The Foundation for the Education of Rural Children (FERC) will hold its annual fund-raising party, Let Us Entertain You, at the Shangri-La Hotel in Chiang Mai on November 22, 2008, at 7 p.m.  The evening’s entertainment will feature the musical talents of Tangerine Blue and a backup chorus of ten local singers, and will showcase music from some of the most popular Broadway musicals, old and new.

Wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by Shangri-La chefs and homemade desserts will be served.  The evening will also include a small and exclusive Silent Auction of gift items and travel vouchers as well as the Raffle of a secret prize.

Children from Baan Huay Pa Hon Thai teacher in the Lahu village

The children of Baan Huay Pa Hon and the FERC Scholarship Fund will both benefit from funds raised during the evening.  The FERC Scholarship Fund distributes two types of scholarships to children in the rural areas of Thailand:  emergency and supplementary scholarships are given to students who have unforeseen emergency needs as well as special needs for extra funds.  FERC has awarded ninety-two of these scholarships thus far in 2008, providing assistance to students in purchasing uniforms and school supplies as well as paying for extra educational opportunities such as computer studies, science laboratories, art, music and sports.  FERC also offers scholarships to students who are eager to continue their high school (matayom) educations but need financial assistance in order to do so.  Under the supervision and monitoring of FERC Scholarship Committee members and professional educators J. David Geddes and Glynn Morgan, five area students are presently being sponsored in a variety of Region IV, Department of Education, schools.

The preschool children of Baan Huay Pa Hon, a Lahu village in the Chiang Dao area, will also be the beneficiaries of the evening’s proceeds.  While the village has a small school building, it is completely without either electricity or school supplies.  The children must learn Thai language in order to attend the nearby Thai school, but this is a very poor village with few resources.  FERC is partnering with The Bridge of Life (www.thebridgeoflife.net), a private non-profit organization in the United States, to improve the conditions in the village and the lives of the children.

Tickets are 1,000 baht each and can be obtained from any FERC Board Member or at the Shangri La Hotel the week of the party.  For further information, or to contact a Board Member, use the contact form on this website.