Sponsor A Child’s Education
Welcome to our sponsorship page. The children below are Thai and Burmese students that need your help to come to school! You will be sharing your sponsorship with 9 other people and each of you will be putting $25 a month towards one student.
Where Specifically Does Your Money Go?
Your sponsorship will help to cover the costs of having the child at the school:
- Educational Resources
- Teacher Wages
- School Utillity Bills / Rent
- One Off Medical Costs (When needed)
- Snacks x 2 and Hot Lunch x 1 per school day
If money is leftover from your sponsorship, it is rolled over into the rest of the school and goes towards the entire school community and its need.
Receive Updates!
As a sponsor you will receive:
- Access to our private Facebook group for sponsors and parents that includes regular updates directly from the school to you.
- Annual email updates
- You can also organise coming to meet your student and see them at the school in person (this requires passing a security check, as do volunteers).
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Current Children Needing Sponsorship
The children on this list have just started school or have been attending the school. The school entry program includes 4 key focus points –
- Early Childhood Development
- Conversational English & Phonics
- Burmese or Thai Language & Character Recognition
- Numeracy Basics
We are pleased to announce we have hired our first Burmese teacher, after many years of searching! This is a very exciting prospect for children living on Koh Tao from Myanmar. This means they can stay in the school longer and they will have a smoother transition back into schools in Myanmar when they reach high school.
Your gift of sponsorship WILL have a huge impact on the lives of these children. As one father said to me…
“When I took my daughter to look at school in our village, the toilet had no door, no water and everything was dirty. We have no insurance or money for doctors. If my child gets sick there is nothing that can be done.” – Kyaw
Choosing between keeping your child safe and educating them is a really tough choice, one that no parent should have to make.

Day
Birthday – May 11, 2015
Sponsor Day
Birthday – May 11, 2015
Day is an extremely smart, fun and loving little four year old boy. Day started our program in May 2019 and his communication in both Burmese and English is improving. He is now able to introduce himself, and say his numbers, colors and shapes in English. He has some great sentences he uses, although they only sometimes make sense!
Day has a loving family that work hard to support themselves and family both in Koh Tao and in Myanmar. Day has some sponsors, but he needs more. Please consider supporting this little boy’s future at the school, with your help we can get him all the way through Primary School.

Paung Paung (Pow Pow)
Birthday – May 10, 2015
Sponsor Paung Paung (Pow Pow)
Birthday – May 10, 2015
Paung Paung, or Pow Pow as she prefers to be called, is 4 years old. She was able to start the Burmese English program in the summer of 2019. She knows very little English and has had no experiences outside of her small village. She is learning how to hold her pencil correctly, listen to her teachers, share, work in a group and school rules. Her family is very proud that she is in school. Please help Pow Pow continue her education at Koh Tao Primary School by sponsoring her today!

Po Po
Birthday – November 12, 2014
Sponsor Po Po
Birthday – November 12, 2014
“Po Po” is 5 years old and she is small for her age, but very beautiful. She loves wearing traditional Burmese makeup and will sit patiently while her mother puts it on her. Thanks to your generosity, Po Po made it off the waitlist and joined our Burmese/English pre-school class in the summer of 2019. For about four months, she worked with her Burmese teacher and volunteers to strengthen her motor skills, language schools, and social skills. It was evident that Po Po loved learning and would often choose to sit with the volunteers to go over flashcards or her numbers instead of playing with legos or dolls. It did not surprise us that at the start of the school year in September 2019, she was ready to move up into the English Reception class.
Po Po still has a long way to go. While her comprehension is improving, her motor skills still need work. She has already benefited greatly from the program and truly loves being in school. Please help us continue to help this little girl’s education, by enhancing her education and everyday life.

Lynn Htet Aow
Birthday – September 16, 2015
Sponsor Lynn Htet Aow
Birthday – September 16, 2015
Lynn Htet is 4 years old and joined our Burmese & English program in May 2019, after receiving sponsorships. Lynn Htet is shy with new people, but once he warms ups, he is a ball of energy that doesn’t want to sit still. During the first nine months in school, he has learned to count to ten in English and is getting better with his colors. He is proud to show off his work to his teachers and volunteers.
Lynn Htet’s parents work hard, but Lynn Htet can’t live on Koh Tao unless he is at school. His parents need someone to watch him while they work and what better place than Koh Tao International Primary. With your help, Lynn Htet can be at school learning while his parents work and bring in money for the rest of the family.

Ye Myat (Janu)
Birthday – March 08, 2012
Sponsor Ye Myat (Janu)
Birthday – Match 08, 2012
Ye Myat is 7 years old and living on Koh Tao with her brother Kyar Nyo (“Je Je”). Her mother is a single mum and has come to Koh Tao to find a better life for her children and to make money to support them. Ye Myat and her family would benefit highly from having somewhere safe for her to be while her mother works. Her entire family would also benefit from her having a solid education. Ye Mat, like her brother Je Je, was placed with the 3-4 year olds when she first started school. Now, she is in Reception with the 5-6 year olds, and continues to improve in all areas. She is able to count to 100, recognise letters sounds and speaks basic English! With your help and others you know, these siblings could take their family out of poverty together.

