After returning from their fifth annual visit to the Karen refugees in April of 1997, Tom & Liz Brackett along with John Novak, a colleague on the faculty at Colgate, established the Brackett Foundation which later adopted the name Brackett Refugee Education Fund.

Believing that the best hope for development of their lives and for the spread of peace and democracy in their country lies in education, BREF seeks opportunities to work in partnership with the people to provide access to education. Starting in 1997 with 2 university scholarships and 3 educational projects in Thailand, BREF now supports over 155 scholarships and 36 projects in Thailand, India, and Burma..

After returning from their fifth annual visit to the Karen refugees in April of 1997, Tom & Liz Brackett along with John Novak, a colleague on the faculty at Colgate, established the Brackett Foundation which later adopted the name Brackett Refugee Education Fund.

Believing that the best hope for development of their lives and for the spread of peace and democracy in their country lies in education, BREF seeks opportunities to work in partnership with the people to provide access to education. Starting in 1997 with 2 university scholarships and 3 educational projects in Thailand, BREF now supports over 155 scholarships and 36 projects in Thailand, India, and Burma.

After returning from their fifth annual visit to the Karen refugees in April of 1997, Tom & Liz Brackett along with John Novak, a colleague on the faculty at Colgate, established the Brackett Foundation which later adopted the name Brackett Refugee Education Fund.

Believing that the best hope for development of their lives and for the spread of peace and democracy in their country lies in education, BREF seeks opportunities to work in partnership with the people to provide access to education. Starting in 1997 with 2 university scholarships and 3 educational projects in Thailand, BREF now supports over 155 scholarships and 36 projects in Thailand, India, and Burma.

During its first twelve years BREF has:

• Raised more than $1.5 million to support its programs
• Supported scholarships now totalling over 150 persons a year.
• Underwritten operations for 12 primary schools, serving an estimated 2,000 Karen, Karenni and Shan children.
• Led the way in encouraging refugees to learn the native language of the country they inhabit.

BREF follows certain operating principals which we believe contribute to its success:

• Know the people you are helping, and listen carefully to their needs.
• Stay small and focused on your mission.
• Involve field workers in policy discussions
• Educate people close to home.
• Be efficient and accountable and use volunteers as much as possible.

During its first twelve years BREF has:

• Raised more than $1.5 million to support its programs
• Supported scholarships now totalling over 150 persons a year.
• Underwritten operations for 12 primary schools, serving an estimated 2,000 Karen, Karenni and Shan children.
• Led the way in encouraging refugees to learn the native language of the country they inhabit.

BREF follows certain operating principals which we believe contribute to its success:

• Know the people you are helping, and listen carefully to their needs.
• Stay small and focused on your mission.
• Involve field workers in policy discussions
• Educate people close to home.
• Be efficient and accountable and use volunteers as much as possible.

During its first twelve years BREF has:

• Raised more than $1.5 million to support its programs
• Supported scholarships now totalling over 150 persons a year.
• Underwritten operations for 12 primary schools, serving an estimated 2,000 Karen, Karenni and Shan children.
• Led the way in encouraging refugees to learn the native language of the country they inhabit.

BREF follows certain operating principals which we believe contribute to its success:

• Know the people you are helping, and listen carefully to their needs.
• Stay small and focused on your mission.
• Involve field workers in policy discussions
• Educate people close to home.
• Be efficient and accountable and use volunteers as much as possible.