BAAN DOI – Home and Healing Center for Children
Our Vision –
a better quality of life
for orphans and
families in need
BAAN DOI — Home and Healing Center for Children
is a non-governmental organization in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, the northernmost city of Thailand near the Golden Triangle on the border with Myanmar.
Our main target is
to support orphans and disadvantaged children and their families in Chiang Rai province so that they have the prospect of a healthy development and a good education for a positive future.
In order to reach this, BAAN DOI is working on various programs:
Home
The BAAN DOI Home provides a safe home and a loving family with full-time care for orphans and children at risk.
Outreach Child Support Program
The BAAN DOI Outreach Child Support Program enables orphans who come from very poor backgrounds to stay with their relatives and at the same time being well cared for. Through BAAN DOI’s support they get access to education and health care as well as the organization of legal documents. The families receive funds for trainings and income generating activities, which empowers them to take steps for a better future.
organic farm
The organic farm serves as a food supplier for the BAAN DOI home and produces Jasmine rice, vegetables, fish, eggs and fruits. For the children and youth the farm holds great opportunities for free time activities and life skill trainings.
why
we are here
How a vision became reality
initial situation
Here in this area in northern Thailand there are many ethnic minorities, migrants and refugees from the neighbouring countries Myanmar and Laos. Access to health services and education, as well as the right to work and own land are often restricted or don’t even exist. This results is a picture of desolation, and a life lived under miserable conditions without an opportunity to break free from poverty.
A compelling idea
In 2007 Barbara Meisl from Austria, and Graziella Ramponi Najai from Switzerland came to Thailand for the first time. There they met a 6-year-old orphaned boy, who was ill, had no family, and was without social institutions or a home to care for him.
Implementation
That is how the idea of BAAN DOI was born. It was implemented in 2009, when Barbara bought a piece of land and started to build the first houses with her private capital and the help of family and friends.
From the beginning, Barbara and Graziella had the support of their Thai teacher, Saowaluk Junvong, who helped founding a board and registered BAAN DOI as a Thai Foundation.
Recognition
BAAN DOI has been registered as a Thai foundation since 2001 (registration number CR 2554/135) and since 2016 additionally as a foster home (registration number 2/2559).
Our Children say:
“I dream of becoming a chef with my own restaurant.”
“BAAN DOI enables me to get a good school education. I will give my very best.”
“BAAN DOI is my new big family where everybody is very caring.”
How You Can help
news and events
BAAN DOI Newsletter See our latest Newsletter
The Initiators of BAAN DOI
Barbara Meisl
Founder and Director of BAAN DOI
Saowaluk Junwong
Co-founder, Assistant Director and Child Protection Officer
Graziella Ramponi Najai
Chairwoman BAAN DOI Switzerland