FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          CONTACT: Jane L. Anderson

jane.anderson@fulbright.org
(202) 347-5543

FULBRIGHT ALUMNI HELP THAI SCHOOLS IN TSUNAMI-AFFECTED AREAS; PORTABLE LIBRARIES ENCOURAGE READING & LEARNING ABOUT THE UNITED STATES

 

     WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 8, 2005) – Teachers from 30 schools in Krabi and Ranong, Thailand, areas devastated by the tsunami last December, will learn to use children’s books and art supplies to motivate students to read. At workshops this November, they will receive “portable libraries” each composed of Thai versions of books such as Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendek, The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, and The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Fisher.

     The portable libraries are supported by a gift from Fulbright alumni who contributed US$14,000. The Korean Fulbright Alumni Association initiated the relief efforts. The U.S. Fulbright Association organized the fund drive. The Fulbright organizations joined forces to help address long-term educational needs in areas affected by the tsunami. The Irish Fulbright Alumni Association, the Fulbright Association (Singapore), the Asociacion Fulbright de Costa Rica, and the Togo Fulbright Alumni Association also donated funds.

     The 65 participating teachers will also make children’s books from available resources and practice story telling. Their schools serve about 2,200 Thai children.

     Mrs. Somboon Singkamanan, a retired lecturer of Srinakharinwirot University and well-known expert on children’s literature, developed the concept of portable libraries, which won UNESCO’s International Board on Books Award for Young People in 1989.

     “Through this project, schools will benefit from receiving quality books while teachers will gain knowledge in teaching reading. Students will also learn more about U.S. culture,” said Mrs. Shim Jai Ok, executive director of the Korean American Educational Commission, which administers Fulbright exchanges in Korea.

     “Very important to the worldwide Fulbright alumni movement which supports this initiative are the plans of Thai alumni to visit the participating schools and help with reading activities,” said Ms. Jane L. Anderson, executive director of the Fulbright Association in Washington, D.C. “We applaud the Thai alumni’s plans to make the portable library project an annual program so alumni can visit schools to promote reading and English language teaching.”

     Ms. Prayad Sriboonchoo, national coordinator of UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project, in Krabi, Thailand, will coordinate there. Prof. Michael Dean will represent the Thailand-U.S. Educational Foundation (TUSEF) Board of Directors while Ms. Pissmai Kanobdee, vice president of the Thai Fulbright Association, will represent the Thai Fulbright alumni. Ms. Porntip Kanjananiyot, TUSEF executive director, has provided international coordination.

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