Philanthropy
Since 2006, Jeffery and Natalie Bergman have supported New Blood Academy & Orphanage for at-risk children in Mae Sot, Thailand on the border with Burma (Myanmar). With humble beginnings in a one room wood and bamboo hut with one teacher and a few dozen students, New Blood serves children whose families have fled oppression in Burma and not qualify to go to Thai government schools.
Of the approximately 400 students attending weekday classes, over 100 live at the school full time including about 60 orphans. Several times per year we personally deliver several tons of rice, dried beans, dried and canned fish, cooking oil, cleaning and school supplies, as well as sports equipment. Additionally, we will have the school’s old pickup truck repaired and buy new tires when necessary
Civil war in Burma under the brutal military dictatorship motivated several of New Blood’s teachers to take up arms and join the fight for democracy and freedom. More teachers are desperately needed and foreigners are encouraged to volunteer, even if it is only for a few weeks to teach English, Arithmetic, History, Geography etc.