Change of operations at the Koh Lao Early Childhood Centre
The goal of the Koh Lao school has always been simple but vital: helping Moken children learn Thai so they
could thrive in Thai society.
In the early days, when most of the island’s children were still very young, the school was bustling—30 to 40
kids attending five days a week. Under Father Joe Maier’s HDF Mercy, children learned to read and write in
Thai, received nourishing meals, and were treated for intestinal parasites that plagued the community. Most of
the children were stateless and few attended the Thai government school across the island.
Then government policy shifted: all children in Thailand, including stateless ones, were granted free education.
Gradually, most children enrolled in the government school, and the Moken village school grew quiet,
eventually serving only a handful of toddlers. Last year May HDF Mercy stepped away, and we, the newly
founded Mercy Ranong Foundation took over.
We had to rethink how best to serve the children. Instead of daily classes, we now visit every Saturday—when
the children are home. Each week, we also bring along the 10 Moken children living in our Ranong home. Two
help prepare meals, while the others teach the younger children Thai language, reading, writing, and fun
activities.
Many of the younger children still struggle with Thai, making government school lessons hard to follow. Now,
older Moken children are teaching the younger ones—and everyone is enjoying it! Smiles show the joy of
learning together, and with the nutritious lunch we provide, the children now have six solid meals a week in
addition to their school lunches.
We don’t want the children to forget their Moken heritage, so always one of the village elders teaches the
children Moken culture, history and Moken songs, so that they don’t lose their roots, pride and identity.
The new approach seems to be working. The children are all eager to learn now that they are being taught and
encouraged by their older siblings. And the older kids enjoy teaching – some even dreaming of becoming
teachers themselves!
Now, the Koh Lao Early Childhood Centre, as we call it now, is alive again, with 30-40 local children,
reinforced by our 10 mainland helpers. By all of us working together, we continue to provide learning, health
support, nutrition and a maintain a strong link to the government school.
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