Hand to Hand

Project location: Pattaya

Number of children supported: 27

Type of support: Education- Scholarships for poor students

Period of support: Since 2017

The Hand to Hand Foundation was established by Margie Grainger as she was saddened by the number of children being placed in orphanages due to poverty.

Many of these children had families who loved them, but they simply could not afford to educate, feed and clothe them. The parents believed the only hope for a positive future for their child was to leave them at an orphanage who would provide ‘everything’ they needed.

In 2010, Margie, Pai and Mon began to do whatever they could to keep these children in their loving families by providing scholarships for 12 children. Today with the help of primavera, there are over 100 students receiving education from kindergarten through to university. The scholarship for each student covers 100% of all books, uniforms and school supplies such as stationary, bags and hats. Each student receives a 750 baht allowance every month to assist with transportation costs or provides a budget for the students to purchase breakfast before school if needed.

Only students who are committed to attending school and from poor economic situations are considered for the program. Many students are recommended by the government social welfare officers and principals of schools who identify needy students.

Several students have already graduated from university and all of them are now in full time employment making them financially stable. This means they can now support all of their immediate family improving the quality of life for several generations.