BROOKS INSTITUTE & DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL SUCCESSFULLY RAISED $20,000 TO REBUILD A SCHOOL FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN OF LAOS

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – (June 9, 2008) – Brooks Institute & Direct Relief International co-hosted a silent print-auction fundraiser to help Brooks graduate, Bryan Watt, and his wife, Leila Srour, rebuild a school and children's center in Laos. On Thursday, June 5, 2008 from 5-8:00pm the prints were auctioned off to the public during the monthly gallery event coinciding with Santa Barbara's Downtown First Thursday art walk. Brooks Institute & Direct Relief International successfully raised their goal of $20,000! The photographic exhibition of prints will be displayed through July 10th at the Brooks Institute Cota Street Gallery, 27 E. Cota Street.

Bryan Watt graduated from Brooks Institute's undergraduate program in December 1998. He then entered the graduate program and became a graduate assistant teaching the first two courses in the professional photography program. While he was a student, he spent time in Laos where he was overwhelmed by the desperate need of children in the area. Returning to the U.S. he inspired his wife, Dr. Leila Srour, to give up her pediatric practice in Santa Barbara and move to Laos to help these children in need. In May of 2002, they made the move and have lived and worked there ever since.

In the northern city of Muang Sing in Laos near the Chinese border, there is a temporary classroom structure built out of sticks with a thatched roof. The Watts' current objective is to rebuild a permanent school with a children's center for 286 children. Brooks Institute is dedicated to help them achieve this goal. The silent auction held on June 5th was made possible by the donation of prints from the alumni, staff, faculty, and friends of Brooks Institute.

Bryan Watt believes a socially responsible photographer leaves with a part of the subject's soul; and in return, must give by helping those in need. Brian and Leila help to arrange medical care at the local, provincial, and national level, and have also helped Lao children to travel overseas for heart surgery and facial reconstruction. Bryan donates 100% of the profits he makes from his photography to support his cause while Leila donates her medical expertise to the children.

Brooks Institute, Bryan Watt, and Leila Srour would like to thank the Santa Barbara community for helping to make this happen.

For more information on Laos and how you can donate to the cause, please visit www.laochildren.org. Or you can contact Brooks' photography faculty member, Russ McConnell at (805) 690-7612.

About Brooks Institute
Brooks Institute celebrates more than 60 years of educating students in the visual and media arts. With campuses in Santa Barbara and Ventura, California, the school offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in fields including Professional Photography, Visual Journalism, Film and Video Production and Graphic Design, and a Master of Fine Arts degree in Photography. Brooks' graduates are visible nationally and internationally, working for distinguished organizations including National Geographic, Smithsonian, Los Angeles Times and other national media outlets, including Hallmark Publishing, Cousteau Society, HBO, Kodak and other industry leaders in the visual media arts fields. Brooks Institute is a member of the Career Education Corporation (NASDAQ:CECO) network of universities, colleges and schools. For more information about Brooks Institute and the school's programs, visit www.brooks.edu, or call 805-966-3888.