The Starfish Country Home School is a project of the Starfish Country Home School Foundation, which is completely funded by the Richard P. Haugland Foundation, an American private foundation. The Starfish Country Home School is both a school and residence for needy children, most of whom are hill tribe children from northern Thailand. In August 2007 the Starfish Country Home School had approximately 30 children, mostly age three to eight. Although typically termed “orphans” by traditional Thai society, almost all of the children now at the Starfish Country Home School have at least one living parent but, in most cases, the parents are divorced or never married, or the father is dead, has abandoned the mother or is in prison. In several cases, the child was living with grandparents or other relatives prior to relocating to the Starfish Country Home School. All the children periodically return home for brief stays and relatives are free to visit their children at the Starfish Country Home School.

The intention of the Starfish Country Home School is to provide a quality bilingual Thai and English education to a select group of children who will stay at the Starfish Country Home School through high school (matayom) then to support the qualified students through university. Early childhood education utilizes mostly alternative teaching methods. In addition to an academic education, the Starfish Country Home School provides cultural and social education, including Thai dance, western ballet, music and art. It also seeks to develop cultural awareness, social skills, concern for others and environmental awareness in its students.

As an alternative to attending the Starfish Country Home School, in May 2006 the Starfish Country Home School Foundation established the Starfish Home in the city of Chiangmai. Children who are not likely to succeed in the bilingual and quite academic curriculum of the Starfish Country Home School can live at the Starfish Home in Chiangmai and attend local Thai-language schools. The children at the Starfish Home receive additional help on their schooling as required. Most of the younger children (age 3 or 4) taken in by the Starfish Country Home School Foundation will stay at the Starfish Country Home School until a decision is made whether they will stay at the Starfish Country Home School or move to the Starfish Home.

The site of the Starfish Country Home School is a former resort about 45 km (27 miles) north of Chiangmai near Maetang. Its first children came in June 2005. The resort has been completely remodeled and has a large main building in Lanna style, six air-conditioned classrooms, a room for dance classes, offices and 34 sleeping rooms. The site is very quiet and peaceful. It has two swimming pools, a tennis court, fish ponds and vegetable gardens. Food is served communally in a large dining area. The school has computers and satellite internet. A new elementary school and additional sleeping rooms is under construction that should be finished by June 2008. We are also constructing a local park and performing arts facility for our children and neighbors.

Although the Starfish Country Home School already has a large Thai staff and ia few international teachers, interns and volunteers are an important part of its program. English-speaking visitors can greatly accelerate the ability of children to converse. At the same time, international visitors can teach their special skills such as art, crafts, music, dance, theatre, games, cooking, photography, sports, rock climbing, juggling, science, or whatever else interests them. However, for continuity it is usually required that full-time interns and volunteers can stay for at least three months. The Starfish Country Home School provides accommodations, food and a stipend of 4000 baht (about $130) a month for incidental expenses to volunteers who stay at least three months. Volunteers who stay at least six months can receive reimbursement of up to $800 to cover their travel costs and one month of paid vacation. This is a great cultural and learning opportunity for a mature motivated individual.