Chiang Rai On the way to school

Inauguration of Huay Kuk Primary School March 6, 2010

On March 6, 2010, the Pistorio Foundation inaugurated the construction of its second Primary School in Thailand, benefitting yet another hill-tribe village in Chiang Rai.

New Six Classroom Primary School of Huay Kuk
New Six Classroom Primary School of Huay Kuk

The six classroom school, comprising additionally of a teacher’s room and sanitation facilities, was opened in the Hmong hill-tribe village of Huay Kuk in May 2009. The school caters to three villages, including that of Huay Kuk, for a total population of 828 villagers. The school can hold up to 200 students. Over 110 students are currently enrolled and the school should run in full capacity within the next two years. The school is powered by solar panels donated by third parties. The village is in the North East of Chiang Rai, on the border with Laos, a region that  is controlled by the Thai Border Patrol Police.

Ribbon cutting by Mr Pasquale Pistorio, Elena Pistorio, and Thai Border Patrol Police Lieutenant Don Somkown
Foundation volunteers Sarah Meisch and supporter Valérie Poncato planting banana trees. A total of 30 banana trees in front of the school were planted that day
Ribbon cutting by Mr Pasquale Pistorio, Elena Pistorio, and Thai Border Patrol Police Lieutenant Don  Somkown Foundation volunteers Sarah Meisch and supporter Valérie Poncato planting banana trees. A total of 30 banana trees in front of the school were planted that day.


Huay Kuk school students playing soccer outdoors
Huay Kuk school students playing soccer outdoors

Present at the inauguration ceremony were Mr Pasquale Pistorio, Elena Pistorio, Country Project Manager Lino Battan, and long time Foundation supporters, François Guibert and Valérie Poncato and Foundation volunteers Sarah Meisch and Gianluca Lionetto. Local partner representative, Brother Gianni dalla Rizza, and Operations Manager Chiwarat Dunensee, were also present, as well as a number of local administrative and education authorities among which Mr Praseart Jitplicheep, District Chief Officer; headmaster Mr. San Luacha, Chief Executive of the Sub-district Administrative Organization (SAO) of Por; Mr. Gaha Sae-VyueVillage Head of Ban Huaykuk, Police Lieutenant Don Somkown, Head Master of Ban Huaykuk School.

School Administration Staff and Teachers and Village Head
School Administration Staff and Teachers and Village Head

During the inauguration, 30 banana trees were planted by participants and we were all pleased to witness that the land surrounding the school and nearby the school has been cultivated by students to provide for the grains and vegetables for their meals in school.  The students are taught by the teachers how to cultivate the land and grow crops.  They are in fact self-sufficient in terms of crops and produce needed for the preparation of the school meals.

View of the hills from the school. The land around the school is cultivated by students and the produce used for the preparation of school meals. The land around the school is cultivated by students and the produce used for the preparation of school meals.
 
View of the hills from the school.


Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Strover

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Hilltribe Villages

Hilltribe Villages
Hilltribe Villages
(Photos Courtesy of Carolyn Strover)