Our Students
Our student population is normally around 300+; however, this year we only have 191 due to the devastating effects of COVID in the region. Here are some of our student demographics:
- Parents occupations: farmworkers, factory workers, construction workers, sales staff, restaurant workers, housekeepers for Thai families
- Annual graduates: 10 – 20 students graduate each year, depending on class size
- Graduates’ further study programs (free or on scholarship): MHEP (and then to university), MS, Youth Connect, EPOP, ACU (in Mae Sot); EGG, Kant Kaw (inside Burma); and AUW (in Bangladesh)
- Graduates’ employment: local jobs in sales, motorcycle repair, restaurants, hotels reception, gas stations; a few returns to Burma for work, depending on conditions inside
OUR RESIDENTS
There are usually about 30 full-time boarding students at BHSOH. Some are orphaned or abandoned children, others have no family nearby. Most are 100% dependent on the school for the necessities of life, material and otherwise. Thanks to a generous donor, we are able to provide food and accommodation for them, 24/7 and all year long. These students help with maintenance of the school grounds, with cooking, cleaning, and other small chores. The older ones take care of the younger ones. A dedicated long-time staffer supervises and cares for the boarding students like a mother. BHSOH is truly a home for these homeless students.
Student Activities
As funding allows, our BHSOH Learning Center celebrates sports and popular events, as well as academic classes, during the ten months of the school year. We host “mini sports days”, English debates, football competitions with other migrant schools, and various religious holiday activities. We organize in-school football, takraw, and other competitions, for both boys and girls, especially during the rainy season, to make sure students get sufficient physical activity to support their learning in class. As a treat after final exams, when funds are available, the seniors get to spend a day day at the local waterfall. And we do extra-curricular training in language, culture, and general life skills to improve their critical thinking and understanding of the world outside the classroom. These kinds of activities keep our students active, happy to learn, and confident in themselves for the future. We are always seeking donors who would like to sponsor these activities.
