Hand to Hand Foundation has many projects that help educate and protect children and keep them safe from drugs and other social issues. Unfortunately some children in need cannot access these free servicve as they have no transport. Hand to Hand does it's best to help but we desperately need a mini van to make our programs more accessable. Purchasing a 15 seater, Toyota commuter van would enable more children from the slums to attend our free preschool, kid's club, soccer and other activities.
Many children in Pattaya need to access programs on offer at the Hand to Hand Foundation, but due to the lack of transportation they are unable to come. Slum children who have no access to early years education, such as preschool, are very disavantaged when going to school and this reason may also cause them to never attend school. Our kids club program is essential for the older kids as every week they have a safe place to have fun, learn computers, English, play soccer and eat.
The children will be able to be picked up and returned to their homes, Monday to Friday for our preschool and on Saturdays for our kid's club and soccer. Our programs give the slum children something to look forward to each week and it has decreased the amount of drug taking in their communities. The van would be able to make several trips, especially on Saturdays, which would nenaible up to 50 kids to attend weekly. If they cannopt come, we cannot help them!
Our programs are not just fun activities. They provide a safe place for them to learn and grow. A place where they can share their problems and get help. When they cannot access our services they often look for comfort and solutions in other areas. This can sometimes include experimenting with smoking and drugs and and learning bad behaviours from older kids or adults. Our centre is a haven for them and we can help them with life skills which will impact their lives now and in the future.
