I am a Trustee Representative volunteer with BREF working out in the field in Mae Sot. I have been affiliated with this organization for 6 years and travel every year to the Thai/Burma border to mentor our continuing university students and interview new applicants. All volunteers pay their own expenses for travel and accommodation, but we what we gain from the work we do is worth far more than the money spent. to get there! To be face to face with the young men and women striving through education to help their people is nothing short of inspiring. We love returning every year to see how our students grow and mature to be capable leaders in their communities. The beauty of BREF is that even just a few dollars donated can make a life changing impact here. The people we assist are intellligent and highly motivated. Together we work to create skilled professionals who can then help others improve the quality of life on the border. If you are interested in an organization with high volunteer commitment, low overhead, and high impact on a beautiful population of people who have been oppressed for decades, BREF is a great one to consider.
My name is Mawteepaw. I live in Mae Klong Village (Thai village near Burma – Thailand border).When I was a child I didn’t have Thai ID card and I have only Green card so it’s was difficult for me to travel and study. But I didn’t give up and my family also encourages me to continue my study but the only thing is they didn’t have enough money to support me. Therefore after I finished primary school in the village I went to Huay Nam Khun Village (the village near Maesot city) to stay with my uncle and started to go to high school at non formal education school or KawSawNaw so I have to go to school only once a week. In the others days I help my uncle in the village as nursery teacher and they give me allowance for that but it was not enough in my study. After I staid with my uncle for one year he had applied Brackett Scholarship for me. That was the first time I had known about Brackett Scholarship. I had got Brackett scholarship science I study in high school until I finished BA in Maesot Rajabhat Kamphaeng Phet University. Before I thought I’ll stop my education when I finished high school because I didn’t have Thai ID and my family can’t support me but because of Brackett Scholarship I have a chance to continue my study until I finish BA. Finally I got Thai ID when I study BA in third year that I had apply for it science I study in primary school. When I finished BA my younger sister also finished high school in the same time so I had applied Brackett Scholarship for her too. Now my sister study in Bangkok and she study about nursing science. My father and I have to support my sister in her study and she also got scholarship from the Brackett Scholarship because only family support it was not enough for her study. Now I’m working with AMI NGO in Thailand and I work as accountant. This NGO work for people in the Camp in Thailand and their main job is medical treatment in the Camp. I didn’t graduate in accountancy but I work as accountancy so before I start to work with this NGO they have to give me the training. Finally I would like to thanks Brackett Scholarship to support me and change my life to be better and better. Mawteepaw
I received scholarship from Brackett Foundation as part of a supplementary grant for my study betweeen 2004 and 2007. The scholarship from Brackett was essential for starting and completing my degree at an international college in Thailand. After graduation, I came back to my camp and started teaching at a post-ten school where I was asked to teach Social Studies, which is my subject of interest, and English. After a few months of teaching, I began to realize the benefit I received from my study at the university. Because I was exposed to the outside world, I think I was able to introduce a method of teaching which is different from the one the students are used to , which is reciting. The benefit of the Scholarship for Brackett is, I think, that I could share the knowledge that I have learned to my fellow refugee students, many of who are really bright. I can also see that some of my students believe that they can do like their teacher, me, who is not bright at all. Personally, receving university education is self-satisfying, and it also boosts my confidence and provide me a sense of freedom amid living in an enclosed refugee camp. As soon as I started teaching, I also realized that I still need to learn more in order to help educate my fellow refugees; thus, further education is necessary. Therefore, I believe that scholarship program like Brackett Foundation is paramont for people like me and prospective students to fulfill their dream and that of their community.
I came to know about Brackett through one of my friend parents. The Brackett supported me to go to university until I finished in year 2007. Now I am working with one NGO. I have been working here for the last two year. I met with Tom, Liz,Judy and other Brackett again last year after we met each other for several time. I was very happy to be able to help them with language translation for new student who apply for the scholarship. I am so thankful to Brackett Foundation for all of their support. Because of them I was able to complete university and get a job that I love. I am able to support myself and my family and can say that I have a very stable future, thanks to Brackett foundation I will always appreciate the opportunities that Brackett Foundation open up for me. Without this big help I would not have succeeded as far as I have. In return for Brackett support, I willing to help If there is any way I can help I offer my skills and ability to do that. Miss Moomoo
This is a great opportunity to express my appreciation and thankfulness to the Brackett Foundation publicly. The Bracketts had financially supported me to enroll in the University while I deserve to earn higher education. I am very lucky that the Bracketts Foundation step in to afford my tuition fees as I did not received full scholarship from the other scholar program. I finally graduated in 2003. There are still many students left that come from Burma to seek for further education in Thailand. Without earning education, it will be very difficult to stand and be surviving for the living. Getting education is one aspect of the social change and development that could value my life. The Bracketts Foundation has put all their kindness, love to me and to many other students. “The kindness and support you have on us will always be in our memory” Thank you so much, Jollsy
As I am a Karen and didn't have a chance to get highter education due to many reasons, I was trying to look for people or organization to support me with my further education. I was lucky to get to know The Brackett Foundation. I was supported by The Brackett from my first to last year to study Southeast Asian Studies at Mahidol University International College. Without them I would not get a chance to go to college and finished my BA. The Brackett Foundation has been supported refugees and people along the Thai/Burma border for years, so that that these poeple can go back and help their community and people. They help people to get education, so that people can use the education they get to help their poeple. I am impressed by their hard work, mission and the commiment. I love them as the way they are and because of the hard work they work for me and my poeple.
