The Education Development Fund Foundation (EDF) launched the fundraising program “Save Drop Out Students” through Taejai.com crowdfunding website from March 1st to July 31st2022, with a goal of generating 412,500 baht to provide scholarships to 150 Mattayom 2 (Grade 8) and Mattayom 3 (Grade 9) students (2,000 baht each) in the northeastern region of Thailand’s small rural schools. At the end of the project, EDF was able to raise 414,904 baht and provided scholarships to 151 students.
Prior to providing the scholarships, EDF worked with both the educational service area offices and the relevant schools to help select the needy Mattayom 2 (Grade 8) and Mattayom 3 (Grade 9) students. Selection criteria was based on documents and verification regarding each case.
Initially, an applicant’s letter about himself or herself is submitted, together with photo of an applicant and his house as well as information regarding the student's family income, etc.
Once confirmed and verified, EDF’s scholarship department checked out each student's bank account information before transferring the scholarship fund (In some cases, it may be transferred to the bank account of the school first). Once the scholarship fund has been deposited into the student's bank account, the teachers in charge of the scholarship program scan the bank account page showing the amount received and send it to the foundation's scholarship system as an evidence.
Moreover, the teachers in charge of the scholarship work keep possession of students’ scholar bankbook to ensure that the scholarship funds are solely spent for educational purposes.
On September 25th 2022, EDF had completed the transfer of all scholarships funds to 151 students.
List of “Save Drop Out Students” project scholarship comprises 44 Mattayom 2 (Grade 8) and 107 Mattayom 3 (Grade 9) students.
Some interesting facts about scholarship students
Scholarship students’ age
Family status
Whom the students currently live with?
Sample of scholarship students
Ms. Supatra, Mathayom 3 (Grade 9), Ban Kae Yai School, Surin Province
“My family member includes my grandfather, grandmother, mother, elder brother and younger brother. My father and mother separated when I was in Grade 1. After that, my mother went to work in another province. Thus, I have lived with my grandparents whose income depended on hired farming.
When my brother grew up, he went to work in another province and sent us some money to help lighten up the burden on my family. When I was in Mattayom 1 (Grade 7), my mother returned home and took care of my younger brother, as my grandmother is very old and no longer healthy. My school allowance relies on my grandmother monthly elderly pension, which is not enough.
I tried to find some work so I do not depend of my grandmother for money but I could not as I am too young. I decided to sell snacks at school. The sale was good but I had to put less and less time on it as I had to focus more on studying, especially when school examination period is near.
If I were granted a scholarship, I would spend it for my education, such as buying school supplies and for other school expenses. I will give some to my grandmother for safekeeping for emergency cases. I would like to thank all the kind people who provide scholarships to poor students like me. Thank you very much.”
Mr. Apinan, Mathayom 2 (Grade 8), Ban Na Kham School, Bueng Kan Province
“Currently, I live with my father, stepmother and grandfather. Our family income is from rubber tapping. My grandfather is the main breadwinner but he is already old. My father cannot work much because of his crippled leg but he still takes on whatever odd jobs available. I always help my father to tap rubber trees after school.
Since the COVID-19 situation, the costs of daily supplies have been getting higher. We need to save even more for emergencies and for my further education. My father wants me to have a higher education so I can get good salary. He teaches me to be a good person and be helpful to others. In the future, I would like to have a stable job to help my family.
I hope that when you read this letter, you will consider providing me scholarship for my education. Thank you very much.”
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Khok khai khok yai wittaya school 
Ban koak lam duan school 
Ban buached school 
Ban pue school
Ban sa-no (pitayasueksa) school 
Ban nong jong long school
Rart pattana school 
Ban chumsaeng school
Ban lao luang tao tan school
