Education for Development Foundation
The Education for Development Foundation (EDF Thailand) is a Thai International Foundation, established in 1987,[1][2] that helps underprivileged children and encourage self-reliance through its education programs. EDF approved from the Ministry of Finance as a charitable organisation No.255, with the mission to alleviate poverty, develop education programs and facilitate international communication in order to help disadvantaged children gain access to basic education. With the opportunities created by EDF's programs, these children are able to develop their skills and qualify for better jobs, aiding their communities as well as their families.
| Founded | March 27, 1987 |
|---|---|
| Founder |
|
| Type | Educational, Charity, Non-profit |
| 0994000080191 | |
| Registration no. | 255 |
| Focus | Children's Rights, Education, Poverty |
| Location | |
Area served | Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, USA., Japan |
Key people | Sunphet Nilrat (Managing Director) |
| Website | EDF |
Formerly called | The Education for Development Foundation (EDF) |
EDF Thailand is affiliated with The Education for Development Japan or EDF Japan (Formerly known as Japan's MINSAI Center) which administers the Darunee Scholarship Fund, and has done so for 32 years, which cooperates with International organisations in Asia Pacific area such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.[3]
- Up to academic year 2019, EDF Thailand has provided over 380,000 scholarships (Bt658 million / US$22 million) for underprivileged students in over 5,500 schools nationwide.[1]
EDF Thailand has carried out more than 200 development projects in remote areas covering 61 provinces in all region of Thailand.
The specific aim of these projects is to improve learning environment, uplift quality of life, develop necessary life and career skills for less fortunate youths and children in rural school by applying school-based development model. Recently in Fiscal year 2018, there were more than 80,000 project beneficiaries and almost 700 schools actively involved in the projects in different fields, supported by both individual and corporate donors with cooperation from government authorities under Educational Service Area Offices in the 61 provinces of Thailand.
To achieve international support, EDF Thailand also liaises with EDF-Lao, EDF-Cambodia, EDF-Myanmar and EDF-Vietnam to expand education development projects for the children in Lao, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam through scholarship program, school building project, career development project, teacher development program, health care project, and more.
EDF Thailand is operating in 4 main areas:
1. To provide educational scholarship to children and youths who cannot continue their education due to financial difficulties regardless of their academic performances, disabilities, races or religions.
2. To promote and develop children’s self-confidence and life/career skills so they can better support their families and communities.
3. To motivate and encourage harmony and interest to acquire knowledge of utilising the resources for the development of their community.
4. EDF is a non-profit organisation and is not involved in any political issues.
EDF Thailand’s objective is not to end poverty but to initiate solid programs that promote the development of people, make potential changes and encourage self-reliance through its education programs.
-EDF Thailand Major Donors (As of Fiscal Year 2018)-
Thai Health Promotion Foundation
Mubadala Petroleum (Thailand) Ltd.
Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
Shinnyo-en (Thailand) Foundation
Chevron (Thailand) Ltd.
American Women's Club of Thailand (AWC)
Harmless Harvest (Thailand) Ltd.
UBS Securities (Thailand) Ltd.
Taokaenoi Food & Marketing Oublic Co., Ltd.
Ikano (Thailand) Ltd.
Maxso Media Hong Kong Limited
Target Fund at CAF America
Muji Retail (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Google Matching Gift Program
Digigo Co., Ltd.
Bangchak Petroleum PLC.
References
- "Thailand: Scholarships sought for southern insurgency orphans". Thai News Service. 2006-02-23.
- "Terumasa-Akio-saw-poverty-firsthand". Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- "Net philanthropy benefits all". Daily Yomiuri. 2003-06-10.