Baht for a Better Life
Your small change could make a big change to someone's life...
The Baht for a Better Life Project was started by ONYX Hospitality Group in 1995. Small change contributed by guests to our hotels and donations from our staff is used to further the education of children in local communities.
Baht for a Better Life has expanded beyond Thailand as our presence and reach grows across the Asia-Pacific region.
At present, we support three key initiatives:
School Scholarships
Through the Duangprateep Foundation, 12 scholarships are offered each year to children living in Klongtoey, a poor area of Bangkok, who are especially hardworking and determined to continue their studies despite the odds against them. The programme also offers on-the-job-training and employment opportunities.
In addition, some of our guests have decided to give larger donations. US$ 250 will pay for a child's school fees and necessities such as books, uniform and lunch for one year. Many of these children have ambitions to become teachers or nurses, so that they can put the skills, which they have been lucky enough to learn, back into the benefit of their community.
Amari School Projects
To rebuild and provide classroom furniture and tools to Border Police Schools in rural parts of Thailand. To-date, we have helped funding and completed 11 schools in all regions.
Funds from Baht for a Better Life have also been used to rebuild a dilapidated school in Na Chompoo, Udon Thani and build ten new schools in Doi Angkhang near Chiang Mai, Chumporn in the South of Thailand, Benjama in Chiang Mai, Baan Changlang in Trang, Baan Na Nok Peed in Loei, Baan Klong Waai in Surat Thani, Chum Chon Paa Yaa Kaa in Ubon Ratchathani, Tak province on the border with Burma and Baan Pong Com in Suphanburi and Wat Sri Muang Am Toddler Care Centre, Khon Khen. As well as building the classroom, donations have been used to buy essentials such as desks, chairs, blackboards, books and pencils.
Baht for a Better Life & Raks Thai Foundation (CARE Thailand)
In 2012, the Foundation has entered a partnership with Raks Thai Foundation for Baht for a Better Life to support Raks Thai's “84 Schools in Celebration of H.M. the King's 84th Birthday” project. This joint project engages under privileged children in rural poor schools, aiming to improve children's leadership, occupational and life skills through children's learning activities beyond the regular curriculum.
Baht for a Better Life supports 84 Schools - Doing Good for H.M. the King Project
Since March 2012, as an initiative of Baht for a Better Life, Amari properties have entered a partnership with Raks Thai Foundation (CARE Thailand) for a collaboration on a project named “84 Schools - Doing good for H.M. the King”.
The overall objective of the project is to empower children in rural poor schools to become independent and lifelong learners who process the necessary life skills and occupational skills to solve problems. This is done so by strengthening the school's learning process that is more relevant and practical to the children's life with the project approach; engaging school teachers, local resource persons in the children's learning process; and improve basic necessities to support children's learning and health needs such as clean water, library materials and dormitory. Each school will be supported from 1-3 years. Our Team Members and guests are regularly involved in volunteering activities such as teacher's training, learning activities with the children as well as fund raising.
With a financial commitment of Bht. 100,000.- per school each year, Baht for a Better Life currently supports 5 schools namely :
- Wat Ta Bong School in Ayudhaya
- Bang Kra Jao School in Samutsakorn
- Ban Nok School in Chonburi
- Wat Kiri Wong Karam School, Samui - Suratthani
- Ban Bang Dong in Phang Nga