Our Mission
Many years ago, we were called the Grandma Cares Project and our foremost objective was to help people living with HIV and their families affected by AIDS in the Chiang Mai province of Northern Thailand. In those days, the volunteers worked closely with the Thai Red Cross and several other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to help families learn how to care for those living with HIV. Most of these families were living below poverty level. They required many services and trainings, as well as educational funds to allow their grandchildren to continue to attend school.
By 2003, there was an increased number of grandmothers and children in need. Their need led Hope Watcharaprecha, then Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Thin Thai Ngam President and the director for the newly renamed Grandma Cares Partnership Program (GCPP), to request and receive help from many international Rotary Clubs (RCs). This partnership enlisted other NGOs, as well as sponsors and volunteers from around the world.
At the end of 2008, we were beginning to address the needs of poor single mothers with children, who may or may not be affected by HIV/AIDS. This shift in our mission came when officials at the rural municipalities requested our help. These mothers and children have nowhere else to go for help and so we began to help them along with our other families.
With the continued help of Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Thin Thai Ngam, our little grassroots organization has since expanded beyond this goal by bringing educational and humanitarian programs to the greater Chiang Mai community. We strive to educate children and adults in a way which will contribute positively to the Thai society. Our programs still involve home and school visits but now we have weekend educational fun field trips, a swimming program, Saturday tutoring, literacy programs, English camps, and holiday events.
Currently, majority of the children orphaned from AIDS are being raised by their grandparents or other caregivers. The money to help these families comes from individual sponsorships as well as various NGOs from around the world and locally. Several of our larger donations have allowed us to create such ongoing projects such as the Adopt One Rural School. This is where Rotary Club (RC) members and other volunteers donate their time, energy, and money to repair playgrounds, cafeterias, and classroom equipment, or plant a garden, paint walls, all the while spending time playing with the school children.
As we gather new partners to help our children and families, we aim to grow in the number of participants in our program, expanding the impact we have on Chiang Mai and the surrounding area. We hope to enrich the lives of families, while maintaining good communication with our partners and sponsors. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will allow us to bring hope to our families.
By 2003, there was an increased number of grandmothers and children in need. Their need led Hope Watcharaprecha, then Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Thin Thai Ngam President and the director for the newly renamed Grandma Cares Partnership Program (GCPP), to request and receive help from many international Rotary Clubs (RCs). This partnership enlisted other NGOs, as well as sponsors and volunteers from around the world.
At the end of 2008, we were beginning to address the needs of poor single mothers with children, who may or may not be affected by HIV/AIDS. This shift in our mission came when officials at the rural municipalities requested our help. These mothers and children have nowhere else to go for help and so we began to help them along with our other families.
With the continued help of Rotary Club of Chiang Mai Thin Thai Ngam, our little grassroots organization has since expanded beyond this goal by bringing educational and humanitarian programs to the greater Chiang Mai community. We strive to educate children and adults in a way which will contribute positively to the Thai society. Our programs still involve home and school visits but now we have weekend educational fun field trips, a swimming program, Saturday tutoring, literacy programs, English camps, and holiday events.
Currently, majority of the children orphaned from AIDS are being raised by their grandparents or other caregivers. The money to help these families comes from individual sponsorships as well as various NGOs from around the world and locally. Several of our larger donations have allowed us to create such ongoing projects such as the Adopt One Rural School. This is where Rotary Club (RC) members and other volunteers donate their time, energy, and money to repair playgrounds, cafeterias, and classroom equipment, or plant a garden, paint walls, all the while spending time playing with the school children.
As we gather new partners to help our children and families, we aim to grow in the number of participants in our program, expanding the impact we have on Chiang Mai and the surrounding area. We hope to enrich the lives of families, while maintaining good communication with our partners and sponsors. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will allow us to bring hope to our families.