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The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
SET NEWS www.facebook.com/TheSETFoundation
SET supported a total of 1,938 disadvantaged students in 2020
2020 was a tough, challenging year for vulnerable SET students and SET supporters
alike. Despite the adverse effects of Covid-19 on our vital SET supporters, a sustained
volume of contributions has enabled us to help 1,413 students with guaranteed
scholarships and a further 525 students with one-off welfare grants.
In 2020, SET also
received an additional
unique contribution from
the estate of our founder,
Mr Peter Robinson. The
Foundation has used this
legacy to establish a
series of special welfare
grants in Peter's memory.
SET donations have supported an incredible number of
disadvantaged students through the past pandemic year's
unprecedented challenges.
1
The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
SET contributes to the workforce skills needed in Thailand
Arc-welding students are in demand and are
usually offered employment soon after
finishing their vocational certificate.
Qualifying with a major in arc welding is
highly regarded and ranked high in
employability listings.
Vocational courses train students to
become highly employable, skilled
labourers, and over time, become self-
reliant and independent.
SET encourages youngsters to study at
vocational college level by providing more
than seventy percent of all scholarship
quotas to various courses at vocational
colleges.
Sathit Nonkaew demonstrating arc-
welding skills to basic metal
science students.
Sathit Nonkaew
SET Scholarship Number 109
"I wanted to give knowledge and I
wanted to see students become
able to stand on their own feet by
using what I teach to help them
get a promising career.
I am happy to give my students
this excellent skill, in the same
way SET gave me the opportunity
to study and as a result, my life
has totally changed, I want others
to benefit and have better futures.”
2
The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
Sathit Nonkaew is an
early SET student.
Sathit graduated in 2000
from Nakhon Sawan
Technical College and
Nakhon Sawan Rajabhat
University in 2002.
SET recently discovered that Sathit
regularly takes his students to a
remote school where there is a
metal playground in need of repair.
Under Sathit’s supervision, the
students practise their skills,
mending broken parts of the play
equipment.
Sathit was living at a temple in Nakhon Sawan, a city 250 km north of Bangkok. Initially, he was unsure about his
future but decided to apply for a two year scholarship at Nakhon Sawan Technical College to study arc-welding.
Arc-welding is a type of welding process using an electric arc to create heat to melt and join metals. Sathit
benefitted enormously from SET’s support.
Rather than taking a job after completing his degree, Sathit chose a pathway to help other youngsters,
completing a final course to equip him to teach and train up future generations of welders.
Sathit said “Many students want to get a job after
graduating, but there are just a few who want to be a
teacher, to train other generations in this skill and it can
help other youngsters with employment and to be more
self-reliant in the future.”
Sathit has been teaching in the Arc Welding Department
at Nakhon Sawan Technical College, since 2002 and
from then he has trained over 15,200 students to
become arc welders.
Sathit Nonkaew
“I like to give a big thank you to SET for
allowing me to have the chance to offer
my knowledge and skills to other
The support of one student over a few years of
youngsters. If I did not have that chance, study, has had far reaching benefits for
I would not be able to teach and help many students, over numerous years. Sathit’s
other students. Thank you to SET and all determination to teach his skills and share his
its generous supporters for being a part knowledge with young students is admirable.
of my success. Thank you very much!”
SET is very proud of Sathit
and what he has achieved.
3
The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
SET Scholarships
The students write all contributions. Some are received
in English whilst others are written in Thai then
translated by teachers or SET staff. Contributions may
be ‘tided up’ but otherwise are without alteration, even
where English appears a little clumsy. Some
contribution is taken from personal student interviews.
Wannapat Puttarakchart
SET Scholarship Number 8858
When we visit student homes and look at how they live, it
is always clear that they deserve a SET scholarship.
When I was two years old, my mom passed away. She’d
been ill with cancer. For a while, I just lived with my Dad, When I was studying at high school, I had many
but a few years later he re-married. His new wife came to expenses, for example I needed books, lunch, bus fare,
live with us, bringing her daughter with her. Dad sent me etc. I was always short of money and found it difficult to
to live with my grandmother and since he re-married, he pay for these expenses. So, I tried to do something that
has never seen me again. would support me and help pay for my expenses.
