Starting a Charity in Thailand

[TotallyOz]

I have donated to many charities over the years but I have decided to start one of my own. I am not really sure where the aim will be but I have almost decided to make it a language school for the guys in the gay bars who want to learn English. It would be totally free to them if they were willing to enroll in the weekend school to earn their high school degree. The charity would pay for their tuition each term as well as books and supplies. I do believe that the only way out of the business is through school and an education. I also have friends in USA who can help with scholarships for those that finish and want to pursue a college education in the USA. This is not a done deal but just something I have been contemplating. Any other ideas?

[Gaybutton]

I think that's an excellent idea, but the local language schools might challenge you on that and try to stop you. I know several "farang" who enrolled boyfriends into language schools. Usually the boys went for a few lessons and then stopped going at all. I don't know any who ever actually completed even a basic course, let alone anything more advanced.

 

Another idea might be some sort of job-seeking help. Most of the bar boys I know are working in the bars because the only marketable skill they have, aside from the rice farm, is selling sex. Few are in the bars because they like working in bars. Just the other day a boy complained to me that he has been working in the bars for over a year and nearly every month they come up with an excuse to reduce his salary, which isn't much in the first place, and sometimes he wasn't paid at all. He says the only decent money he ever makes is when he gets taken "off." Most boys are lucky if they get taken "off" three or four times in a month.

 

Some have told me they would love to get a job in a hotel or restaurant, but they don't even have enough money for the taxi fare necessary just to spend any appreciable time trying to look for such jobs.

 

RichLB came us with some excellent ideas to help boys make some good money on the following thread:

 

http://www.gaythailand.com/forums/index.ph...ic=2057&hl=

 

He and I have actually sat down with some boys, explained thoroughly what they would need to do and how they can do it. They listen politely, say they are very interested, and that's the end of it. So far we have not been able to convince even one to give any of these ideas a try even when we offer to help them personally to get started.

 

The thing that concerns me most about the idea of starting a charity is, after you deal with all the legal hassles and unforeseen problems and pitfalls, that there will be few takers.

 

I'm not trying to be negative, but from what I have observed the only help most of the boys I have encountered are seeking consists of finding a sugar daddy who will support them for the rest of their lives and/or start a business for them, such as opening a 7-Eleven type store in their home towns, without having the first clue as to how to run a business.

 

Some really do want to go to school to continue their education and really make something of themselves.

[Guest pete1969]

Some really do want to go to school to continue their education and really make something of themselves.

 

I agree with a lot of what GB has to say.

 

I have met a number of bar boys who have gone to University or who had already graduated from Uni. I think all of these boys already had the aptitude for University (all did well in High School and actually finished) and had the determination and drive to succeed there. All the boys I met were actually in the bar business because it was a much better living then entry-level jobs they could find after Uni. Also, all of them were gay, so they did not mind the bar biz as much as the straight boys.

 

There is a NGO in BKK that works with bar girls and offers them counseling and job training and other social service type stuff. I also think the BBB group in BKK offers their bar staff a community center type place with free classes and Internet (at least they used to have this). GT, you might consider your charity in a broader light: offer English classes, but also offer free job training, HIV testing and counseling and referrals, and whatever other type of social services a bar boy might need. I've always wished someone would start a good financial program or micro-investing program for the boys, but I realize most would never use this type program.

 

Also, as GB points out, many boys want to start a business but have no business skills. I had this problem with the first BF. I started a costume shop for him, and while he had the technical knowledge for such a venture (making costumes), he had no business sense and only a 7th grade education. I am not sure a basic business course would have helped him, but it might have.

 

Many boys are happy being a bar boy and like the life and regardles of what they say, they don't want to change their life. More power to them IMO. Others would welcome a helping hand but don't always know how to take advantage of well-intentioned help (ie--they stop going to free classes).

 

Pete

 

 

[Guest wowpow]

Wow! GayThailand how Jai Dee can one get Bravo. You are certainly not taking an easy way out to help people. It sounds fraught with difficulties.

 

 

[Guest]

Thanks guys. It is fraught with difficulties and I have not formalized a plan yet but I know part of it wants to give those that work in the bars a chance to pursue an education if they so desire as well as to learn english as many of them do. It won't be for every guy but I know some who would be interested. I haven't yet formulated the final concept but just in the thinking stages.

 

1.I would want a way to get them in school and many I have talked to say that can't afford even the small price that the schools there change.

2. I know many who really have a desire to learn English but can't enroll in the classes as they too are expensive. My thought was linking the two and making it totally free for those that are able to keep going with number 1.

3. Many fail because of lack of other basic needs being met. Rent. Food. etc. I have not figured a way to incorporate these into the program for the boys chosen to do the program but I know there is a way.

 

I know I want to accomplish the above but have not formulated the right plan or strategy yet.

 

 

 

[Gaybutton]

This article from the PATTAYA CITY NEWS might give you some alternative ideas.

 

see http://www.pattayacitynews.net/news_24_11_50.htm for photos.

_____

 

Deputy Mayor Helps 11 Year Old Student Living Rough Behind a Chinese Cemetery

 

 

Deckjing Saroshar aged 11 is a bright student who attends Pattaya School Number 2. Everyday she arrives at school in her white and blue uniform and appears to be a happy child. However, Teachers have been concerned why she is constantly excluded from social gatherings at lunch and afternoon breaks. They were also concerned about her weight and decided to do some investigation into her living conditions and were shocked to find that she was living with her jobless Father in a tin hut behind a Chinese Cemetery in Naklua.

