Education & Health for 2,500 in Bangkok Slum

Concordia Day Care and Community Center Annual Report 2024

Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation - Thailand (CWEFT) believes that access to educational opportunities provides hope for a better future for poor and at-risk children, women, and families.

The Concordia Day Care and Community Center (CDCC) was established to support disadvantaged children in Thailand who are at risk due to extreme poverty, as well as children who have been displaced by conflict in the region. They are the most vulnerable group in society, aged two to 15, and live in slums under the Bang Na Expressway and adjoining villages in Bangkok and Samut Prakan provinces.

CWEFT and the CDCC would like to thank all supporters who have kindly collaborated with us this past year to support children, women, and families in need through our various programs. A summary of the individual students and family members impacted by CDCC programming this past year is below.

For the 2023-2024 year, the CDCC supported a total of 49 children, 14 of whom were able to enter the school system. Additionally, the CDCC provided assistance to 225 family members through a variety of outreach and support programs

Saturday Class Program: Over the last year, 53 children received extra training on Saturdays, 34 attended art therapy workshops, and 456 parents participated in Saturday programs.

School Break Program: This year, there were a total of 17 children and 73 family members who participated in the CDCC school break programming.

Elderly Outreach: In the last year, the CDCC team helped to support four slum communities: Bang Na Expressway, Rungrueang community near Udom Suk Market, Poon Sin Community, and Yam Suam community near Mahasin Market. The total number of community residents who received support in all four communities is 3,890 people.

Scholarship Program: To best support families, CWEFT has continued to provide scholarships to children and families in need. These scholarships provide the required uniforms, including school, sports, and scout uniforms, along with other supplies necessities. This year, 58 children received scholarships of 1,000-2,000 Thai baht (US$30-60) depending on their grade level and need.

Volunteer and Service-Learning Programs: 

The CDCC prioritizes collaboration with interested individuals and external agencies, particularly Thai and international students, to organize educational activities and provide community services, allowing them to learn about social issues and the conditions of children in slum communities. This year, we hosted several students and volunteer teams.

Students from Panyotai Waldorf School spend time at the CDCC to intern during their school break; students from KPIS International School helped to paint a wall as a learning resource and organized an English camp for children in Saturday classes. The CDCC also welcomed students from the American School of Bangkok to conduct fun events, explore the neighborhood, and share their English knowledge. Additionally, students from NIST International School organized a fundraising activity to purchase education supplies for children at the CDCC. A team from the International Church of Bangkok organized an activity to provide knowledge about Easter, along with several individuals and groups from churches in the United States who visited this past year and provided educational training for children, parents, and families, and visited the elderly in the community to show the Love of Jesus with all people.

Thank you note from children to supporters

Grade 6 student note:  Thank you for helping me to study at the CDCC. I have made friends and received a scholarship so I can buy school uniforms and supplies.  On the day of the parents' meeting at school, I received my school grade results, and I received top marks in every subject. I am very happy. I would like to thank everyone for your sponsoring me and allowing me to improve my studies and get the help I need. May God bless you with good health and prosperity.

Grade 7 student note: I am currently enrolled in seventh grade. Now I attend Sai Nam Phueng School. I went to study there, and it is a lot of fun. Even though the CDCC is a bit far from my home, I enjoy going there to study. They help me with tutoring, reviewing my school lessons, and helping me to pass the entrance exam at my school. Thank you for your support so I can continue to study at a higher level.

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