I am a person who was born in the war zone of Karen State. Since I was a child my dream of education had been a major object in my life. However, with the causes of civil war which resulted in the burning down of my village and my school many times by the Burma Army, I never thought I could graduate from university. After I narrowly escape from that civil war zone I was able to further my education in Thailand. With the combination of many lovely hands to help me I was able to achieve my goal. I first knew Tom and Liz Brackett when I was in my first year of University. I talked about my problem to them, and they did not hesitate to help me. They helped me until I graduated from the university (B.S.C Biological Science). Tom and Liz are always great friends to me. After, I graduated from the school, I came back and now work with a local organization which is focusing on environmental issues and sustainable development in Karen State. I am very happy to get this opportunity to go to school but that was not enough for me. I also want my fellow friends who grew up in the same situation like me to have a chance to go to school like I did. Now, Tom Brackett not only helps me, he also helps my fellow friends who grew up in the same situation like me. His help wipes away many tears from the people who are thirsty for education. I now work as a coordinator of two schools which are supported by Brackett Foundation, supplying by basically teacher’s salaries and an orphaned children’s boarding house. Some orphaned students have been living with bullet scars on their body until today. Many have been snared and have lived with bitterness for many years, now these students have got a chance to go to school. This is a well done job that no one else did, to go and help those needy people like this, in that kind of out reach zone. I know Brackett Foundation supports many students, university students, and many schools in the refugee’s camps along the Thai-Burma Border, India-Burma Border and inside Burma. I hope his good work and hard effort which fulfills many needs for the needy children will also mean that his needs will always be fulfilled. I thank the Brackett Foundation, and those who help the Foundation from the bottom of my heart and know that all other students will feel the same. I finally wish long life to the Brackett Foundation. Regards Blaw Htoo
TomBrackett 05/26/2010
Saw Blaw Htoo is one of our success stories in that he not only did well in his studies, but he has remained on the border, and frequently returns to help his people inside Burma. We are most happy to enable a partnership between Blaw Htoo and our donors to help his suffering people inside Burma. We would be happy to have you join us.
Impact and integrity. Tom & Liz Brackett and their team are doing the work with personal contact, making life better for others. They pay their own way, connecting to the people who are seeking education thus maximizing the effect of one's donations.
TomBrackett 05/26/2010
I do not know this reviewer, but I certainly appreciate his or her review. I would merely add that not only do we pay our own way, but all of those fine people who work with us pay there own way as well. And the Trustees make sure their own donations are enough to cover all of our overhead costs, less then 4% of our total costs. This insures that all of your donations go directly to support the people we serve.
It is refreshing to be able to support a Non-profit where I am positive that ALL of my contribution will go to forward the charitable goals of that Nonprofit. The Brackett Refugee Education Fund is such an organization.All donations are used 100% to further the goals of the Organization; none for fund-raising or administrational expenses. I have known the Bracketts for 30+ years, as colleagues and neighbors. I can vouch for their honesty and integrity,and for the necessity of the work they are doing, themselves, and through the Brackett Foundation.
TomBrackett 05/26/2010
What more can I say than, thank you, ptrum. If I can guess who you are, I would remember the many fine opportunities to sing with you, and your husband.
The Bracketts Refugees Education Fund has supported many schools along Thai-Burma border, India-Burma border, and inside Burma. They also supported students to further their education in College as well as in the University. With their support, many refugees’ students fulfilled their dreams that some has never thought that would happened to them at all in their lives. Their supports provide the opportunities to students to become the educated people so that these educated people can then serve the people in the society and country. I am one of them who have the privilege to receive the grant and was able to continue my education. I know the Brackett when I was a teenager girl, I started knowing them as my English teacher, and then they continued to support me financially to continue my education in Refugees Camp as well as in Burma. Also, with their grant, I was able to study in Nursing program in Assumption University for three years. I am happy to recommend the brackets Refugees Education Fund, with the donation that you make, it will provide the opportunity to those who are really in needs. I am again really thankful to the Bracketts for their work, the opportunity that they provide to the refugees students are very precious. On behalf of all the refugees’ students that were supported by this grant, I want to thank all the donors and volunteers for your contribution and time and may our Lord continue to bless your families and all of your works.
TomBrackett 05/26/2010
We first met Naw Per Htoo in 1992, and have seen her every year since then. She was always recognized to be very bright. When she finished high school in a refugee camp --this was conducted in her native Karen language--, she was sent to Burma so she could learn Burmese and pass the exams there, so she could enter college. After two years she learned enough Burmese to pass the college entrance exams, but for reasons too complex to go into here, could not go to university. She finally returned to the border and learned enough to attend school in English. So finally after passing high school in three separate languages, over a period of five or six years she was finally able to attend university. Then, after three years of study, her family resettled in the US, and Per Htoo is starting all over again. Such is the life of a refugee.
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.”
TomBrackett 05/26/2010
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 .
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.
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.
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.
TomBrackett 05/31/2010
Tu was not only lucky, she was very hard-working. She joined an intensive English course, and succeeded well enough to enter university teaching in English medium. What we appreciate most of all, is that she has stayed on the border and is now working to help her people.