Presidents Letter 2008
This past year was a year of great accomplishments at the Sriphong Phukaoluan Foundation. The Foundation Community Center was opened which includes our library with hundreds of books and magazines for both children and adults. We also furnished our medical clinic, and have been providing free medical exams on a weekly basis. Our computer learning center now is operational, with computers donated from local businesses. However, we face new challenges.
Over the course of the past year we have heard from many of the families that they are struggling financially. While most of the children are in school and their family lives stabilized, many of the families responsible for their care are having economic difficulties. Many of these hard working people can not cope with sky rocketing price increases in rice and other food staples, and with unstable employment opportunities.
In response to their needs, Foundation Director Mr. Robert Reynolds spearheaded the establishment of the Foundation Community Bank. This bank is run on the same concept as the Nobel Prize winning Grameen Bank started by Mr. Mohammed Unnis. The bank makes micro loans to the families to start or expand their business, and the loans are guaranteed by other Foundation families. Mr. Reynolds raised the necessary funds to start the bank, which has been set up as a separate entity of the Foundation, with its own Executive Board and bank account, Currently, the Foundation has funded 12 new businesses, with numerous applications pending. Before approval, all applicants are required to take preparatory training courses in business management and technical skills. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for our families to improve their knowledge, skills and become more self sufficient.
The Foundation continues to expand its presence throughout the community and this year took part in several projects in environmental protection, social welfare and the protection of children with other organizations and government ministries. We are proud to have sponsored the “Clean Krabi Province” project this fall. Ten villages were selected out of many hundreds who competed to have the cleanest and best kept village. The Phukaoluan Family generously donated 1 million baht to fund this program which was administered by the Foundation. Each of the top ten villages received an award of 100,000 baht, which was presented at a ceremony honoring His Majesty the King on his birthday on December 5, 2008.
We have been fortunate to have the widespread support of the local community, including local businesses, Krabi municipal and provincial authorities and private organizations, such as Projects Abroad. Our overseas donors continue to be generous, even in difficult times, enabling our staff and directors to institute these effective programs. In recognition of everyone’s hard work, the Foundation was awarded the Number 1 Foundation for the Tsunami Affected Region for the 2nd consecutive year.
While the year 2009 looks to be challenging in face of the world economic difficulties, we will strive to become even more efficient so our donations can have a more lasting affect. We want to thank all of those who have helped us this past year, and invite you all to come see the Foundation children and the benefits they have received. We wish you all a healthy new year for 2009.
With best regards
Chuan Phukaoluan
President
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