Year 2 CAT

Children of the Forest were established in 2005 and are a Registered non-profit Foundation based in Sangkhlaburi, an area close to the Thai – Myanmar border. They are nestled amongst a community of approximately 150,000 stateless refugees who have escaped from years of oppression in Myanmar. Significant numbers in the community were born in Thailand but being denied Thai citizenship means their access to education, legal support and healthcare is denied. This makes the community highly vulnerable to all forms of exploitation, and children are an especially vulnerable group.

Children of the Forest supports families (particularly children and mothers) to break the repeating cycle of poverty. Their Free School offers kindergarten and elementary school programmes for up to 250 children – resourcing them with educational supplies and a daily breakfast and lunch each day. Their preparatory education programmes, enable children to eventually transition into the Thai education system. Additionally, Children of the Forest provide a child protection centre for abandoned, abused or orphaned children. They also provide a mother’s refuge and healthcare clinic providing free healthcare treatment for families, and where necessary, cover any necessary hospital or medical fees.