Overview
Baan Unrak (House of Joy) is a non-government, non-religious, non-political community development project founded in 1990 to serve people in need in Sangklaburi, Thailand. Our primary mission is to provide housing, food, education, emotional support, and opportunities to vulnerable children on the Thai-Myanmar border. Our children’s home is integrated with a variety of supporting projects, aimed to benefit the whole community.
Neo-Humanism is the guiding principle of Baan Unrak. It is an ecological and holistic philosophy – a spirit of love and kindness.
Children’s Village
The Children’s Village provides food, housing, emotional support, and educational opportunities to over 130 children. Baan Unrak Children’s Home, established in 1991 in Thailand by the Neohumanist Foundation, has given children and mothers a home and hope for a better future. Baan Unrak provides a home and education to children and gainful employment to single mothers.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL
In 2005, a fully accredited primary school was created and in 2013 the school was expanded to include a fully accredited secondary school. Our education is based on Neohumanist principles integrated with the required Thai academic education. We educate students from ages three through 15 from kindergarten to Junior high school. Along with academics, we provide emotional care, self-knowledge, and coping skills to live in a society as happy, service-minded contributors. Today, the school educates over 250 children from our children’s home and the community.
Many were born in Thailand to Burmese parents who left Myanmar due to conflict and poverty. Consequently, they are not citizens of either country and therefore their future is quite uncertain.
LOCAL RELIEF PROGRAMS
Baan Unrak organizes regular relief programs in the surrounding villages and refugee camps; distributing food and clothing, medical assistance, counseling, and legal advice to the neediest people along the Thai-Myanmar border. Baan Unrak teenagers manage most of the relief programs.
WEAVING AND SEWING PROJECT
Baan Unrak helps mothers earn income to support their children through stable employment. A sewing and weaving center was set up in 1995 with the support of the British and the New Zealand Embassies to provide vocational training and employment for abandoned mothers. The center produces scarves, textiles, and ready-to-wear clothing for the local and international markets.
