Project TLSDF
The Life Skills Development Foundation (Rak Dek) was founded in 1998 as part of the Save the Children USA transition strategy when closing down its operational presence in Thailand. The Foundation works in upper Northern Thailand focusing on early childhood care development, education, life skills curricula and children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV.
TLSDF is working to protect and promote Child Rights in rural areas of northern Thailand in accordance with the four basic pillars of Child Rights: the right to non-discrimination, a focus on the best interests of the child, the right to survival and development, and the right to participation by the child. This is done by supporting and capacitating local agencies that are in contact with children strengthening relationships between stakeholders in the targeted communities. By strengthening networks between schools, communities, government organizations, community-based organizations and other NGOs it is possible collaborate to promote and improve the life quality of children and their families, and make interventions more effective. The Foundation is also producing the "Child Friendly School" magazine which is distributed to more than 1,000 schools throughout Thailand. TLSDF was one of the initiators introducing the successful 'Child Friendly School Programs' in Thailand together with Office of National Primary education Commission, Save the Children, and UNICEF.
TLSDF is currently running several projects in Northern Thailand, working with people and communities of several different ethnicities; some communities are located along the Thai-Burmese border. Most of the project sites are situated in areas with very high HIV prevalence rates with serious poverty and other social problems. Approximately 10% of the children in the project sites are affected by HIV.
The projects cover all phases of childhood starting before the child is even born in TLSDF’s pregnancy care project. Newly born children until the age of 6 are cared for through the "early childhood care and development" project. Children in elementary and lower secondary school are reached through several school and community projects. Finally, older children are cared for until the age of 18 in the Youth Action project.
In addition to the projects implemented by TLSDF, the Foundation also supports 'most-at-risk' children with scholarships to ensure their survival and continued education. If families where an income-taker is ill with HIV or has been lost by AIDS, the children are often forced to leave school as a result of economic hardship. By supporting these children financially to cover the costs of school fees, learning materials, school uniforms and food, it is possible for them to continue their education. These 'living fund' scholarships are possible through donations to TLSDF and a total of 211 scholarships have been given to children in the Foundation's project areas.
If you are interest in an intern position with TLSDF, please read the Program Specifics to learn more about this position
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