My grandmother was very old, had no particular income I lent my aunt money to buy chickens and we raised
source, and lived on a government pension, providing a them for eggs so we could sell them in the market with
few thousand Baht a month. She grew local vegetables her vegetables. We made just enough money to pay for
and sold them in the market near her house. my study expenses at the high school.
This year, I passed the university entrance to study in
English Teaching. I still raise chickens and sell eggs after
my study time but there are a lot more expenses at
university level and there is not enough money. My
chickens are also getting too old to lay enough eggs to
sell every day. I have no idea how to earn more money to
support my study. I thought the only way was to give up
my studies and leave the university.
I went to talk with my consultant teacher about my
situation and told her that I wanted to drop-out of my
study. My consultant teacher went straight to see SET’s
director, Naret, to discuss my case. A few days later, they
came to visit my house and see how I live.
Naret – “We visited Wannapat at her auntie’s house and
After school, I always helped out. I dug the soil, watered saw straight away how much she needed our help and
the plants, or fertilized them, and then cut and prepared support. It was evident they had been struggling to
the vegetables for her to sell in the market. We earned provide adequate funds for Wannapat to carry on with
just a little and just enough for living for the two of us. her studies at university. She was keen to continue her
education and it was clear to us that Wannapat was a
A few years later, when I was seven years old, my deserving student that SET could support. We were able
grandmother died from breast cancer. I was left alone in to organise an emergency scholarship to pay for her
her house. After her funeral, my aunt took me to live with tuition fees and enable her to continue studying. SET has
her. She also grows vegetables to sell, and I had also awarded Wannapat a long-term scholarship which
experience in growing vegetables, so I was able to help will be maintained throughout her time at the university”
her every day after school.
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The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
The Presentation of Scholarships
Usually, during the presentation of scholarships, there is a
student representative at each centre to thank SET on behalf of
all the students. This year, at Nakhonsawan Rajabhat University,
we had a very special student who has been receiving a SET
scholarship since her first year of study.
Summittra came to the podium and took this
opportunity to express her sincere thanks to SET.
Sumittra Jaiklam
SET Scholarship Number 6836
“Good afternoon, the Dean and the Board of the SET Foundation and everyone. My
name is Sumittra Jaiklam and I am a student in the last year of education at Nakhon
Sawan Rajabhat University.
I’m so glad to be a representative today of all the students and be able to say thank
you to SET. I would also like to share my feelings with you about what a SET
scholarship has meant to me.
I couldn’t imagine how my life would have been if I didn’t have the support from SET.
The time I was a student in the first year, I met many problems in my life. My family
split up and my mother and I moved out. I was feeling down at that time, I was
worried and could only think about working and how I could earn money. I was lucky
and had help from a professor at the university who said that there was a
scholarship which could help me, and he told me to apply. My application was
accepted and the scholarship I have from the SET Foundation has helped me study
without the worry and the depression I had in the past. I will graduate next year. The
scholarship has not only given me the chance to finish my studies, but it teaches me
how I can help other people like I was helped.
I would like to thank Mr. Peter Scott Robinson who started this Foundation. Without
him, we would not be here today. Thank you to the people on the Board who
connect and work so hard for us and everyone who donates to help all of the
students. You are like the breath that comes into our lives and keeps us still
breathing. Your dedication to SET has helped me become a teacher which makes
me very happy! Thank you for supporting me.
I hope that Mr. Robinson would be proud and happy for me and proud of everyone
in this hall. I now have a dream to help others with their future education.
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The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
Student Letters and Interviews
Thank you, SET, for parents but soon the situation improved. They
giving me an visited my home and talked to my parents.
opportunity to study.
Finally, I got a guaranteed scholarship until I finish
my three years course at senior high school. The
Ms. Sirirat Artkampan scholarship will enable me to buy the study
High School, Scholarship 8925 equipment and uniform. But for the living
expenses, I am still happy to help my parents find
recyclable garbage in the landfill.
Living from Hand to Mouth Now I don't have
to worry.
