Make a difference in someone's life 

It is the weak and poor who are hurt the most by the economic crisis. Individuals and organisations dedicated to helping the unprivileged are struggling as funds dry up. In the season's spirit of giving, we hope this year-end roundup of the charities Outlook has covered in 1997 will help you choose a project or two to support - to help make a difference in someone's life. 

Compiled by Outlook reporters 
Illustration by SOMKID CHAIJITVANIT 

EDUCATION and CHILDREN: 

BOAT SCHOOL: A simple houseboat serves as a school for children at Ban Ko Chad San, a remote village in Li district, Lamphun. To go to school, children must take a 35-minute trip by boat. They need financial help. Address: Ban Ko Chad San School, Moo 4, Tambon Ko, Li district, Lamphun. Or the Office of the National Primary Education, Lamphun. Tel (053) 599-222.

RURAL SCHOOL: Thatched-roofed Ban Huay Sai Kao School in Nan is bursting at the seams with 120 children supervised by only two teachers. They need a bigger school, better equipment, and volunteer teachers. Address: The Duangkaew Foundation, Institute of Medical Research, Somdej Phra Pin Klao Royal Thai Naval Hospital, 504 Somdej Phra Chao Taksin Road, Bukkhalo, Thon Buri. Tel/Fax: 867-5399. For donations: "Scholarships for Underprivileged Children in Rural Areas", savings account number 040-2-26886-6, Thai Military Bank's Somdej Phra Pin Klao Hospital branch.

TOO SMALL TO GET HELP: The remote Baan Had Thaeng village school by the Sri Nakarin Dam is not qualified for funding from the Education Ministry because it has only 33 students. Amphai Suwanasilp, the school's only teacher, struggles to save her students from illiteracy. Address: Amphai Suwanasilp, 3/6 Moo 9, Tambon Park Praek, Muang district, Kanchanaburi, 71000. Tel: (034) 515-572.

DEVOTED TEACHERS: Sunthorn and Chuleemart Pannon, a teacher couple in Khon Kaen, ran up a huge debt helping 200 poor students in the Northeast get an education. They need help for the children. Address: 139 Moo 5, Bann Ya Kha, Tambon Muang Phon, Phon district, Khon Kaen 40120. Tel (043) 339-056. For donations: "Programme for Supporting Children's Education" savings account no. 167-25035-4, Thai Farmers Bank, Phon district branch in Khon Kaen. 

SINGING PRINCIPAL: Sompong Muenjit, a rural school principal, sings and records his songs to raise funds for poor students in Tak. Tel (055) 561-026.

HOLY MERCY HOME: The loss of their only daughter led a missionary couple in Ayutthaya to become substitute parents to 47 hilltribe children who receive free lodging, food, clothes, and education under their care. Address: Holy Mercy Home (Ban Phra Metta), 23/1 Moo 6, Pratuchai, Muang district, Ayutthaya. Tel (035) 244-627. For donations: No: 243-2-45927-9, Thai Farmer's Bank, Ayutthaya branch. 

FREE SCHOOL: The Jedee Luang Temple in Chiang Mai has been giving free education to over 2,000 poor boys in its Mettasuksa School for over three decades. More donations can support more needy students. Address: Mettasuksa School, 103 Prapokklao Road, Muang district, Chiang Mai. Tel (053) 277-783.

SHOES: Many poor rural pupils in Chai Nat walk barefooted to school. They need shoes. Address: Mr Kasem Nienpak, Office of Provincial Primary Education, Chai Nat. Tel (056) 412-251. Or contact the Bangkok Post's editorial manager Mrs Kusuma Mintakhin at the Post's headoffice, Tel 240-3700.

DAY-CARE FOR SLUM CHILDREN: To give poor slum children pre-school education, Nuannoi "Khru Noi" Timkul uses her home as a free day-care centre which constantly needs food, books and learning tools. Address: No. 319, Moo 1, Soi Rat Burana 26, Bangkok 10140. Tel 871-3040. For donations: "The Fund for Khru Noi's Home," account number 117-2-15788-2, Bangkok Bank of Commerce, Rat Burana branch.

