BASF BUILDS CENTRE TO HELP KARENS

       BASF, a global chemical company, will provide Bt3.7 million to the Karen Kids Society to construct a youth centre for young adults in Ban Pa Deng, Petchaburi province.
       The contribution, provided via the BASF Social Foundation, is aimed at improving the standard of living of local residents.
       The Karen Kids Youth Centre will provide educational opportunities for young adults from the ethnic minority along with Thai residents, focusing on income generating activities such as handicraft skills.
       The centre will also provide separate living and sanitation facilities. The construction of the 390-square-metre centre began last month and should be completed by the middle of next year.
       Karen Kids Society president and founder Juergen Strafe said: "When we first discovered the children, they were living in a rat- and insect-infested hovel with a leaking roof.
       "The dirt and smell were unimaginable. Today, they enjoy clean, healthy accommodation, with proper sanitation, freshly laundered bedding and a hygienic kitchen.
       "The next step is to build a youth centre where older kids can learn a trade. Within a few years, they will be able to leave the camp and make a life for themselves using these new skills."
       To Pracha Chivaporntip, chairman and managing director of the BASF Group in Thailand, the project in Ban Pa Deng is one of many the company has sponsored over the years as part of its sustainable development efforts.
       With its existing education centre, Karen Kids provides shelter, education, clothing and food to more than 80 children aged 10 months to 14 years now living as displaced persons.
       With a three-pronged plan focusing on education, health and self-reliance, the centre provides a place to meet, play, and study.
       It also provides "child safe" Internet access. Each Saturday, the camp offers Thai-and English-language classes for children and adults.
       A vaccination schedule is maintained, and children will be taught ways to improve their immune system.
       A weaving programme, vegetable garden and a fishpond.
       The first phase of the construction, together with a sleeping area for volunteers and camp managers, was completed last year.
       Its second phase, with a two storey centre, will include training facilities for sewing, weaving and carpentry.

Knitting for the needy

       BNH Hospital is organising the "Let's Knit for the Needy" charity project, which invites people to knit small squares that will be sewn together to make warm patchwork blankets for children living in remote mountain villages and studying at Umphangwitthayakom School in Tak province.
       Knitted squares should be 15cm-by -15cm in any colour, any style and can be dropped off at BHN Hospital reception or posted to BHN Hospital, 9/1 Convent Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, before October 31.
       The blankets will be given to Umphangwitthayakom School in November.
       As part of this charity project, Pinn Shop will hold free knitting workshops."Let's Knit" starter kits (with two balls of wool and a pair of needles) are also on sale at all Pinn shops, as well as at the hospital.
       For more information, call 02-686-2700 ext 3377 or email bnhcrcentre@bnh.co.th.

Factories urged to adopt CSR in communities

       The Department of Industrial Works has urged industrial factories in its umbrella to adopt its standard of the Corporate Social Responsibility, Department of Industrial Works (CSR-DIW) to enable them to live in harmony with the surrounding communities.
       "We want to see a greater number of factories adopting the standard and we'll send our experts to give them advice on how to adopt it," he added. CSR-DIW focuses on many areas of social responsibility, including law compliance, international standard compliance, promoting participation of stakeholders, accountability, transparency, sustainable development, ethical practice, human-rights protection, and observing diversity.
       The Thai Namthip bottling plant at Rangsit is one of the factories in the process of promoting CSR-DIW.
       Veera Akaraputhiporn, vice president for corporate affairs of Thai Namthip, said the company's plant in Pathum Thani has already complied with the CSR-DIW.
       It is proceeding to have the other plants, including that in Rangsit, to comply with the standard, to be followed by each of those in Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Hua Mark in Bangkok.

Lacoste for Ramathibodi

       Buy an "I Love Lacoste limited edition"T-shirt and you will be doing your part for charity.Lacoste, a product distributed by ICC International Pcl, has been involved in charity projects since its first event in 2003, when it auctioned off Lacoste polo shirts decorated by guest artists.
       This was followed by the hugely popular Lacoste Polo Limited Edition with silver crocodile, polo shirts on the occasion of the 70th anniversary with the replica of the first Lacoste crocodile, and colourful Lacoste ponchos from France. Sales generated from all three campaigns contributed to the Cardiac Children's Foundation Under the Royal Patronage of HRH the late Princess Galyani Vadhana.
       There was an auction of Lacoste shoes for the Wheelchair Tennis Club of Thailand. Moreover, Lacoste gave a donation to the Ramathibodi Foundation for bone-marrow collecting equipment.
       This year, the Ramathibodi Foundation is constructing the new Somdech Phra Debaratana Building to support the increasing number of patients coming to Ramathibodi Hospital.
       The newly designed T-shirt "I Love Lacoste Limited Edition", and the Lacoste "Vintage" collection with a special dyeing process to make the colour of the crocodile logo the same as the shirt itself,come in several colours to choose from.
       Sales generated from these two limited editions will be donated to the Ramathibodi Foundation to help construction of the new building project.

