In early 2005 Smiling Albino solicited donations via our Tsunami T-shirt program to raise money to create scholarships for two students from Ban Nam Khem, the hardest hit village during the December 2004 tsunami. The response was overwhelming with almost $4,000US being raised. These funds are being managed by SA and will pay for all school related costs from September 2006 until the end of these brave students’ college educations.

Hopes to be an air steward

Big is a hard-working Grade 7 student who one day hopes to be an air steward. School has always been his strong point, achieving an average GPA of 3.7 to date. He lives with his grandmother in a new house which was built by Thai soldiers after their original one was totally destroyed by the tsunami.
After divorcing many years ago, Big’s parents moved away, his mother to Phuket and his father’s whereabouts are unknown. He occasionally receives visits from his mother and has not seen his father in many years.
Hopefully you’ll see Big’s smiling face in the future while flying to one of the country’s many incredible destinations.

Hopes to be a doctor

Gift is a Grade 9 student and is studying very hard so she can one day achieve her dream of being a doctor.
She lives with her aunt and young cousin in a temporary house, built after the tsunami destroyed their rental property. A new permanent house is difficult for them to get as they are not landowners. Her mother and father divorced when she was very young, she has never met her father and rarely sees her mother who is remarried with a child and lives in a far away town.
With an average GPA of 3.5 we know Gift will one day be caring for others at one of the kingdom’s hospitals.