Foundation for the Education of Rural Children

FERC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The FERC Scholarship Program began before the Foundation was officially registered. Our original efforts were in the form of donations to existing scholarship funds. Later we started to provide individual FERC scholarships.

The FERC Scholarship Program consists of two parts: a fund for Designated Scholarships and an Emergency Scholarship Fund. FERC assures complete accountability of all donated funds.

Designated Scholarships of 10,000 baht per student are awarded to selected students, ages 15 to 17, for one to three years. These students are in the post-compulsory track of secondary education. With recommendations from teachers and administrative staff of the regional Department of Education, the FERC Scholarship Committee identifies students who are completing their compulsory education and do not have the funds to complete high school (Matayom 4, 5 and 6).

Students are interviewed by members of the Scholarship committee, and selection of students is completed in consultation with specially appointed teachers at each of the selected high schools. Schools are selected in rural areas of northern Thailand.

Funds are deposited with the student’s school account at the beginning of every semester, and managed by designated teachers. The progress of each scholarship recipient is carefully tracked and monitored by the Scholarship Committee members.

Emergency Scholarships are awarded to students on a needs basis to assist students who have emergency needs in completing the school year or who cannot afford to participate in enrichment programs such as computer literacy, sports, art or music. As with families all over the world, unexpected emergency situations do arise with families in the rural provinces of Thailand. Death or disability of one or both parents, illness, family crises such as desertion by the wage earner are unfortunately not uncommon. Without assistance, the children of these families may have to drop out of school. Once a child leaves formal education, the chances of her or him returning to school are severely diminished. As little as 500 baht may keep a child in school.

On behalf of the FERC Board of Directors, the FERC Scholarship Committee works with identified school boards to provide assistance in time of need, whether to high school students in the Designated Scholarship program or with children of all ages in the Emergency Scholarship Program. The members of this Committee are:

Frank Weicks, Chairman
Donna Dauenhauer
Carolina Thompson
Glynn Morgan
Dave Geddes
Yuwan Pujeenaphan

Donations to the FERC Scholarship Program can be made through bank transfer directly into our bank account. Please see our donations page for information. A little money goes a very long way in educating a child in rural Thailand.

If you would like more information about this important part of FERC activities, please contact us.

FERC scholarship recipients from
the Hang Dong School District in Northern Thailand.

last updated: June 18, 2008