SPARROW HOME FOR BABIES OF PRISONERS: The New Light Group, a group of expatriate women, has set up "Sparrow Home" for the children of female prisoners so that they can receive proper attention and care while waiting to be reunited with their mothers. Donations and volunteers are needed. Contact the group's chairperson on 711-2962 or fax 711-2936.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS LIBRARIES: The Jintana-Eaksakdi Daengdej Library Foundation has filled 300 libraries in rural schools with quality children's books. The foundation aims to equip 30,000 libraries nationwide. Address: Jintana-Eaksakdi Daengdej Library Foundation, 36/9 Soi Sirimitr, Ramkhamhaeng 24, Hua Mark, Bang Kapi, Bangkok 10240. Tel 319-5151. Or contact the Foundation for Children, 169/175 Soi Charan Sanitwong 12 (Wat Dee Duad), Klong San, Bangkok 10600. Tel 438-0353-4 or 438-9331-2.

YOUTHS AND DRUGS: A former drug addict has set up a rehabilitation centre in Yasothon to help youngsters kick the dangerous habit and restore their self-esteem. Address: Suthasinee Klui-ngern, Children and Youth for Development Centre and Rehabilitation Programme, 113 Moo 12, Bann Prachasan, Tambon Tardthong, Muang district, Yasothon 35000. Tel (045) 722-240-1. Pager (152) 370-017. For donations: Chook Chern: Krong Karn Puea Dek Lae Yoawachon (Emergency: Children and Youth for Development), number 166-1-23679-0, Bank of Ayudhya's Yasothon branch.

HILLTRIBE CHILDREN 

SAVE TWINS: Many twins have been killed because the Akha believe they were evil. The Akha Education and Culture Centre in Chiang Mai wants to change that through education and support for twins' families. Its milk scheme for Akha twin babies need donations. Address: 370 Moo 4 Tambon Rim Kok, Muang district, Chiang Rai 57000. Tel (053) 714-250. Fax (053) 751-079.

KAREN CHILDREN: Businessman Ralf Oberg has set up day-care centres for Karen children and supports the education of Karen youths so that they can cope with modern change. Address: PO Box 954, Phra Khanong 10110, Bangkok. Tel 942-1145. Or call Bill Timmons on 391-5671.

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE: To preserve their culture, the Karen Culture Education Fund is undertaking a project to integrate their indigenous culture and ancestral knowledge with formal education in Karen schools. For donations: "POWS EDU&CUL FUNDS", account no. 679-2-05052-9, Thai Commercial Bank's Sangkla Buri branch, Kanchanaburi. For details contact Wildlife Fund of Thailand on 521-3435 or 552-6083.

STREET CHILDREN: Huen Nam Jai Home in Chiang Mai gives free shelter and education to street children, mostly hilltribe children, to prevent them from falling into drugs, prostitution and Aids. Address: Pastor Kunakorn Kunasawat, Chang Kham Church, Hang Dong district, Chiang Mai. Tel (053) 433-571. For donations: Chang Kham Church's Street Children Project, account number 4590321396, Bangkok Bank, Hang Dong branch. 

THE DISABLED 

SELF-HELP GROUP: A crippled man, Sanom Letaisong, set up a self-help group for the handicapped in Buri Ram. Among the work skills his centre offers are weaving, bag-making, and radio repair. Address: The Handicapped People's Group, Baan Song Daeng Temple, Baan Song Daeng, Na Pho district, Buri Ram. Tel (044) 629-243. Bank account: Handicapped People's Fund of Na Pho District, savings account number 240-2-30025-4, Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives, Phut Thai Song branch. 

TRAINING FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED: The Punyawuthikorn School gives the mentally handicapped vocational training in cooking, gardening and cleaning. It needs funding and jobs for its students. Address: Punyawuthikorn School, No. 4, Soi 7 Prachasongkroa Road, Prachaniveth 1, Bangkok 10900. Tel 589-5762. 

COMPUTER TRAINING: The Redemptorist Vocational School in Pattaya gives intensive computer training to young disabled persons. Address: Suporntum Mongkolsawadi, headmaster, the Redemptorist Vocational, PO Box 1, Pattaya, Chon Buri 20260. Tel (038) 716-248-9. Fax (038) 420-340.

SIGN LANGUAGE VOLUNTEERS: A shortage of sign language interpreters has robbed the deaf of educational and employment opportunities. They need volunteers to work as interpreters or some other capacity. Address: The National Association of the Deaf in Thailand. Tel 717-1902-3. Fax 717-1904. For donations: account number 168-1-13783-9, Bank of Ayudhya, Pattanakarn branch.

