Use of Charity Funds this page updated: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 There are two schools in Khao Lak catering for children between 5 and 16 years. Of the 480 children attending the two schools, 30 died in the wave, a further 71 lost one or both parents and many more were injured and lost siblings and/or extended family. Fortunately the two schools were built inland and although one sustained some water damage, they were mainly untouched. However facilities, particularly at the secondary school, are desperately inadequate. Currently the school has no fresh water, very poor sports facilities, an unusable football pitch, no science laboratory and IT facility. Teachers' living accommodation is extremely primative, as are the school toilet facilities and in recent years the school has not been able to replace 8 teachers due to lack of funds. Furthermore there is no swimming pool or swimming instruction available for the school children or the wider local community. Funds Raised are being used to: Build a fully equipped IT Room and provide an IT teacher Build a Science Laboratory and provide a science teacher Build an Arts/Drama Room Build a Swimming Pool and provide a swimming teacher - many of the Thai people died in the wave because the could not swim Build two Tennis Courts Most importantly the charity recognises the importance of providing ongoing funds so that the facilities will be able to operate and be enjoyed by future generations of the Khao Lak community. This will be provided by investment of the remainder of the funds raised. We recognise the importance of IT skills for these children, many whose future careers will be in the tourist industry. The swimming pool will also help locals to learn to swim and dive, providing jobs in the diving industry. Diving is an important part of the tourist industry in the Khao Lak area. Nearly all the diving jobs are currently filled by non Thais.