The Foundation for Developing and Supporting Children (FDSC)
Project No: P05
Project Managers:
Darika Puntamon, Sally Golding
Contact Info:
Thailand is well known as “The Land Of Smiles.”
Some 69% of Thailand's population lives in rural areas, with around 29.9% desperately poor (by western standards) and earning $100 or less, per month.
A large percentage of rural students drop out after Grade Six—at only 12 years of age—even though the government mandates nine years of free education.
The challenge is largely due to the fact that poorer families prefer their children to stay at home and work on the farms, seeing little need for education.
Project Managers: Darika Puntamon, Sally Golding
The Foundation for Developing and Supporting Children (FDSC), previously known as CMFS, began its work in Chiang Mai in 1997. Its programs focus on educational, social and humanitarian development, and are dedicated to making a difference today, for tomorrow, in the lives of the poor and disadvantaged of Northern Thailand.
FDSC’s primary objective is to provide educational opportunities for all ages, as well as targeted programs to address the emotional and physical needs of rural Thailand’s youth. The aim is to aid and support underprivileged children and teenagers in becoming positive and productive members of society, who are focused, socially well-adjusted and able to build constructive relationships.
The secret to more than a decade of successful programs stems from FDSC’s resounding motto that, “Whoever you are, whatever you believe, believe you can make a difference”. Through forging strong partnerships and collaborative efforts with sponsors, community members and oversees volunteers, FDSC is making a lasting difference.
FDSC is presently involved with the following programs:
- University Scholarships and mentoring program for needy students
- Internships for University students
- Motivate and Engage English Activity Camps
- Eat, Think, Achieve! Orphanage Enrichment
- The Northern Thailand Special Olympics
- Family Emergency Assistance
- Children’s Day Gift Drive & Events
- Family Counseling
University Scholarship ProgramFDSC’s program offers disadvantaged high school, graduate and occasionally postgraduate students partial scholarships to cover their food, transportation and housing costs. Additional services are offered in the form of special social activities, remedial English studies and personal coaching and support.
Mentorship ResidenciesTo help students overcome the challenges associated with their disadvantaged and often orphaned backgrounds, the mentorship provides a gap year to complete advanced English courses and a work placement program focused on building the study habits and professional skills they need to support themselves through university.
Confidence, Initiative and Leadership AwardDue to early influences and trauma, many of the 70+ teenagers who are enrolled in this course every year lack confidence in their abilities and have a low sense of self-worth. The award provides a sustained focus on personal development and identifying values, ambitions and roadblocks, teaching participants how to set goals and breakdown overwhelming challenges into achievable parts.
Motivate and Engage: English Activity CampsWhile city schools attract skilled teachers and wealthier families can afford English tutoring, students in impoverished Hill Tribe communities living in the Golden Triangle are being left behind. Since 2001, FDSC has conducted over 100 English Activity Camps to educate, motivate and engage more than 10,000 high school students.
Eat, Think, Achieve: Orphanage Enrichment ProgramDespite the dedication and hard work of administrators and staff, the majority of Thai orphanages remain under-resourced and poorly equipped to meet the needs of children delivered into their care. In 1997, FDSC established this program to channel funds, gifts, skilled volunteers and nutritious food to orphans who need it.