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS: A retired American doctor has established a foundation which gives amputees free artificial limbs and the chance to live a normal life again. Address: The Buddha Khun Medical Foundation, No. 26, Baan Tha Sila, Moo 4, Mae Kha, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai 50230. Or call 053-368-667. Office hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

WOMEN 

VIOLENCE AND DISCRIMINATION: The Friends of Women Foundation runs a home for rape victims, gives legal help to beaten wives and abused workers, supports a self-help group for women with family problems, and campaigns for women's rights. Address: 1379/30 Soi Praditchai, Samsen Nai, Phya Thai, Bangkok 10400. Tel 270-0928, 279-7158, 618-2707-8. Fax 270-0929.

BAR GIRLS: The Rahab Beauty Shop in Patpong offers bargirls both emotional support and vocational training opportunities to get out of prostitution. Address: The Rahab Ministries, PO Box 57, Patpong Post Office, Bangkok 10506. Tel/fax 236-9270.

BAR GIRLS: EMPOWER, a women's rights organisation, provides non-formal education for bar girls and other entertainment workers.Address: 57/60 Tiwanon Road, Tambon Taladkwan, Nonthaburi 11000. Tel 526-8311 or 236-9272 in Bangkok, or (053) 282-504 in Chiang Mai.

WORKERS 

CHILD WORKERS: The Foundation for Children's Development runs the Second Home for Child Labour near Hua Lamphong railway station. Apart from providing recreational activities and counselling, the foundation also campaigns for educational opportunities and better working conditions for child workers. Address: 143/109-111 Pin Klao Pattana Housing Estate, Soi Wat Suwannakiri, Borom Ratchachonanee Road, Bangkok 10700. Tel 433-6292. Fax 435-5281. Call the Second Home for child workers on 613-7933.

ILLEGAL WORKERS: A group of expatriates is giving spiritual support and basic necessities to illegal immigrants during their detention at the Bangkok Immigration Detention Centre. Volunteers are needed. Address: IDCCC, Christ Church, Convent Road. Tel 234-3634.

LYDIA HOUSE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS: The Lydia House helps job-seekers from the provinces by giving them temporary accommodation and evening meals. Address: Ulla Fewster or Silla Cha-lair, Lydia House, 196/41-42 Soi Pracharat 4, Krungthep-Non Road, Saam Yaek Taopun, Bang Sue, Bangkok 10800. Tel/fax 911-5684. For donations: Savings account number 027-2-38487-4, Siam Commercial Bank, Bang Pho branch. 

HIV/AIDS 

HIV CHILDREN: The Agape Home in Chiang Mai provides a home for HIV-positive babies. Donations and volunteers are needed. Address: The Agape Home, 101/22 Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, Tambon Nonghoy, Muang district, Chiang Mai 50000. Or P.O. Box 95, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand. Tel/fax (053) 800-946.

ADVOCACY: Ittirak Smithsuwan has gone public about being HIV-positive to dispel discrimination against people with HIV and Aids. He has also set up a self-help group called Life and Hope Club. Address: Life and Hope Club, No. 5 Soi 2 Seree 1, Seree 2 Road, Suan Luang, Bangkok 10250. Tel 318-5600. Pager 152 call 472-925.

MEDICAL SERVICES

LEPROSY: The McKean Rehabilitatin Centre in Chiang Mai helps victims of leprosy, giving them treatment, shelter, vocational training and a spiritual life. Address: P.O. Box 53, Chiang Mai, 50000. Tel (053) 277-049, 817-170-1, 817-267.

SURGERY FOR THE POOR: The Duangkaew Foundation gives free surgery to poor rural patients with cleft lips, cleft palates and scars from burns. Address: The Duangkaew Foundation, Institute of Medical Research at Somdej Phra Pin Klao Royal Thai Naval Hospital. Tel/fax 876-5399 or 475-2572. For donations: "Operation for Handicapped Persons in Rural Areas", savings account number 040-2-25022-9, Thai Military Bank's Somdej Phra Pin Klao Hospital branch.

MOBILE CLINICS: Volunteers of the Compassion of Christ Mission (CCM) Clinic provide rural poor with much-needed medical services once a month. Volunteers, medical staff and doctors are needed. Address: Dusadee Borrirakpattanakul, CCM co-ordinator, P.O. Box 222, Phrakanong Post Office, Bangkok 10110. Tel/fax 375-1304 or mobile phone tel (01) 813-9141.

THERAPY FOR THE ELDERLY: The Faculty of Nursing, Thai Red Cross Society runs a physical theraphy programme to rehabilitate poor elderly in Klong Toey slum who suffer from paralysis and other physical disorder. Addresses: Care for the Elderly in Klong Toey Project (CES), Sala Prachakhom Community Hall, Block 4-6, Klong Toey Community, Atnarong Road, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110. Or contact Ms Wanpen Inkaew, the College of Nursing, Thai Red Cross Society, 1873 Rama IV Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330. Tel 256-4091-7. Fax 256-4090.

