Brackett Refugee Education Fund
Invite reviews
My husband Curt and I met the Bracketts when we working on the Thai/Myanmar border in 1999. After listening to Tom and Liz tell stories about their work and hearing stories about them from those they had helped Curt and I vowed that we would strive to be just like them when we grew up. We have been working toward that goal ever since. The message that the Brackett foundation teaches is that an educated populous can change the world. A good friend of ours gave us this quote which proves the importance of the Brackett Foundation work, “Education cannot be taken by corrupt officials, lost or stolen. Education is easily transferred and carried it doesn’t get left behind when people move, but grows in value as it is shared.”
Photos
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Mae Sot Thailand when Tom and Liz were working at the Mae Tao clinic interviewing prospective students. They also gave us great advice on the best way to support migrant schools.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
find a way to get them more money.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
having dinner with Tom and Liz after a long day of work, sharing our successes, failures and hopes for the future.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Wonderful, caring and generous.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
educate 10's of thousands of young people. They would change the world.
Ways to make it better...
only I had more time to spend with them.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Funding, they have everything else they need.
One thing I'd also say is that...
Tom and Liz are amazing humanitarians and educators. I have never met two more dedicated, hard working individuals and to top that off they are one of the most inspiring couples I know.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I first met the Bracketts (Liz and Tom) and their organization on the Thai-Burma border where I was doing some medical work. I've been a supporter ever since, because of their focus on education, face-to-face interviews and follow-up with every (very deserving!) recipient of their funding. The Bracketts demonstrate a persistent, consistent, methodical approach to establishing a very effective organization to fund education for those who need and appreciate it most.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The results are evident in their simple e-newsletter and on their website.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
continue exactly as Tom and Liz are doing.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
Theirs is a simple, but critical goal: to provide the means of basic education to those who arguably need and appreciate it the most.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
exemplary human beings.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
establish a financial base from which to perpetuate and appropriately expand its operations.
Ways to make it better...
As a Canadian donor my contributions are not tax-deductible but I make them anyway.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
the recipients of the educational funding provided are often disenfranchised (stateless) refugees or displaced people with no protection from violent and opportunistic persecution.
One thing I'd also say is that...
you should really look into this organization and contact the Bracketts if you have any questions or concerns or would like to be involved.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
Tom and Liz Brackett have a deep altruism that comes from the heart and has great staying power; I have seen that in action over many years. Strong organizational skills come with it, plus a spirit that brings other people with them into this good cause. A look at the BREF newsletter and balance sheet shows that what they spend has impressive results in an area with overwhelming problems.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
education and opportunities for young people whose situations would otherwise be nearly hopeless.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
try not to change a thing.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
seeing the good results, and staying in touch with the Brackett family.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
without exception outstanding.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
keep up the good work and also invest in the future of the organization--might need more paid staff.
Ways to make it better...
if I weren't so far away; supporters at a distance see the good results, but they miss some good times.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
maintaining continuity over time.
One thing I'd also say is that...
If the BREF had been in charge of US relations with Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, we'd be in a better place.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I am pleased to recommend the Brackett Refugee Education Fund. I serve on the Advisory Council and assist with donations. This is a hands-on organization led by the founders, Tom and Liz Brackett. There is minimal administrative costs. All monies donated go directly to the education of the students. Volunteers who go abroad with the Bracketts to interview students and assess potential new students are responsible for their own travel expenses. This is an organization that I find refreshing in that their mission is exactly what it states, to provide an education to those who would otherwise not have that opportunity. Liz and Tom Brackett are to be commended for the inspiration, dedication and knowledge they provide which, I believe, is paramount to world peace.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the many students who are in school now. I have also met several students who traveled to the United States.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not change the pattern that the Bracketts have set up.
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
the genuine commitment to providing education to those who would otherwise not have this opportunity.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
all focused on one goal, education. Some of these volunteers are still working and others have retired.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
provide education to so many more students.
Ways to make it better...
I had more time to devote to them.
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
getting more volunteers to take up the responsibility of traveling abroad and interviewing the present students and potential new students.
One thing I'd also say is that...
I am honored to have found such an organization to be associated with. I give all credit to the founders, Liz and Tom Brackett.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
I would like to say to Curt & Cathy, the founders of Thirst-Aid, that among all the people we have met who work to serve others in need, they are the best. They have the energy, the talent, the ability to listen and learn, and above all that sense of humor which is vital to doing effective work for others. Be sure to check out their website at Thirst Aid .