Team captain Grant ‘Axe’ Rawlinson told The Phuket News that he and his team extend their heartfelt gratitude to the donors, whose generosity has already funded a school bus and repairs to the school building.
“The Million Baht Phang Nga Bay gave us six days of challenge, beauty, and camaraderie. In return, we give something back ‒ better opportunities and conditions for the children from the Banya Literacy Centre to have a brighter future,” Grant said.
“It also showed that exploration isn’t just about discovering new places ‒ it’s about discovering the impact we can have when we unite our strengths for a common cause,” he added.
“Each blade of the paddle cutting into open water, every footprint pressed into yielding earth, stood for something far greater than miles traveled. It stood for hope, for literacy, for a brighter tomorrow, embodied in the Banya Literacy Center and the lives it seeks to uplift.” noted support team member Todd Forney.
Shiho Katsuura, a committee member, explained to The Phuket News, “We purchased a second-hand bus to use as a school bus. It’s small, seating 22 children, because the road to the school is narrow, making a larger bus impractical.
“We will also use the remaining funds to repair the school building, focusing on the broken floor and roof,” she added.
“We feel grateful every time since last year when ‘Axe’ [Grant] helped the Good Shepherd school on the first adventure [swimming a lap of Phuket], and this year with the Banya Literacy Centre,” Shiho said.
The Banya Literacy Centre is a small school with just 135 children, six teachers and two staff members, Shiho noted.
“For Myanmar children, passing the entrance exam is essential to study in Thai schools, but many parents cannot afford the costs. We also provide scholarships for these children because we believe that every child, regardless of nationality, deserves access to education,” she explained.
“For next year, we still have yet to decide where we are going to fund and still looking for more candidates, but one of them in our plans is the Asia Center Foundation (ACF), which is for Thai children,” hse said.
“I believe that every child has the potential to grow into a capable individual who can contribute to the development of their country ‒ whether it’s Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, or elsewhere.
“These children can learn, thrive, and help move their nations forward. That’s why we are committed to continuing our support for education and doing even more in the future.
“My team and I would like to express sincere gratitude for kind support for the school to The Phuket News and the donors who support the future of children and made us achieve our goal of this adventure.
“As a person who lives in Phuket, I am proud to give back to the community, and we believe this is a meaningful way to invest in the future of our next generation,: Shiho concluded.