Kyar Nyo (Je Je)
Birthday – December 18, 2010
Sponsor Kyar Nyo (Je Je)
Birthday – December 18, 2010
“Je Je” is 9 years old and lives on Koh Tao with his sister, Ye Myat, and his Mummy. They are very poor as his mother is a single parent and is raising them alone. The siblings both need somewhere safe to be while their mother works to make money for the family. Je Je was already very behind on his education and was placed with the 3-4 year olds to experience foundation learning for the first time. He did well, and after four months, he was moved up to the Reception class with the 5-6 year olds. He is very intelligent and especially good with his math skills. We aim to try and catch him up to his age group and give him a good chance and getting proper schooling, but we need your help!

Dow
Sponsor Dow
Birthday – March 27, 2019
Dow is very special to the school. She is the little sister of Ei That Oo, our very first Burmese student. Dow has just started at Daycare and will follow in her sisters footsteps learning at the school from toddlerhood to primary school age. At the moment both her parents have very little work due to Covid 19 and we have done our best to support their needs.

Young Young
Sponsor Young Young
New to the school, Young Young (Yun Yun) is just starting to settle into the school’s English-Burmese Transition Program. She does not have sponsors yet and is in eager to stay at school and learn with her friends.

Ko Ko
Sponsor Ko Ko
I am a boisterous little boy that loves to play all day with his friends, even when he should be listening to the teacher! I am new to the school and I love going every morning. I have some catching up to do in my development, but there is no reason to believe I won’t. I am strong and bright and full of energy!

Phyo
Sponsor Phyo
This little guy just started at the school before COVID 19. He was just beginning to settle in and was learning English in the Burmese-English Transitional Program. He is bright and too old to be in this class, but he doesn’t seem to mind at all. Can’t wait for him to move into Reception!

Polestar
Sponsor Polestar
We know, his name is… unusual, but don’t let that change the way his adorable face makes your heart explode! Polestar is a bright, busy and social little boy. He loves his best friend Swe Ta and they are absolute trouble together!

Aung Thu
Sponsor Aung Thu
I am old for my class, but this is the first time I have been in a school and I am learning from the bottom up. I love school and don’t even notice the other children are younger than me.

Myat Thu
Sponsor Myat Thu
I am a very bright and loveable little boy that has my own mind and can be stubborn. I am excellent at puzzles and colouring in, but I struggle to stay still when I am supposed to be listening! My teachers love me, but like all the clever ones, I am a challenge!

Su
Sponsor Su
Su’s Mother tried to put her into the school last year, but it didn’t work as they had to go back to Myanmar for few month for their passports and visa. Su was then blocked at the border because of her papers being incorrect and an expat managed to get her back just before borders closed because of COVID-19. This lucky little girl is starting school!

Milin
Sponsor Milin
Milin has been at the school since she was 6 years old. She is now 11! Milin is Thai and she has 2 other siblings (Alice and Nab). Milin is incredibly intelligent and shows a mountain of promise. SHe loves to cook, work in her parents shop and play on the beach. Since COVID 19 started, her family has lost all of their businesses and are now unable to support her and her siblings at school. With your help, they can all continue to learn.

Plang
Sponsor Plang

Vincent
Sponsor Vincent
Birthday – August 04, 2013
Vincent is a six year old student at the school who has been attending since he was 2 years old. Vincent’s father had a major stroke, and a few minor strokes, and has suffered brain injury. His mother comes from a poor farming family in the south-east of Thailand. Vincent’s mother has to work 7 days a week from 5am to 11pm to support Vincent and his father. Vincent’s father has continued to have seizures and complications from the stroke. His complete condition is unknown as they don’t have the money for brain scans and although the island locals have tried to raise money to help them, they are still paying off many hospital costs that they incurred through two hospital stays. After respite care with Claire and her family, Vincent is now being cared for by his parents again thanks to some wonderful people in the Koh Tao community who are helping to look after his well being. We are thrilled to have him back with his parents and thanks to his sponsors, he is still at school and doing very well! Vincent is now in Year 1! We are very proud of him. Without your support this wouldn’t be possible, so a big THANK YOU to you all!

Kukkuu
Sponsor Kukkuu
Birthday – November 15, 2013
Kuku has been with the school for almost three years now and has made big progress. Her parents are both living with her on Koh Tao and were sending her back to Myanmar when we convinced them to keep her on the island and send her to the school. They couldn’t afford to have her in school and had no one to watch her while they worked. Kuku is thriving at the school and is now in Year 1!