I live with my parents and grandmother in a very
old house that floods every rainy season. It is
located in a bad area. Mr. Pairat Phunkhet
High vocational diploma
Scholarship 9253
My grandmother is very old and paralysed. My
parents are labourers. They earn just enough to live
from hand to mouth. My father was diagnosed with
muscle inflammation, and he can’t walk properly. No matter how much we face difficult
times, my father always tells me
During the Covid 19 pandemic, our family was not give up my studies.
facing a very difficult situation. There is no
employment opportunity at all. My parents decided I am nineteen years old. I am studying for a
to collect recyclable trash and sell it to the vocational diploma in auto mechanics. I live with
recycling factory. They asked me whether I could my father, younger sister, and brother. My Dad has
help them to find the recyclable garbage in the just a small income. Sometimes, he works on a
trash bins. I replied, “I am very happy to help you in building site to earn the money to pay for the
any way I can.” I cannot stay at home and do household expenses and pay for the three of us to
nothing to help our family to survive. study. Soon the building project will finish, then we
will be completely short of money. My Dad will
Every day, I wake up at 5.30 and help my have to look for other employment.
grandmother shower, and I prepare food and a
bed for her. Then I go to school. Every day after I had an idea to stop my study and help my Dad
school, I go straight to help my parents collect the by getting a job to get some money to help
recyclable garbage on the street or in the city support my younger sister and brother. But
landfill. Then back home I sort the garbage types whenever I talk to my Dad about this, he will
to sell on to the factory. That is our everyday family always tell me I should never give up on my
life cycle. It seems there is no better way at the studies. He said he will do everything he can so
moment for us to earn more money to pay for the that I can keep studying.
house and my study expenses.
Thank you, SET, for giving me the scholarship
I applied for the SET scholarship at the beginning to study for a two years course. Now I don't
of the 2020 academic year, but it was suspended have to worry about my term fees anymore!
due to the CV-19 situation. SET welfare teacher
and staff couldn’t visit my home and interview my 6
The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
Student Letters and Interviews
They always tell me that I have to have the
Thank you SET for education to take care of myself instead of my
your kind support. parents. Nothing can guarantee my future better
than education, they said. So, I try to study hard
and hope that when I finish my studies, I can get a
good job and take care of them in the future.
Now, I study in a university which has more
expenses than I used to pay. I manage it by getting
some part-time jobs. I work in the restaurant as a
waitress on weekdays and another job in a fabric
factory at the weekend. It seems enough money to
live on, but it is difficult to pay for my term fees and
Ms. Sirihathai Phumphri give some to my grandparents.
SET Scholarship 9310
I am very lucky that I get a scholarship from SET. It
pays for my term fees, and I will keep working part-
My name is Sirihathai Phumphri. I am studying an time to earn the same money, but I can share more
early childhood education program. money with my grandparents.
My dad and mom passed away in a car accident It was always difficult to live and study without my
when I was two years old. It is always difficult for parents, but with a SET scholarship, it can be
me to live without them. Now, I live with my easier for me to manage all things around me.
grandparents. They are very old and have no
certain income. I always try to get any part-time
jobs and earn some money to help them support
SET Newsletter Update…
daily expenses and my own study expenses.
The Thai and UK trustees agreed to a change from
the previous biannual SET Newsletter to an annual
one at the end of each Thai academic year. This
timing offers an excellent opportunity to reflect and
report on SET’s activities throughout the year. It also
allows the Foundation to provide our highly valued
supporters with relevant information about
proposed funding, future scholarships, and welfare
grants to students throughout the academic year.
It is our aim to keep supporters well informed
through the annual distribution of the Newsletter.
We will continue to include interesting articles about
our students, both past and present, illustrating our
work's positive impact and the many impoverished
Thai youngsters, who have their lives changed
through your support.
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The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
Saengsawan Orphanage: Another Funtastic day out!
We asked the children at Saengsawan orphanage for their most enjoyable SET
activity of the past. Their resounding reply was “We love the Funtastic day out!”
So, once again, in December, we took 55 children from Saengsawan orphanage to
the indoor adventure park in Nakhon Sawan.
