The Starfish Girls project is a new project of the Starfish Country Home School Foundation. The project commenced during September 2006 with 10 girls enrolled. Ten more Starfish Girls were accepted to start in August 2007. The girls, all of whom come from needy backgrounds, are expected to learn fluent English, computer skills and enhance their personal development. The program uses a combination of English-speaking Thai teachers and English-speaking volunteers. The staff serves both as teachers and as role models for the girls. This is the idea behind the program, much of which is now being successfully realized.

Starfish Girls (Ying Pla Dao) Objectives

• Identify and fully support the education of a few needy girls age 14-15 who are already excellent students at a Thai-language high school
• Continue participation of the Starfish Girls in the program through high school graduation, provided they remain in an academic high school program and demonstrate dedication and capability in their studies
• Support the best students with scholarships through university
• Teach the girls to communicate in fluent English and the use of computers, including typing in Thai and English
• Expand the horizons of the girls to include travel, dining, culture, personal care, dance and social graces (a "finishing school" approach)
• Provide personal counseling and support, including limited financial support to continue to attend their current high schools

Eligibility

• A needy female student age 14-15 usually with one or no parents at home or a girl in an absusive home situation regardless of financial need
• Living within easy travel distance of the Starfish Home
• Initially a matayom 3 student (equal to American 9th grade) because this is the year after which many girls drop out of school to work or even get married and the year in which they have to decide whether to continue in an academic high school or to attend a vocational school
• Preferably, a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5, including grades of A (or at least B) in English
• An out-going personality (not overly shy)
• Preferably some skill in creative arts and sports
• A desire to be in the program and willingness to participate on a regular basis in the program

The Typical Program Schedule 

• Three weekends on both Saturday and Sunday followed by one weekend off for most of the year, including school breaks
• 9 AM to 5 PM (with an option to stay for supper)
• 9 AM to 11 AM English conversation and English activities, including reading for comprehension and reading out loud
• 11 AM to Noon Lunch and break
• Noon to 2 PM Computers and typing, including English composition
• 2 PM to 4:30 PM Activities, including lectures by outside lecturers from universities or NGOs, cooking, sewing, art, music, dance, sports and outside activities
• 4:30 PM to 5 PM Group meeting, sharing and planning (mostly in English). Also time for individual counseling.

Principles of the Program

• As much as possible, instruction is individualized, with regular tests, progress reports and learning plans for each student.
• At least one day a month the group will go on a trip such as swimming, to concerts, to a local attraction, to restaurants or on an overnight trip involving staying at a hotel or camping. These events are planned ahead by the girls.
• Girls are expected to attend the program every weekend that classes are scheduled and to not miss sessions without prior approval. Those who miss more than three days in a row may be dismissed from the program. They also receive 1500 baht after completing the three weekends if they have attended all sessions during that period.
• Participation of the girls in the Starfish Girls program is expected to continue until their graduation from matayom six (3+ years). Those who maintain a GPA above 3.75 during the program can receive support to attend a university of their choice. Some girls who achieve a final GPA between 3.5 and 3.75 may also be supported at university.
• The Starfish Girls receive necessary medical assistance, dental care, sex education and drug awareness education.
• During subsequent years, we expect that approximately 10 new matayom 3 girls will be accepted each year. They will receive similar opportunities as our first class of Starfish Girls.
• Although this is not intended to be a residential program, two of the Starfish Girls from the first class now reside full time at the Starfish Home due to difficult family circumstances.
• The girls will periodically participate in some outreach program such as helping in a nursing home or hospital, visiting homes for old people, environmental cleanup activities, volunteer work or the like.
• On an individual basis, we financially support some girls for school-related expenses, in particular tuition and uniform costs; however, they are expected to reimburse part of these expenses from their 1500 baht per three week period stipend. We also reimburse some transportation costs for Starfish Girls who live outside Chiangmai.
• We will particularly help prepare the girls for their matayom six comprehensive exams and to learn how to take tests and to counsel them for their post high school life.

Justification

These are our older starfish children. During their time at the Starfish Home the Starfish Girls should develop some of the characteristics of what we would like to develop in the younger children at the Starfish Country Home School and Starfish Home. The girls will receive needed support to encourage them to stay in school and to be excellent students. Both their mental and physical health should improve while they are in the program. They will have the opportunity to develop unusually good skills in English and computer usage, including typing and composition. They should also develop confidence, poise and refinement. They will hopefully become role models for the Starfish Home children. This program will utilize the classrooms on weekends during a time that the other children will not be in school. The Starfish Girls program is intended to make a significant difference in the lives of all of its participants.

UPDATE (1 April 2007)

In Thailand, it is typical that students choose either an academic pathway or a vocational school pathway after matayom 3 (American ninth grade). To go the academic route, however, requires the student to pass an examination. Many needy students, however, choose the vocational school route even if they are academically qualified for the academic program because they feel they need a skill that will earn them a living and that they could never continue at university. We are particularly proud that four girls from the initial class of Starfish Girls that study in a nearby Chiangmai high school took and passed the examination for a good academic high school in the city. The principal of their current school told us that it is rare that ANY students from that particular high school continue to study in an academic program. In addition, one of the girls studying in a rural high school also passed the examination to study in the higher quality Chiangmai high school program. Four other Starfish Girls have chosen and qualified to study in the academic program at their rural high school rather than to attend a vocational high school. Only one current Starfish Girl chose to transfer to a vocational program.

UPDATE (17 August 2007)

Ten additional Starfish girls have been accepted into the program this month and seven of the original ten Starfish Girls are continuing in their second year.