Stories from Pillar1

Story of J.

"After I shared my problem with BDF’s case managers, they helped me a lot by providing counseling and encouraging me to improve my
self-esteem. I am extremely grateful to BDF for helping me and my children during a very difficult time for us."

- J.

In the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai, J., a 34-year-old Tai Yai woman, faced formidable challenges. The pandemic cost her and her husband their jobs, leading to his worsening alcohol addiction and violent behavior. Seeking refuge with her sister, BDF stepped in to provide vital support, securing shelter, food, clothes, and emotional counseling.

J.’s children, who had stopped attending school, were re-enrolled by BDF, with school fees and uniforms covered for a year. J.’s traumatic experience left her deeply scarred and eroded her confidence. She joined BDF’s Women Empowerment Project, acquiring sewing skills and earning income through BDF’s spin-off social enterprise, Dao Ethical Gifts (DEG).

Today, J. works at a local noodle shop, empowered and confident in providing for her family. Her husband, with BDF’s help, overcame his alcohol addiction and gained insight into women’s rights and domestic violence issues. J. herself has become well-informed about these rights and reporting mechanisms.

Story of C.

"Ever since C. enrolled in Tchin Tcho Nursery, we no longer have to worry about her education and child care. BDF’s support has reduced our financial burden and helped improve our lives. Thank you very much Baan Dek."

- C.’s grandmother

Four-year-old C. lives with her single mother, grandparents, cousin, and two-year-old sister. Her mother became a parent at the tender age of 19 and entrusted C. to her grandparents. While her mother works at the local mall, the financial burden rests on C.’s father, who works tirelessly at a construction site. To care for both C. and her sister, C.’s grandmother left her own job, further straining their household income.

BDF's journey with C. began when staff noticed her in a construction camp. They identified the challenges in her upbringing, including emotional abuse from her mother. This critical early childhood development phase lays the foundation for a child’s future. Recognizing the immediate risk to her early development milestones, C. was enrolled in BDF's Tchin Tcho Critical Care Nursery. In just five months, her development flourished. She excelled in cognitive skills, physical coordination, and displaying artistic talent. Her social interactions improved, though she still needed emotional support. Simultaneously, BDF provided counseling and parenting sessions to C.’s mother to improve their relationship.

Encouraged by this progress, the BDF team aims to enroll C. in a public school, nurturing her potential for a brighter future.

Stories from Pillar2

Story of B. and D.

"I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the company for helping me relocate and work in Chiang Mai. Since my child could not attend school in Bangkok, she would have been in the same situation as us. Now, we are very happy to see our child in school."

- B.’s father

At just nine years old, B. left Myanmar with her parents and five-year-old sister, seeking the promise of a brighter future in the northern Thai town of Mae Sai. However, economic hardships clouded their path, and they soon relocated to the outskirts of bustling Bangkok, where B.’s parents got a job at a construction company.

While their financial situation improved, a heavy cloud hung over B. and her sister. The absence of Thai legal documents prevented them from attending public school. Recognizing this setback, the camp manager at the construction site proposed relocating to Chiang Mai, a city known for accepting migrant children in the public school system.

Upon their arrival in Chiang Mai, the family met D., a fellow camp resident and Peer Educator trained by BDF. Through BDF's Peer Empowerment Program (PEP), D. honed her leadership skills and gained knowledge on accessing public services. The family was grateful for D.’s help. She navigated them through the maze of school enrollment, collected the required documents, and worked tirelessly to find a school that would accept the two girls. Despite one school rejecting their Burmese birth certificates, D.’s unwavering resolve eventually led them to another school that accepted a translated version, opening the doors of education for B. and her sister.

Story from Pillar 3

Story of U.

"The company is very supportive of my daughter’s education. They allowed me to stay longer in this camp even though I've finished my work here so that L. can transfer school credits to her new school when we move to a new camp."

- U.

"We can understand children much better. The BSI tools can help us to focus on the risks that we should manage. This helps reduce risks in the camps."

- Company representative

U., a 47-year-old mother from Myanmar, has spent the last decade in Thailand with her seven-year-old daughter, L., who attends primary school in Bangkok. U. works as a caretaker at a construction camp, where the construction company joined the Building Social Impact (BSI) Initiative in 2022.

Since joining the BSI Initiative, their camps have made significant improvements. These improvements include gender-segregated facilities, the establishment of a community safe space, and the maintenance of cleaner living conditions, all carefully monitored through the BSI’s Self-Assessment Tool. U. and L. have benefited personally, with support from the company in enrolling L. in public school and providing school supplies, 1,200 Thai baht per child for uniforms, and transportation.

The company’s commitment extends to staff training in child safeguarding and addressing domestic violence, ensuring a swift response. Their commitment to infrastructure, housing, and education benefits workers and their children, aligning with the BSI Framework. This unwavering dedication ensures a brighter future for workers and their children, like L.’s aspiration to become a teacher.

Impact Stories