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News & Stories

Balancing Motherhood and Leadership: Insights from Horizon Asia’s Founder

Balancing Motherhood and Leadership: Insights from Horizon Asia’s Founder

At Horizon Asia Educational Association (HAEA), our founder, Valerie Johnstone, expertly balances the rewarding challenges of motherhood with the responsibilities of leading a nonprofit. In this insightful Q&A, Valerie shares her journey, offering advice to mothers considering starting a nonprofit and reflecting on how being a mother has profoundly influenced her approach to education and community service. Her story serves as a testament to the power of passion and commitment in making a meaningful impact.

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Nurturing Talent: New Mentorship Opportunities for Exceptional Students

HAEA is welcoming a new mentor, Claire Robinson from the USA, to our Mentorship for Gifted Students program. Claire will be tutoring two exceptional students from Myanmar and Malaysia in ESL and Math via Zoom, with classes held every Tuesday and Thursday. Our mentorship program connects talented students with educators from around the world, providing personalized guidance to help them reach their full potential. Learn more about how we’re shaping the future of young learners through this impactful initiative!

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Maroezka Williams: A Legendary ESL Teacher Who Made Learning Fun for Our Students

Maroezka Williams: A Legendary ESL Teacher Who Made Learning Fun for Our Students

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible contributions of Maroezka Williams, an ESL volunteer teacher at Horizon Asia Educational Association (HAEA). With her creative and engaging teaching methods, Maroezka made learning English fun and accessible for students from Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand at Wonderland Jungle Hostel. Her energy, dedication, and unique approach left a lasting impact on her students and made her classes a highlight of their educational journey.

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A Monumental Achievement: Vanisa’s ESL Certification from Mee Fah

A Monumental Achievement: Vanisa’s ESL Certification from Mee Fah

After a month of dedication and hard work, Vanisa, one of our talented Orang Asli students, has received her ESL certificate from Mee Fah ESL School in Koh Tao. This marks her first educational certificate, an incredible achievement made possible through the support of Horizon Asia Educational Association (HAEA) and Wonderland Jungle Hostel. Vanisa’s success is a testament to the transformative power of education.

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HAEA Teams Up with Koh Tao Swim to Teach Students Essential Skills

HAEA Teams Up with Koh Tao Swim to Teach Students Essential Skills

HAEA is proud to sponsor swimming classes for our students who cannot swim, partnering with Koh Tao Swim to ensure they receive essential skills and confidence in the water. Through these classes, our students not only learn to swim but also earn their SSI (Scuba Schools International) certificates, opening up a world of opportunities and empowering them through aquatic education.

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Fostering Skills and Creativity: Magui’s Work with HAEA Students

Fostering Skills and Creativity: Magui’s Work with HAEA Students

Meet Magui do Canto from Uruguay – a passionate volunteer teacher at Horizon Asia Educational Association (HAEA). She has taught ESL, arts, and computer skills to our students from Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. With a rich interior design, theatre, and arts background, Magui’s lessons bring creativity and technical knowledge to life, empowering students to explore new possibilities. Her contributions have made a lasting impact on their educational journey.

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3 Leadership Insights – Valerie Johnstone (Q&A)

3 Leadership Insights – Valerie Johnstone (Q&A)

In this article, our founder, Valerie Johnstone, answers key questions about her journey in leading the Horizon Asia Education Association. Discover how creating HAEA transformed her life, how she overcame significant challenges, and the valuable lessons she learned over four years of dedicated service.

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Weekly In-Person ESL Classes for Thai and Myanmar Students

Weekly In-Person ESL Classes for Thai and Myanmar Students

Introducing Maroezka, our passionate HAEA volunteer from South Africa, who has begun leading weekly English classes for local Thai and Myanmar students. Her efforts are focused on boosting their language abilities and creating pathways to new opportunities. With Maroezka’s dedication, these students are assured of receiving top-notch education and support in a nurturing environment.

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Arts and Design Classes for Kids and Young Adults

Arts and Design Classes for Kids and Young Adults

We are pleased to share that Magui, our committed volunteer teacher, has started leading arts and design classes for kids and young adults from Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia at Wonderland Jungle Hostel. During these classes, one of our Malaysian students, Wak Jenny, discovered her passion for clothes design. To support her, we will be providing her with a second-hand sewing machine, fabrics, and essential supplies, helping her to continue developing her talent.

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Digital Literacy Classes

Digital Literacy Classes

Horizon Asia Education Association (HAEA) is excited to announce the launch of basic computer skills classes at Wonderland Jungle Hostel. These classes are held in the hostel’s communal area and are open to kids and young adults from Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia.

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Empowering Semai Youth: Vanisa and Wak Jenny`s Scuba Adventure

Empowering Semai Youth: Vanisa and Wak Jenny`s Scuba Adventure

Our indigenous students Vanisa and Wak Jenny, during their educational trip to study ESL abroad sponsored by HAEA, successfully completed the SSI Bubble Maker course at Mojo Divers. They mastered the basics of scuba diving and equipment setup in the pool, adding an exciting new skill to their educational journey.