SIU-THAICOM Foundation donate Bt50 million

       SIU-THAICOM Foundation donate Bt50 million in scholarships to develop "creative professionals"
       Shinawatra University together with the Thaicom Foundation recently opened applications for 50 scholarships, each worth Bt1 million, for Thai students to further their education at Shinawatra University. The scholarships are part of Shinawatra University's "Creating Professionals" program and will cover all the costs of the recipient throughout the duration of a 4-year house of study.
       The announcement was made at a press conference held recently at Shinawatra University's Bangkok facility, in Shinawatra Tower III.
       Prof. Dr.Somchart Soponronnarit, President of Shinawatra University, said that Shinawatra University together with the Thaicom Foundation is offering 50 scholarships worth a total of Bt50 million to mark the 10th anniversary of the university this year. He said that for the 10th anniversary, the university wants to support the education of young Thais who demonstrate talent and potential but lack opportunity.
       Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Secretary of THAICOM Foundation, added that the THAICOM Foundation has supported the development of education in Thailand for 16 years. The foundation aims to create opportunities for underprivileged young people, particularly those from upcountry provinces. The foundation supports education through scholarships, youth development schemes such as "You can do it" and "This is my future", and also sports and music programs that encourage students to use their free time in a beneficial way.
       Shinawatra University currently offers undergraduate and graduate international programs in Liberal Arts and Languages, Management and Technology.The multidisciplinary and professional programs are conducted in English with small class sizes, facilitating greater interaction between students and teachers. The university also strongly emphasizes research as a basis for creating new knowledge. More than 30 percent of the university's faculty members are non-Thai.
       The main campus of Shinawatra University is located in Pathum Thani province, with high-tech teaching facilities, indoor and outdoor sports amenities, a modern library and comprehensive student facilities.
       Applications for the scholarships are open from now until September 18 for Thai students of grade M6 equivalent. Application forms and further information can be found on the university's website www.siu.ac.th

STARS BUILD HOMES FOR THE POOR

       Under an intense midday sun last Friday, former Miss Thailand Cindy Bishop and her husband, Byron, pitched in laying bricks and shovelling sand to build a modest homes for a poor family in the distant rice fields.
       Five months into her pregnancy, Cindy said she was enjoying her stint as one of Habitat's "ambassadors" for this year, along with Byron and other celebrities, such as Paradon Srichaphan and his wife, Natalie - a former Miss Universe - and media executive Charlotte Donovanik.
       "When a poor family starts to own their home, everything changes for the better,'s said Panida Panyangarm, head of Habitat for Humanity Thailand.
       The event in Pathum Thani province was sponsored by Ananda Development CEO Chanond Ruangkritya, who has pledged to build 12 homes under a Habitat programme.
       Chanond, who was also hard at work at the site. said the effort was worthy, because it was a good way for his company to assist less-fortunate communities.
       "By providing them a home at a low cost, the families realise property ownership is the first key step to saving for the future and building that vital capital base," said Chanond, who started supporting Habitat last year.
       "The donations will be recycled," said Panida. "When one family finishes paying for their home loan over seven years or so, the money will go to building another home for another needy family."
       Chanond said Cindy and Byron made great envoys for spreading the message for more members of the public to help less fortunate folk.
       Home-ownership is increasingly recognised, even in communist countries, as one of the key bases from which people can build on to escape poverty and despair, he said.
       "When a poor family with absolutely nothing begins to become responsible for private property, they become more responsible, work harder and contribute more to society," he said.
       "With that footing, their children can really aspire and work towards to a much better future. We're giving them a chance to escape poverty."
       HFH Thailand has in the 11 years since its formation, built more than 4,000 homes for the poor, says Panida.
       A standard house has 36 square metres of built-up space, offering two bedrooms and a common area.
       "The personalities were chosen because youths today need leaders to inspire them to do good."
       HFH Thailand is part of the global movement started by Millard Fuller in 1976 and backed by statesmen like former US president Jimmy Carter.
       Carter, who was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, will come to Thailand later this year to build homes in impoverished areas.

PUBLIC CAN DO MORE TO PROMOTE CSR PROJECTS

       Corporate social responsibility is largely driven by companies but all sectors of society should take part to ensure more contributions are made, said speakers at a Nation conference.
       Former deputy education minister Varakorn Samakoses said some universities in Malaysia had invested in a campus to improve character.
       This move can be copied by learning centres such as Chulalongkorn and Thammasat and other Asean universities.
       "As we are moving towards an Asean Community, an 'Asean University concept' can ensure progress is made in this area," he said.
       Arthur Capilo, head of operations and financial services at Booz & Co, said hotels could offer schemes to draw donation from guests or organise community projects.
       Speaking on the topic "Profitability and Social Responsibility", he addressed a study to evaluate carbon emissions that his staffers had created when they travel.
       "Companies should help others first and profits will follow," he said. "It's our duty to leave this world a better place."
       Varakorn admitted companies were driven by profit but said profit could be maximised if they gave back to society.
       He said everyone should take part. State enterprises, individuals, foundations and cooperatives can join in.
       "Companies compete for profits in a free economy, but they must also think of sustainability. Everyone knows we depend on each other," he said.
       For Capillo, a successful social project needs the combined efforts of all stakeholders including government and the provate sector.
       He is optimistic that if companies are giving more, the regulatory environment can do more to support them.
       Moderator Willie Tham, chief executive of HSBC in Thailand, said some banks had stopped lending to companies that cut timber.
       He said it was too ambitious to have banks stop lending to non-sustainable projects, as financial assistance was in great demand in emerging markets. What banks can do is ensure borrowers use the money responsibly, he said.