Introducing Kham Aid Foundation's newest education program:

A flexible, targeted approach that puts parents and communities in charge of their children's education.

Wayao Village School Re-opened - October 1, 2007 - Read more...

Why this program?
The Chinese government provides schools, but they're not enough.  To succeed, a child needs transportation and health care, well-trained teachers, heart-felt aspirations, and most of all support from his or her parents.  Without these, achievement is low and most children drop out.

What does this program do?
We take a four-pronged approach:

• PARENTS.  We coach them to better mentor their children.
• CHILDREN.  We help them to develop career aspirations beyond subsistence farming and herding.
• COMMUNITY.  We empower them to ask for - and get - better performance from their schools.
• SCHOOLS. We relieve education bottlenecks with grants and training to fit their specific local needs.

Where to start?
Wayao Village, population 217, is a Tibetan community whose school was closed by the government. The nearest other primary school is too far away for younger children to walk to.  With no more than a 6th grade education themselves, parents cannot easily guide their children to excel academically.  Yet Wayao's parents are active and motivated; with a little support from outside their children can achieve far more than their parents ever dreamed.

How much does this cost?
Our estimated six-year budget is US$18,000, including staff time and direct grants to the village and the schools that serve it.

What can you achieve with this investment?
For less than $100 per child per year, we will ensure that 30 Wayao children enroll or re-enroll in school and stay until the 6th grade, with 80% scoring above average on the township's standardized exams and at least ten continuing on to middle school.

More importantly, we will create community support for education that will endure long after these 30 children have graduated and will foster the educational success of children who are not yet even born.

Where do you go from here?
Wayao is a pilot program - chosen because of the outstanding motivation among the village leaders.  With Wayao parents to act as mentors, we plan to expand the program to other villages facing similar education challenges.

GET INVOLVED: click here to find out how you can help Wayao's children.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

More information about why this program is needed.

Questions?  Write to education(at)khamaid.org.