THE BANGKOK POST NEWSPAPER FOUNDATION (BPNF)

Established in 1982, the BPNF during the year 2000 has continued in its mission to:

• promote education and the educational activities of needy school children
  
• promote education and research work for the press
  
• cooperate with other charities in the interest of the public
  
  

The BPNF has been actively allocating financial assistance to children who are poor and who have a strong desire to study. Potential candidates do not necessarily have to be very strong academically. During the year 2000, the BPNF has helped 90 students in 16 different provinces, and plans to help as many as 150 in 2001.

Also in 2000, the Foundation donated text books, notebooks, school uniforms and stationery to poor students, in addition to providing villagers in four districts of Uttaradit province with used clothing and other necessities.

Donors can be assured that every baht of their donations goes to needy children and not to administration costs, which are covered by the company. The Foundation is currently undergoing the process of changing its name to the Bangkok Post Foundation.

In the past, the BPNF also helped rebuild the Ban Sapli School, after it was reduced to rubble in a typhoon in November 1988. The Foundation also provided the school with school uniforms and used computers.

PHUD HONG LEPER FOUNDATION

Leprosy still exists in Thailand even though the number of those suffering from this disease has decreased considerably over the years. The leper colony, where the Phud Hong Leper Foundation now works, was established in 1956 and has played a key role in caring for lepers and their dependents in the South. When the Bangkok Post became involved in the colony back in 1974, at a time when government funding and support was cut, there were more than 250 lepers along with their dependents. Through its articles in the newspaper, readers responded to help establish the Phud Hong Leper Fund, which eventually led to the establishment of the Foundation in 1982, of which Queen Rambhai Barni was patron. Apart from hospital wards for male and female patients, the Foundation also established a kindergarten for the children of lepers. Vocational training is provided to allow patients and their children to obtain the skills needed to help them through life, so that they are not a burden to society.

Over the years, a number of projects were initiated. An all-purpose building was built for various activities. A reservoir, with a wind-powered water pump, was constructed to ensure a year-round clean water supply for all areas of the colony with support from the United Kingdom Committee for Thai Charities. A fishery project was also built at the reservoir to ensure a food supply. A fertiliser project was also begun to help patients and their families obtain fertiliser at economic prices. Hygienic toilets were also built in all the houses. The Foundation hopes that such efforts will be of benefit to the lepers and their families who live in the colony.