The children were very excited at the prospect of the After such a long lock-down period, it was an absolute
trip, many of them remembering previous visits. We joy to watch the children running around and enjoying
were confident it would be a fun day out for them themselves and a delight for us to see all their happy
all. It’s clearly become a favourite activity for the smiling faces!
children at the orphanage.
The photographs illustrate how the children made the
most of all the amusement park rides and what a fun-
packed day they had. The playground owner once
again kindly provided a selection of food and sweets
for the youngsters to enjoy.
A really
“Funtastic”
day for the
children!
SET’s volunteers worked alongside helpers from the
orphanage to ensure the children enjoyed the day,
making the most of the activities and remaining Covid
safe. 8
The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
Saengsawan Orphanage: SET Guarantees Future Education
Historically, SET has ensured educational support is
available to all the children at the Saengsawan
Orphanage. Many have come to the orphanage after “Songkran without the
being abandoned by their families. They are in
desperate need of the help and care the orphanage
splash.”
and staff provide. The orphanage becomes their family,
and over time, most children thrive in this nurturing The Songkran Festival celebrates the traditional Thai
environment. New Year and is a much-loved event, enjoyed by
people of all ages all over Thailand. It is also when
Once children finish their primary level education, SET family and friends gather to pay their respect and
guarantees long-term scholarships for their future gratitude to elders by pouring water mixed with Thai
education, providing opportunities and a chance to fragrance on the elders’ hands. Another respectful
have a better future. tradition at Songkran is a ritual where people sprinkle
water on the senior Buddhist monks. This practice is
Most students continue to study at the vocational level, believed to bring luck and good fortune, and following
tackling an extensive mix of subjects, including this, the chief monk gives a sermon, blessing all those
accounting, business, IT, human resources, in attendance.
management, auto mechanics, arch welding, and even
building construction. These vocational courses teach
vital skills and lead students towards future job
opportunities. These newly acquired skills make them
highly employable as their education and abilities
match Thailand's labour market needs.
The homely environment and the additional educational
opportunities provided through SET can be life-
changing for the children at the orphanage. This has
grown into a hugely rewarding project for all involved in
SET.
Picture by: Thairath Online
Songkran means transformation or change, and
festivities always involve water and plenty of it! Thai
people take to the streets and celebrate Songkran by
throwing water at one another. It has become a
significant part of this annual celebration and
symbolizes ritual cleansing, washing away sins and
bad luck and embracing a fresh start.
However, because of the pandemic, the Songkran
celebrations in 2020 and 2021 have been very different
from normal. Despite the restrictions in place, Thai
people were still able to celebrate, albeit in a more
Seeding confidence and independence as these
moderate way. Families could still come together, but
children start their young adult lives, SET provides
face masks had to be worn, and distancing needed to
unique educational possibilities that wouldn't be
be observed.
otherwise available. This early help is only possible
because of our wonderful supporters' generosity.
The ritual of pouring water onto elders’ hands could still
occur, but no street celebrations were permitted. It was
considered as “Songkran without the splash.”
9
The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
Kiriwong Monastic School
SET remains acutely aware of the education
needs of the novice monks at the Kiriwong
Monastic School. The boys arrive at the
monastery around the ages of 12 and 13 and,
over the next few years, dedicate their lives to
the monastery and study hard. We recognise
the profound changes required of these
youngsters as they ordain and the monastery
becomes their home.
Many come to Kiriwong to study as their
parents cannot support them in the
mainstream, local schools.
Opportunities for the boys are limited, and
although they must leave their homes and
families, they have the chance to improve their
lives by the sound education Kiriwong can
offer.
SET’s program at Kiriwong secures an up-to- There is little opportunity for Kiriwong novices
date, effective work environment for the to travel outside the monastery grounds.
novices, allowing them to reach their potential Consequently, they live at the monastery for the
in all areas of study. Each year, we evaluate the majority of their education.
resources such as science equipment,
computers, and the library, upgrading where With no real prospect of engaging in the usual
necessary. SET’s program at Kiriwong has activities youngsters enjoy at this age, most
been more complex over the past 12 months, novices settle and focus solely on their studies.
with the unique challenges CV-19 has
presented.
