JWS 60 Foundation

The Background story of the CLC

In 2004 the founders of JWS 60 Foundation, Mr. Walter Stowe and Mrs.Janet Stowe adopted two Thai siblings aged 4 and 6 who now live with them in the USA. When they went to pick up the children they noticed an 18 year old beggar in front of the orphanage, and they were told that this teenager had once lived at the orphanage and now due to his age he was no longer eligible. This saddened them greatly to see the lack of opportunity for underprivileged teenagers like this unfortunate boy.

Through this moving experience Mr. and Mrs. Stowe decided to help more teenagers like these and thus the idea for the JWS 60 Foundation was born. They decided to finance the building of the ‘Community Learning Center for Development of Humanity ‘.This included a free boarding school to be located at section 6 Wat Arun that would house and educate underprivileged teenagers from all over Thailand.

From this generous donation the construction of the school was completed in September 2006.  On the 19th September the Ministery of Education announced the legality of the centre and the new center was acknowledged by the Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.  Mr and Mrs Stowe presided over  the opening ceremony on the 27th October 2006.

There are currently 19 teenagers attending the boarding school and 38 students have graduated and all are now in full time employment. Members of the Thai community regularly attend weekend education and Cultural courses at the CLC thanks to JWS 60 Foundation.

All those at the Temple of Dawn and especially the children are extremely grateful to Mr and Mrs. Stowe who with their generosity have helped to change the lives of many Thai teenagers.

Phra Methiratanadilok Assistant Abbot and leader of Section 6 of Wat Arun Rajawararam has been supporting the project.  He is the chairman of the committee and Director of the Centre for Buddha Dhamma Practice and International Charity.  He is also the Director of the Community Learning Center for Development of Humanity.