The Dragonfly Community Foundation works to strengthen communities in Thailand through a holistic approach of education, environmental stewardship, and support for the disadvantaged. We give people tools and opportunities to make sustainable, long-term improvements to their communities and their own lives.
About Us
The Dragonfly Community Foundation is registered in Thailand as a charitable foundation number N.M.1/2551 under the Ministry of Culture.
Our Mission
The DCF was created to address the needs of the people of Thailand in support of education, environment, and social welfare. Our work supports orphans and poor and rural children, and empowers other disadvantaged groups through knowledge sharing and skill-building.
Our Objectives
To support the education and career training of children and adults who lack opportunities to gain career knowledge and employment opportunities to support their families.
To promote and support volunteering and charitable work.
To developing communities by supporting building, local economic initiatives, and educational activities.
To support personal and community health education initiatives.
To support and promote Thai culture for both Thais and foreigners.
To collaborate with other non-profit organizations for the public good.
To support conservation of wildlife and natural areas in Thailand, as well as environmental study & stewardship.
Who do we support?
We are called the “Dragonfly Community Foundation” because we work for and with communities towards development on a basic, grassroots level. We work with institutions and organisations such as schools, orphanages, education centers, and conservation projects to promote and aid them in their work.
We also work directly with disadvantaged groups who need advocacy and assistance to improve their own lives, including:
Children and youth without adequate family care
Refugees and stateless people, mostly in Thailand’s border areas
Poor and/or landless rural families and children
Minority communities who are marginalized and without adequate government support
Our History
Following the 2004 Asian tsunami, a group of friends travelled to Southern Thailand to help in the aftermath and later started a sponsorship program to support affected children and youth. At the same time, DCF founder Martin Walsh had been working in the rural Northeast region of Thailand and wanted to do something about the obvious demand for English teachers. He started a grassroots volunteering program to connect English speakers from around the world with Thai schools that needed their help. The program, Dragonfly Volunteering Projects, grew and expanded into other areas, bringing local and international volunteers together to support school, orphanages and children’s homes, environmental and wildlife projects.
After years of hard work, the Dragonfly Community Foundation was granted official foundation status in in 2008 and continues to run community-based projects in Thailand.
Contact
English +(66) 0845-887-434
ไทย +(66) 089-921-3264