THE VIVIAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND 2011
Since we first started in 2008 with originally 6 medical [5th and 6th year] students, we are now approaching a total of 20 medical students, who benefit from this funding. The actual grant has also increased substantially. It is ensured that this money is only contributed to those students, who come from a lower economic background and whose families need extra assistance to enable their daughters and sons to become pillars of their comunities.
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The benefits this will add to Rural Thailand communities is huge. We are all so very grateful for this continuing fund, which is helping support our young Thai doctors.
Here is how it all started......
In October 2008, after several months of correspondence with the Soroptimist International Dusit Club (SID), Thailand, the Vivian Slot Scholarship Fund decided to work together with SI Dusit in giving the medical scholarships at Khon Kaen University, Thammarart and Naresuan Universities.
Vivian Kristina Aimee Slot was a three-year old girl who tragically lost her life in Thailand near Chicken Island during the Tsunami disaster on December 26, 2004.
She was born in Singapore on November 8, 2001 to a Croatian mother, Helena and a Dutch father Steven. She grew up in Singapore and traveled in her short life to four continents! She was “A child of the World”, speaking two and understanding three languages. With her two older brothers, Bastiaan and Matthijs, she was the princess of the family, a much loved “baby girl. We all believe that Vivian would have been a very smart adult, capable of becoming a medical doctor.
What happened to Vivian – on Boxing Day 2004, the family went with a small boat to Chicken Island when the Tsunami hit. Vivian was lost for two days and was found drowned by a diver
"Vivian lives in our hearts."
"She is our twinkling star!"
" We can not touch her, but she is all the time with us."
These quotes for Vivian are next to the two Frangipani trees planted in memory of Vivian at her two schools she attended: Jip en Janneke, Hollandse School in Singapore, and Hong Lok Yuen International School in Hong Kong.
There are two medical instruments (at the youth section for respiration problems) donated to the Krabi Hospital in Thailand. On the instruments, there are photos (the one above) and a dedication to Vivian, with her date of birth, 8 November 2001, and the day she died in the Tsunami, 26 December 2004. Parents give their appreciation to Vivian when their children are hooked up to those medical instruments.
The Vivian Scholarship’s Mission:
To be able to study Medicine at a Thai university. The study of Medicine is chosen because the Slot Family experienced the most incredible, generous and unselfish medical support in a time of natural disaster in Thailand. In the time between life and death, medical knowledge is crucial.
The Fund was initiated by members of the Ball Hockey Team ‘Chilicrabs’ from Singapore to commemorate Vivian Slot, the daughter of their team member, who tragically lost her life in Thailand, during the Tsunami 2004. Soon the Hong Kong and Thai Ball Hockey teams joined in and consequently friends, families, and supporters from all around the world have been encouraged to donate to the fund, arranging the charitable events to raise the money.
Contacts of people who support the program:
Kathy Barnett: kathyfbarnett@yahoo.com A member of Soroptimist International Dusit (SID), based in Thailand. Kathy, along with Khun Pattama and Khun Kanchana do the follow-ups and correspond with the students. [Yes, I do write in English as I feel it helps these students practise their English. Thankfully I have Pattama and Kanchana to help me with any Thai landguage.]
Helena Slot-Mencer: helena_slot@yahoo.com, Mother of Vivian, contact with SID and students.
Steven Slot: steven_slot@yahoo.com , Father of Vivian, Coordinator.
Please also go to: http://www.unizg.hr/vivianscholarship/
Every year we are finding that we have to divert to other teaching Hospitals and Universities. There is a growing need for more Medical teaching institutions to follow in this field. Better and improved Education in Thailand means that there are more young people wanting to become doctors.
We are not complaining!!
