Why creat a novice Buddhist monk Education fund?

The idea to extablish a Novice Buddhist Monk Education Program evolved from a project led byVenerable Ajahn Mangkone Dhammadharo, Abbot of Wat Buddhabhavana of Massachusetts, a Buddhist monastery. The initial project was to build a "Kuti" (Sleeping quarters) for novice Buddhist monks at Wat Ban Thiao in the Oudomxay Province in Laos. The generous donation by Steven and Gallaya Pierce, as well as many other donations from America and Australia, financed this project. These novice monks are between the ages of 12 and 18, studying to become ordained Theravada Buddhist

monks once they reach the age of 20

Upon his return from Laos, Ajahn Mangkone, along with Ajahn David Chutiko, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, Ms. Benja McWilliams, met and decided to creat the Novice Buddhist Monk Education Fund to support and encourage these novice monks and other young men to become Buddhist monks. Through donations, this fund provides tuition, transportation and food for the 23 novice monks at Wat Ban Thiao, allowing them to attend school some distance from the temple. Those novices who complete their studies successfully will be eligible for additional support to attend the area university.