Photo credit: @suitcasemama
With Thailand's reputation for beaches, shopping, and partying, it's easy to overlook the fact that significant needs still very much exist.
Thankfully, there are groups of dedicated people trying to make a difference. In an effort to shed some light on some of the good work that is being done, today I want to highlight four organizations that are contributing to positive change in Thailand. Most of these are organizations that @suitcasemama and I have personally supported in one way or another.
Do you live in Thailand or are you planning a visit? Have you spent holidays here and feel a connection to the country? Are you Thai and looking to get more involved with your community? Whatever your motivation, whether you're just passing through or live in Thailand, please consider Giving Back and supporting these worthwhile causes.
1. Nightlight International Bangkok
Source - Photo Credit: Annie Dieselberg
- Focus: Sexual exploitation and human trafficking
- How they help: Nightlight supports a range of interventions including the provision of emergency shelter, access to counseling, child-care, vocational training, education, and employment support.
- How you can help: You can volunteer if you are willing to commit one year to the cause. They have many volunteer positions open at the moment. Otherwise you can fund raise or donate here
2. Courageous Kitchen
Source
- Focus: "Inspiring marginalized youth in Bangkok through the power of food"
- How they help: Courageous Kitchen seeks to empower vulnerable young people by providing them with skills for future employment, specifically skills in the kitchen. They also provide informal pre-school, distribute food and hygiene materials, and provide housing and support for medical emergencies.
- How you can help: You can donate, volunteer, or participate in our fundraising efforts. Or better yet, take a Thai cooking class! Cooking classes are a blast and are a top recommendation of @suitcasemama and I for people visiting the city (she wrote about her favorite Thai cooking class recently here). If you book a course through Courageous Kitchen, proceeds will go toward helping them feed and train at risk youth in Bangkok.
3. Operation Smile- Thailand
- Focus: Operation Smile is a global organization that focuses on children
- How they help: Very simply, Operation Smile Thailand provides free surgeries for kids. They repair cleft lip, cleft palate, and other facial deformities.
- How you can help: You can donate or volunteer. They really need medical professionals or those with Thai language skills.
4. Save Elephant Foundation
- Focus: Elephants!
- How they help: Elephants are still severely mistreated in Thailand. Save Elephant Foundation provides assistance to Thailand’s captive elephants.
- How you can help: You can donate or you can take a trip out to the park to help feed and bathe the elephants! @suitcasemama and I haven't had the chance to do this yet, but we have friends who went out for the day and loved it. Great for kids too!
If these aren't quite your cup of tea, there are many more great projects in Thailand. I hope you're inspired to look into some of the good work that's being done here - I encourage you to Give Back as you're able!
Do you support any causes in Thailand? If so, share them below in the comment section!
Allow Me to Introduce Myself! | Husband / Father / Humanitarian / Traveler / Expat Abroad
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