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Intensive Tutoring for Orang Asli Girls Vanisa and Jony

Intensive Tutoring for Orang Asli Girls Vanisa and Jony

Big news: Vanisa and Jony, two talented Orang Asli girls, are set to travel internationally next month to join Mee Fah ESL School in Koh Tao. To get ready for this exciting journey, they’re participating in an intensive one-month training program. This includes daily lessons on traveling, airport navigation, border crossing, and even scuba diving. This program is designed to ensure they are fully prepared and confident for their upcoming educational adventure.

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Restaurant ESL Classes for Thai Children and Young Adults

Restaurant ESL Classes for Thai Children and Young Adults

We’re pleased to introduce Restaurant ESL classes for Thai children and young adults, starting in July 2023. Crafted and led by our Marketing Advisor Kevin, these classes are perfect for those assisting their parents in the restaurant business or aspiring to open their own. Every Sunday at Wonderland Jungle Hostel, students will gain essential English language skills tailored to the hospitality industry.

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Exploration and Discovery: Bringing Science to Life for ESL Learners

Exploration and Discovery: Bringing Science to Life for ESL Learners

Horizon Asia Education Association (HAEA) is proud to feature our Exploration and Discovery book series, published in 2022, which continues to play a key role in educating our students. Designed for young ESL learners, these books cover fundamental concepts in science, biology, physics, and more, offering engaging and accessible content. All profits from book sales are reinvested into our educational programs, supporting our students across Southeast Asia.

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Mentorship Program for Gifted Students

Mentorship Program for Gifted Students

Horizon Asia Education Association (HAEA) is proud to support and mentor a select group of gifted students through specialized courses and personalized guidance. Our mentorship program includes sponsoring courses on Outschool.com in fields such as medicine, ESL, and chemistry. With the help of our generous supporters, we also provide essential books and learning materials, ensuring these students have everything they need to pursue their dreams.

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Successful Completion of ESL Course by Tirapisen

Successful Completion of ESL Course by Tirapisen

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the ESL course by Tirapisen, an inspiring student from the Semai community, in September 2023. Tirapisen’s journey is a testament to her dedication and the support provided by Horizon Asia Education Association (HAEA).

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ESL Classes for Myanmar Kids in Thailand

ESL Classes for Myanmar Kids in Thailand

We’re happy to announce the start of ESL classes for Myanmar children in Thailand, beginning February 2023. Thanks to a partnership with Wonderland Jungle Hostel, which has generously provided a classroom, these sessions offer a bright opportunity for learning. The hostel’s staff and guests volunteer as teachers, contributing actively to this meaningful educational initiative.

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Community Hall Built for Pos Woh Villagers

Community Hall Built for Pos Woh Villagers

With great pride, we announce the completion of a new community hall for the villagers of Pos Woh, made possible by the generous support of HAEA’s friends and donors. Furnished with essential items like furniture, toys, a library, a classroom, electricity, and second-hand computers, the hall now serves as both a pre-school and a community center, providing crucial resources and opportunities for education and engagement.

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ESL Classes in Rural Russia

ESL Classes in Rural Russia

Horizon Asia Education Association (HAEA) has always been dedicated to spreading educational opportunities far and wide. From September 2021 to March 2022, HAEA was proud to offer ESL classes to children in the Irbit district of the Ural Mountains in rural Russia. These classes were held four times a week and catered to local kids, providing them with invaluable English language skills.

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New Science and Geography Zoom Classes for Semai Kids

New Science and Geography Zoom Classes for Semai Kids

We’re launching our new science and geography Zoom classes for Semai children, which began in December 2021. These classes, conducted twice a week, are tailored to teach basic concepts in biology, physics, and astronomy, even to children who have never attended school. With customized materials and the help of Semai/English-speaking volunteer teachers for translation, we aim to foster a strong curiosity and understanding of the world.

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Photography Workshop for Talented Orang Asli Student Tira

Photography Workshop for Talented Orang Asli Student Tira

We are delighted to share the story of Tira, a gifted Orang Asli student from Pos Woh, who has discovered her passion for photography. Since receiving a professional camera donated to our Education Centre, Tira has been capturing stunning images of her kampung and its surroundings. Her natural talent and dedication are truly inspiring.

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Happy Readers Programme: Teaching Human Rights History, Science, and Geography

Happy Readers Programme: Teaching Human Rights History, Science, and Geography

The Happy Readers Programme, a joint effort by NGO Perak Women for Women and HAEA, is thriving. This initiative offers free Zoom classes every Sunday for children aged 8-15, covering human rights history, science, and geography. HAEA plays a crucial role by creating study materials and providing volunteer teachers bi-weekly, nurturing a sense of justice and curiosity in these young learners.

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New ESL Program Launched for Semai Community

New ESL Program Launched for Semai Community

We are excited to announce the launch of a new ESL program tailored for the Semai community in Pos Woh village, Perak, Malaysia. This program aims to enhance English proficiency among students, providing them with better opportunities for education and employment. With dedicated online classes conducted thrice weekly, our volunteer teachers from around the world are making a significant impact.

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