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　2005 was a year of accelerated economic growth, but on the other hand, political uncertainties such as social unrest in three provinces of the far south and an "anti-Thaksin" street movement became conspicuous. Steady economic growth is creating a bigger middle class in the urban areas, however the economic gap is certainly increasing and the living conditions of low income group are becoming harsher. Crimes involving children are not uncommon, and in the present situation children in city slums, farming villages and highland areas are compelled to live confronting with physical and mental risks.
　In view of the above situation, SVA intends to continue the library and scholarship activities for the children of city slums, underprivileged farming villages and highland areas. In 2006, we will hold training camps for the scholarship recipients' youth leaders, seminars for child-care staff and reinforce the level of quality in library activities, while emphasizing public relations programs and fund raising activities in Thailand.

Photo: Masao Seto

LIBRARY ACTIVITIES:
　2005 was the second year of a three-year program of the project for child-care staff, involving storytelling and the expansion of the network as main parts of the project. We were planning to expand our activities beyond our usual areas such as to Chiang Mai province and other areas, but we had to postpone the project due to the urgent necessity for library activities in the relief and rehabilitation activities for the victims of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Nevertheless, we have carried out 222 tours of the mobile library in the city slums of Bangkok, the northern province of Payao where highland people live, and underprivileged areas in the northeastern provinces of Loei and Surin. We have also conducted 4 seminars for 312 child-care staff and assisted them to improve their ability. As for the permanent libraries, more than 70,000 people have visited, and in Baan Sawai of Surin province where the library was rebuilt, a library administration committee was organized to bring about a more resident-focused administration.

ASIAN SCHOLARSHIP ACTIVITIES: 　In 2005, scholarships were granted to 450 students. In October, as a first trial, we carried out a scholarship recipients’ “Youth Leaders Training Camp” beside the Mekong River in Chiang Khan of Loei province. This was for scholarship recipients from various areas who rarely have an opportunity to meet each other all together, and for nurturing youth leaders. 40 people participated this year. 　In 2006, we will maintain the level of 450 scholarship students and, at the same time, will organize a monitoring tour for the supporters and another “Youth Leaders Training Camp” in October.

DORMITORIES ACTIVITIES FOR MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
　Continuing on from last year, we carried out the dormitory project for middle and high school students from the remote areas of Phayao and Loei provinces who find it difficult to attend schools due to distance or economic reasons. We assisted a total of 76 students in Shanti Student Dormitory in Phayao province and Chiang Khan Dormitory in Loei province. Under the guidance of dormitory staff, they live a well-disciplined life with boarder-focused activities, and also participate in the activities of neighboring areas. In 2006, we plan to accept about 80 boarders.

INTERNATIONAL INTERCHANGE AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES:
　Due to the emergency relief activities for victims of the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, we had to curtail the receiving of visitors to less than average year levels. Nevertheless, we still received about 950 visitors. Under the international interchange program, we accepted two college students; and we also accepted one trainee for the long term volunteer training program. In July, we received invitations from Osaka Maipenrai, and in November from Minsei Chapter of Osaka Municipal Workers Union, and we dispatched Thai staff for training to increase their ability.

RESTORATION SUPPORT ACTIVITIES FOR SUAN PHLU SLUM:
　At Suan Phlu slum where a great fire occurred in April 2004, a reconstruction plan was completed in 2005 and is now underway following two separate courses: (a) self-support effort, and (b) a housing complex by the administrative authorities. SVA is administering a makeshift library at the ruined site and along with the rebuilding of the houses we are proceeding with the reconstruction of the community library, which will play a role as the regional center and a nursery school.

RELIEF AND RESTORATION SUPPORT ACTIVITIES FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI:
　A huge earthquake occurred off Sumatra on December 26, 2004 triggering an ocean-wide tsunami that snatched away more than 6,000 lives in seconds in southern Thailand. SVA Thailand office immediately took a leading role providing relief activities at Pang Nga province which suffered the worst damage and distributed food for 500 victims, large sized tents and water tanks. Further, we distributed school uniforms and school supplies to 3,000 children in the area. In cooperation with Hirosaki University Department of Global Environment Studies and Citizens toward Overseas Disaster Emergency (CODE), a disaster prevention publication entitled "Fire on Rice Stack", which is based on a Japanese folktale, has been published in the Thai language and distributed to schools and health centers.
　Now that the emergency relief period has passed, the main role of SVA has shifted to educational support. In 2006 and thereafter, we plan to carry out restoration support activities through a two-year program mainly for children with the activities of the storytelling caravan, book lending services, the administration of makeshift and permanent libraries (3 + 1) and scholarship grants to the children in the stricken areas.