Birmingham schools first to study plight of Burmese refugees in Thailand

Schools throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham have been the first in the country to take up an innovative new study project launched by the Pattaya Orphanage Trust.

The aim of the project is to highlight the issues faced by Burmese refugees living in Thailand.

The Thai border town of Mae Sot has become packed with Burmese refugees recently. Among the refugees are literally thousands of children. Some are lucky enough to attend Hsa Thoo Lei School, which is more than the average school! It provides education, food, text books, clothes, medical care and safety to 200 orphans and 400 children living in refugee camps.

The Pattaya Orphanage Trust is offering English schools ready made lesson plans designed to teach students about the complex issues faced by the pupils that attend Hsa Thoo Lei. The lesson plans are not only created to raise awareness but are designed around aspects of the curriculum that explore Human rights at Key stages 3 and 4 and Geography Key Stage 2. Colorful photos and an informative video are also supplied to provide a comprehensive package.

"Of 238 Schools in the Archdiocese, 54 are supporting immediately and another 42 have said they will support next year" said Sue Strode, the Trust's Schools Officer in the Archdiocese. Another 90 schools are yet to be contacted.

The campaign and the materials provided are available to any school interested in supporting the work of the Trust. For more information and resources on the Hsa Thoo Lei School project, visit: www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk/projects/Refugee/hsa-thoo-lei-appeal or contact Ruth Flanagan at Pattaya Orphanage Trust on 020 7602 6203.

The Pattaya Orphanage Trust holds in annual Mass for supporters in London at St Augustine's, 55 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8AU, on Saturday 8 November at 11am. Light refreshments will be served in the church hall afterwards. The Mass in Dublin is at the Redemptorists' Church, Marionella, Rathgar, Dublin, on Sunday 9 November at 1pm. An optional lunch will be available after the Mass at TKII, a local Thai restaurant, for ¤20. Please send a cheque to Pattaya Orphanage Trust, 124 North End House, Fitzjames Avenue, London W14 ORZ, UK if you would like to attend.