MODEL RURAL DOCTOR: Named Outstanding Rural Doctor by Sirirraj Hospital this year, Dr Krai Dabtham devotes himself to helping the rural sick and poor in the remote northern highlands of Mae Ai, Chiang Mai. Address: The Mae Ai Hospital Fund, Dr Krai Dabtham, Mae Ai Hospital, Mae Ai district, Chiang Mai. Tel: (053) 459-036-7.

ANIMALS 

TEMPLE DOGS : A homeless man has devoted himself to taking care of 300 stray dogs which have been abandoned or injured in car accidents at a temple in Ayutthaya. Address: Phra Khru Sonnthornwattanakorn, abbot of Wat Klang, Moo 2, Tambon Mahabrahm, Bang Ban district, Ayutthaya. Tel (035) 399-009. 

ELEPHANT HOSPITAL: The Elephant Hospital in Lampang is in need of financial assistance to help sick and injured elephants as well as to give old elephants a last refuge. Address: Friends of the Asian Elephant, 36/15 Moo 2, Ramindra, Km. 4, Bangkhen, Bangkok 10220. Tel 552-3824, 971-9221, or 521-2758. For donations: Saving account no. 088-2-20983-0, Thai Farmers Bank's Ram Intra branch. For receipts, please call 521-2758.

SAVE THE WATER BUFFALOES: The Animal Husbandry Foundation campaigns for the public to help save pregnant buffaloes from being killed in slaughter houses. Tel 579-8525, 579-4110 or 251-4280. Fax 579-4351.

HORNBILLS: If you come upon any hornbills in captivity or in the wild, please notify the Hornbill Research Foundation, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Road, Bangkok 10400. Tel 246-1358, 246-0063 ext 4606 or 4611.

SAVE BIRD HABITAT: The Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation and Bird Conservation Society of Thailand are campaigning for the revocation of rock blasting concessions that destroy the habitats of endangered bird species. Address: Sueb Nakasathien Foundation, Alumni Association Building, Kasetsart University, 50 Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900. Tel 561-2469-79. Or the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand, 69/12 Rarm Intra 24, Jarakhebua, Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230. Tel 930-1271, 510-5921.

TEMPLE MONKEYS: Wat Hart Moon Kra Buea has long been a source of food for some 120 monkeys living in the forest adjoining the temple. Due to declining donation, these temple monkeys ransack nearby farms for food, earning the ire of farmers. Address: Phra Khru Pichetdharmakhun, abbot of Wat Hart Moon Kra Buea, Tambon Yan Yao, Muang District, Phichit.

ENVIRONMENT 

NATURE SCHOOL: Dek Rak Pah is an alternative school which gives poor rural children the chance to develop artistic creativity through love and keen observation of nature. Address: The Dek Rak Pah Group, P.O. Box 123, Muang district, Surin. Tel (044)513-589.

TREE ORDINATION: The Northern Farmers' Network aims to protect 100 community forests covering one million rai in the northern provinces from illegal loggers through tree-ordination ceremonies. The grassroots green movement is in need of support. Address: Northern Farmers' Network, 36/1 Tanin Road, Chang Puek, Muang district, Chiang Mai 50300. Or call Chatchawal Thongdeelert on (053) 212-417, (053) 409-387; or contact Ruangdej Jommuang at 85 Moo 13, Nai Wiang, Muang district, Nan (054) 751-831.

PAPER RECYCLING: Use paper wisely. The Recycle Paper for Trees Programme now offers a box in which you can discard used paper. The organisation will collect the box once a month. Paper will be sold for recycling and money donated to a reforestation programme. Address: Recycle Paper for Trees, 19/6 Soi Aree 4 (Nua), Samsen Nai, Phya Thai, Bangkok 10400. Tel/fax 279-6727 or 279-0552.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 

SELF-RELIANCE: No place is better than home. Plan International is supporting rural communities to be self-reliant so that their children do not have to leave home to work. Plan's upcountry office, tel (043) 237-763 and (043) 241-385. Bangkok office, tel 561-2076-7.

WATER FOR FARMERS: Water is life. The Development Cooperation Foundation plans to dig 1,000 ponds to provide irrigation water for rural farmers in drought-stricken areas free of charge. To donate, call 619-0788 or fax to 619-0789.