Tone Tone
Birthday – March 15, 2013
Sponsor Tone Tone
Birthday – March 15, 2013
At age 7.5, Tone Tone has just joined the school and is starting to get used to things slowly. She is a bright little girl who will do well at school if she is given the chance. Tone Tone’s family are not doing well through Covid 19 but did make the wise decision to bring her to Thailand at the very start of the Covid outbreak. We are very glad to have her with us.

Lupa
Birthday – March 27, 2019
Sponsor Lupa
Birthday – March 27, 2019
This little Daycare tot lives with both his parents on Koh Tao, however neither of them have jobs. He has an older brother of 8 years old who is in Burma and they don’t know when they will be able to see him again due to Covid 19. We hope that his brother can come to Koh To and join him at the school soon!

Phet
Birthday – March 28, 2013
Sponsor Phet
Birthday – July 24, 2012
This little girl is learning English and Burmese for the first time. She has never had the opportunity to learn her own native language as her mother put her into Thai school when she was young. Phet is now beginning to learn more about her own culture and about the big wide world outside of Koh Tao. She is learning quickly and we have high hopes that we can get her caught up with her age group.

Nab
Sponsor Nab
Nab is a Thai student that is 9 years old. he has been at the school since he was 5 years old. Nab is a talented artist with 2 sisters (Milin and Alice). Nab is very clever and extremely artistic. He loves to draw as often as he can. His family have hit very hard times during COVID 19 and have lost their businesses. They are no longer to support Nab’s schooling. You could help keep him at school!

Alice
Sponsor Alice

Kaung Sett
Sponsor Kaung Sett
Birthday – March 27, 2019
This little Daycare tot lives with both his parents on Koh Tao, however neither of them have jobs. He has an older brother of 8 years old who is in Burma and they don’t know when they will be able to see him again due to Covid 19. We hope that his brother can come to Koh To and join him at the school soon!

Chit Ko Ko
Birthday – December 3, 2014
Sponsor Chit Ko Ko
Birthday – December 3, 2014
Ko Ko is Age 6 and was born in Myanmar, he moved to Koh Tao with his parents 8 months ago for work. Mum doesn’t have a steady job anymore because of Covid. His Dad has gone back to Myanmar and doesn’t send any money for support. Ko Ko likes drawing, playing football and swimming. In fact it seems there isn’t a sport this little one doesn’t enjoy playing!

Ma Ma
Birthday – Unknown
Sponsor Ma Ma
Birthday – Unknown
Ma Ma has been full of surprises. When she first started at the school she struggled with direct eye contact and showed some worrying behaviours. Over the last few months Ma Ma now looks you in the eyes, attempts to speak English very well and is progressing much faster than we thought she ever would. Ma Ma loves to go to school and she loves to learn with her friends. She plays well with others and is starting to be very affectionate.

Moe Moe
Birthday – February 2, 2018
Sponsor Moe Moe
Birthday – February 2, 2018
This Day care baby has two loving parents that are barely working right now due to Covid 19. His father is heavily involved in helping the local community and is determined to have his son experience the education he never had. Moe Moe is adorable and very excited to arrive at daycare everyday. He is learning his colours and shapes and how to share with others. He will benefit highly from starting his foundation learning so early, he will likely be fluent in English by the time he enters primary school, with your help!

Mimi
Birthday – January 16, 2010
Sponsor Mimi
Birthday – January 16, 2010
At age 10 , Mimi has no English but has a natural gift for mathematics. She is currently able to do mathematical calculations the year 7 children cannot understand. Mimi’s parents have no money and are not able to send her back to Burma due to the 2nd wave of covid 19. She will be staying to learn English and we would like to see how quickly we can help her to learn English. She is a gifted child and we are very excited to have her at the school, we hope she can stay with your help!

Nying Nying
Birthday – March 1, 2013
Sponsor Nying Nying
Birthday – March 1, 2013
Age- 3 Nying Nying is in daycare at the school. He has been working on reaching his developmental goals and loves play based learning. He has had a lot of trouble settling into a routine and learning to sleep, but he is getting there. His parents are very poor but he is very loved. Nying Nying is very tiny but full of beans. He simply loves going to daycare. Help us keep this little one in school for years to come!

Ei That Oo
Birthday – Sept 9, 2012
Sponsor Ei That Oo
Birthday – Sept 9, 2012
Ei That Oo was the first Burmese child to attend the school. She started when she was just 2 years old and paved the way for the rest of her community here on Koh Tao. Ei That Oo was taken back to Myanmar to live with relatives just as she was learning to read for several years. She has come back and although she is behind her classmates she is working hard to catchup. Her baby sister (Dow) has just started Daycare and we are thrilled to have them both!
Ei That Oo has both her parents here on Koh Tao, however they currently have no work due to Covid 19.