenge is that the facilities they are presently renting will not accommodate more than grade 8, perhaps 9. Because of this they have begun praying for funds to purchase and build a Secondary School facility, with the site sized large enough to accommodate a future Primary school so they will someday no longer need to rent their present facilities. HIS has teamed with Crux Community Design Studio (a ministry under the umbrella of Helps Ministry, which links with California Baptist University School of Architecture) to begin master planning and designing the new School of Promise Complex.  Following is more information regarding HIS and this school:

BREAKING THE CYCLE OF POVERTY AND OPPRESSION

Life in Thailand presents many risks for children, especially children in poverty. Human trafficking and forced prostitution are tragic realities. In addition, God’s love and forgiveness are largely unknown. Only six people out of a thousand know the love of Jesus. HIS started the School of Promise with the goal to break the cycle of poverty and oppression by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and providing excellent education to children and families in Hang Dong, Thailand (near Chiang Mai).

THE CHALLENGE

The School of Promise is an elementary school, educating students from preschool through  grade six. Upon graduation from grade six, students must find ways to continue their education elsewhere. The teen years are critical to developing a solid relationship with the Lord. We need to continue discipling students in these years. Middle school age is often the time in children’s lives when families push them to drop out of school. It is a very risky time of life in Thailand. We have been sought out by many 6th grade graduates from other schools who are seeking help to stay in school. Also, students often enter the School of Promise as older students who are not reading or doing math at grade level. This is due in part to draw of students from low-income families, but it is due also to overcrowding and neglect of special needs in the mainstream school system. The School of Promise needs more time with our students.

THE SOLUTION, COST, AND TIMELINE

HIS will work with the School of Promise to purchase land, build facilities, and start secondary school with capacity for 280 students. The cost of the project is $2,500,000. HIS will work with foundations, charitable organizations, businesses, churches, and individual donors to raise the funds and locate the appropriate site in 2017. The School of Promise will break ground for construction by December 2018 and open High School in May 2020.