10The SET Foundation Newsletter 1 May 2021
We are mindful this doesn’t always
come naturally for young boys as they
have enquiring minds and want to
experience life outside. Over the years,
SET has financed and organised
various outings for the novices.
In 2020, we took them to Kanchanaburi,
where they spent an exciting and
informative day learning about the
Burma-Thai Railway and the sacrifices
so many made during its construction.
With CV-19 restrictions still in place,
SET looked into whichever trips remain
possible this year for the novices. We
approached this day trip differently,
keeping students within their classroom
groups. There are six class groups
based on the novices ages, and each
group travelled to a different place.
Locations included historical parks,
historical temples, and the local zoo.
Covid restrictions required novices to
wear face-masks at all times, regularly
use hand gel, and remain at a safe
distance from other people.
SET recognises the importance of these trips and the benefits
enjoyed by the novices.
We hope that further travels will be possible for the novice monks
as CV-19 restrictions ease and more normal life returns to us all.
11Your gift will change the future of a needy youngster CONTACT US
Donating from the UK and Europe SET in Thailand
Our UK sister charity The Students’ Education Trust has its own Contact: Naret Muenrod, The SET
website and PayPal account. It can accept donations in Foundation, PO Box 19, Nakhon
Sterling or Euro by credit card, cheque, bank transfer, Sawan Post Office, Amphur
standing order, Charities Aid Foundation vouchers and Payroll Giving. Muang, Nakhon Sawan 60000,
Thailand.
As a great bonus, donations from UK taxpayers can be increased by
25% through the Gift Aid program. To donate, please visit the Students’ Email: SET_THAI@hotmail.com
Education Trust website, shown in the ‘Contact us’ column. Phone (Inter): + 66 81953 2032
Phone (Thailand): 0 81953 2032
You could also try selling your unwanted goods for us on
Web site: www.thaistudentcharity.org
ebay. Follow the link below and enter Students’ Education
Bank account: The SET Foundation,
Trust in the charity search box:
account 104-2-65347-7, Kasikorn
www.ebay.co.uk/egw/ebay-for-charity/charity-search?ps=10
Bank, Kosi Rd Branch, A. Muang,
Nakhon Sawan 60000, Thailand.
Donating from any country (SWIFT code: KASITHBK for onward
SET in Thailand can accept donations by credit card, international bank transmission to 04-104).
transfer or by cheque. To donate by credit card, please
visit our main website, shown in the ‘Contact us’ column.
The Students’ Education Trust
Registered UK charity 1090708
International transfers can be made to The SET Foundation, account
Contact: Joanna Herbert-Stepney,
104-2-65347-7, Kasikorn Bank, Kosi Rd Branch, Amphur Muang, Nakhon
Old Village Stores, Dippenhall
Sawan 60000, Thailand. Please be sure to give your bank the full SWIFT
Street, Crondall, Farnham, Surrey
code: KASITHBK for onward transmission to 04-104.
GU10 5NZ, UK.
Cheques made payable to The SET Foundation can be sent to
Phone: 01252 850 253
PO Box 19, Nakhon Sawan Post Office, Amphur Muang, Nakhon Sawan
Email: SET.UK@btinternet.com
60000, Thailand.
Web site: www.thaistudentcharity.org.uk
Donating from within Thailand
Donations by credit card can be made on our website. You
can transfer a donation directly to our bank account: The Exchange rates
SET Foundation, account 104-2-65347-7, Kasikorn Bank, Kosi Rd Branch, The magazine shows figures in Thai
Amphur Muang, Nakhon Sawan 60000. Donations by cheque payable Baht (THB). Exchange rates at the
to The SET Foundation can be sent to PO Box 19, Nakhon Sawan Post time of printing were:
Office, Amphur Muang, Nakhon Sawan 60000. Please do not send cash. £1 = 43.29 THB. US$1 = 31.13 THB.
€1 = 37.52 THB. AUD1 = 24.13 THB.
SGD1 = 23.04 THB. CAD1 = 25.36 THB.
However, you make a donation,
Donations from Thai tax-payers are tax- a receipt and letter of thanks will be
deductible. Please ask us for a tax receipt sent to you.
when you make your donation. Thank you for your support of
our needy youngsters.
12You can also read
