AWC Community Projects Committee

Community social welfare support has been at the heart of AWC for decades. A committee of dedicated volunteers reviews and recommends donations by AWC to Thai charities all over the country. AWC's primary targets are needy women and children, and we are committed to supporting social welfare projects in Thailand as follows:

• Community self-help, income-generating projects: Funds, supplies, or equipment for projects benefiting a community or group.
• Medical: Funds or supplies for hospitals, clinics, schools or orphanages.
• Nutritional: Funds or supplies for nutritional programs.
• Education: Funds for books, supplies, scholarships, playground equipment, or teacher’s salaries.

Every time we visit any of the charities supported by AWC, we are impressed by the efficiency and kindness with which the leaders do their duty to the community. If you or an organization you know of needs assistance, please download the AWC Community Projects Guidelines and Project Proposal form here and submit it for consideration.

Charitable donations in 2009 included

• Bangkok Refugee Center (50,000 baht) ~ Milk for pregnant and nursing women
• Bright Start Foundation, a shelter/orphanage in Mae Hong Son that houses 44 children between the ages of 6 and 15 years old (42,999 baht) ~ Rice, batteries and milk for refugee children
• Camillian Home for Children Living with Disabilities (50,000 baht) ~ Purchase ENSURE, a complete nutritional supplement, for children with HIV that are too weak or unable to eat
• Foundation to Encourage the Potential of Disabled People, in Chiang Mai, a private disable-managed Thai Foundation providing wheelchairs and training to disabled persons in remote areas who learn to manage their own affairs (53,000 baht) ~ Custom-made wheelchairs, training and other assistance
• Good Shepherd Sisters / Fatima Center, in Bangkok, cares for 45 to 50 young girls ages 10 to 18 years with physical and mental difficulties. Good Shepherd provides a day care center as well as residential school where girls receive medical attention and professional counseling (142,999 baht) ~ Food, milk and other necessities for children and women
• Mercy House, in Bangkok (30,000 baht) ~ Shoes and uniforms for children in kindergarten and elementary school
• Rahab Ministries, in Bangkok, coordinates a program to help educate pregnant women and their children (20,000 baht) ~ Food and care for children and pregnant women in the Patpong area
• School for Life, in Chiang Mai, houses a total of 200 persons including children and teachers (24,999 baht) ~ One year of rice
• St. Joseph's Home, in Beton Yala, cares for the aged sick and invalid as well as abandoned children (29,400 baht) ~ To purchase six mattress and beds for the invalids

Special Events

Annual Toy Drive for the children of Klong Toey Community Center ~ Every year AWC members get into the spirit of the season by donating toys and taking them to the children during "Santa's Visit".

Ice Cream Parties for Primary School Children are a time when members can share some cool treats

We invite you to join us!

In the words of Don Wilcox, from the Foundation to Encourage the Potential of Disabled People, "Without women like you, people like me would be no more than gentle voices drowned out in the wind storm. Thank you for being a part of our continuing work."

Fun in the spirit of giving!!

There are several fundraiding events and activities held throughout the year that benefit Community Projects recipients. Our donations depend on member participation at AWC events (raffle tickets at luncheons, fundraisers such as Spring Olympics, etc) to help us help as many women and children as possible during these hard economic times.

Wine Tasting	Progressive Dinners	Progressive Dinners
Spring Olympics	Spring Olympics	Spring Olympics

MONK'S BOWL, Coins for Change

You do not need to make a great sacrifice to change a life. Each time you are at an AWC event, you walk by a Monk's Bowl. You may not have realized what it was. By placing small coins into this bowl, you are helping improve the lives of people throughout Thailand.

AWC "Coins for Change" drive is simple: take those excess coins from your pocket or purse and place them in the bowl. The committee empties the bowl after each event and once a week in the office. By the end of the year, these coins add up to make a difference in someone's life, SO PLEASE GIVE, and HELP CHANGE A LIFE.

The range of volunteer opportunities available is extremely varied; visiting and caring for children living in institutions such as homes and orphanages, helping distribute milk powder in the slums, working in an AIDS hospice or teaching English to children or adults from underprivileged backgrounds. Whether you have experience working in welfare of simply a desire to help, your time and effort, no matter how large or small, will be appreciated and welcomed. If you are not in a position to volunteer your time, you can still support Thailand’s welfare organizations through donations to organizations in Bangkok that raise money for charity (e.g. American Womens Club of Thailand). Another source of information is the We Care series in the Outlook section of the Bangkok Post each fortnight. www.bangkokpost.net

Below is a list of some of the groups in Bangkok that need volunteer assistance. It's best to call before going to make sure help is still required and what hours are best for the facility:

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