 

Information was passed on to Khun Ronagit, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya who was told that the girl’s father, Khun Tongpraer aged 35 would sometimes not have enough money to feed himself or his daughter. He had come to Pattaya 10 years ago to search for his Wife, without success. He was unable to find work and now collects recyclable items from the street. He uses most of the money to educate and feed his daughter.

 

The Deputy Mayor decided to help out the pair and opened an account for the girl at the Government Savings Bank and placed an undisclosed personal donation inside the account.

 

If you would like more information on the Girl and her Father please call the Pattaya City Call Center on 1337 or you can send a donation direct to account number 03-2105-20-112608-2 at the Government Savings Bank.

 

[PattayaMale]

Good luck GT. I imagine you will be able to create the charity or foundation. I read your 3 points and feel that their must be something else that keeps some of those that start from finishing. Here is why I feel that.

 

I have a very good friend that has paid the school fee and a good allowance of 20,000 baht per month. He has also either had the boy live with him or would pay for a boy's apartment. ( I say boy but those he helped were 26 - 32). He tried it with 3 different boys over a 4 year period. His (farang)motivation was so he could eventually talk with the boy. I know he did help one get into business and helped him open a video game shop. He paid all the expenses of the business setup and helped with rent and electric for about another 6 months. None of the 3 learned much English at all. He tried different schools and went to the schools sometimes to ask what was wrong. I know he felt the schools just did not know how to teach. I have a different view, but the point is he went 0 for 3.

 

Possibly a social worker or someone that could help determine an aptitude for learning language would help. Of course I am not an expert in this at all. I just thought it might be helpful if you could find those that have been successful. I think Traveler Jim said he has tried to help several and I am sure others have tried to be of help. I am wondering if they have had a better success rate than my friend.

 

Maybe if you could hook up with a cruise ship operator...I know several that have had experience as waiters that have gone to cruise ships and have seemed to be successful. Their English was very limited to that needed as a waiter at Café Royale. But if there is a good payoff like a specific job guaranteed at the end of a course, may be helpful.

[Guest rainwalker]

Do NOT do it or, as they say across the Brooklyn Bridge, "Forgedaboudit"

 

There is absolutely no doubt that that anyone thinking about creating a charity is a concerned citizen of good will with a big heart and is, in the best sense of the word, amateur; a well meaning individual engaged in charitable works for love, rather than as a profession.

 

The path that you want to take will end in great, and probably terminal, difficulty.

 

To do it right, and to have it work properly, you need organization and planning, community membership, a cohesive board, and a wide contributor base among many many other things.

 

You also need "bullet proof" executive management whose reputation is impeccable. As you might imagine, any possibility of negative press and attention rules out any individual from serving. What you don't want to do is sow dragon's teeth. Whomever is associated with this must be totally above suspicion because, for sure, there are folks that would be happy to see you fail and this is not about you, this is about helping male prostitutes and it will attract heat - I await the BBC TV crews.

 

 

No organization that expects to continue can do so without a structure and it sounds like the structure you contemplate is going to be highly informal, which will be a disaster.

 

This will need a distinct and formal charter, bylaws, a membership that can be tapped for funds, and elections to determine a board. An active and engaged membership, which is totally absent in your thinking, is the prime source for donations, resources, support, and succession. (While there is a very narrow but willing donor base - some friends -, that fact does not compensate for people belonging to and being involved the organization via membership.)

 

This creates major issues for stability and I stress that the lads that this organization proposes to help have been promised many things by many farangs only to have almost all assurances prove to be empty.

 

These kids are fragile, a word that we usually don't associate with them but believe me, they only get one real chance to go. Each attempt after the first one gets weaker and weaker and the chances of success diminish. Because of that and the possibility that this could deteriorate into a morass of well intentioned unintended suffering, the risk of failure here is unconscionable.

 

This must not become an attempt at doing good. Like Yoda said "Do or do not... there is no try."

 

Perhaps this is a good place to mention that learning English will not get them out of the trade; it will only teach them a rudimentary understanding of another language. What they need is life skills, skills that are applicable to a life away from the neon and glamour(?), the up-all-night party atmosphere, the adrenaline of the trade.

 

No, don't do it. This is a big undertaking and your efforts are best used elsewhere.

 

Rather than reinventing the structural and organizational wheel, find an established group and bequest a large annual lump sum amount - so they can plan a yearly renewable program - with the proviso that it be spent in a way that serves the needs of the young men you want to see benefited.

 

I say all this from experience; other than a long business career, I was, not all that long ago, a founding director of an umbrella group of 12 NGOs focused on solutions for the poorest and most addicted area in Canada, and previously, I held founding board positions in a number of not-for-profit organizations focusing on human rights and community development. As well, I was executive director of several NGO's focusing on the needs of disenfranchised youth in the inner city.

 

If you want any further insight from an admittedly jaded position, PM or email me.

[Guest Geezer]

Before proceeding much further you should also discuss with a lawyer the taxes which are levied upon funds raised for charity. There was much discussion regarding funds for tsunami victims being taxed.

 

Bribes must be paid to three very “respectable” individuals in order to obtain a charter.

 

The sex is good over here, but we must face the fact the place is a quagmire.

[Gaybutton]

In other words, based on what is being said here, it's a very altruistic idea that either simply isn't going to work or will be such a tremendous hassle that it has little, if any, practical chance.

 

I think the best thing we can do for these boys is through the work being done by PGF. I wish it were different, but after reading Rainwalker's post, I think he's right and he obviously knows what he is talking about.

 

Many of us feel that we would like to "give back" in return for how Thailand has enhanced our lives. I think PGF is the best way to do it, at least on a practical level.

[Guest wowpow]

GayThailand, You have been shown many obstacles but do not be put off your laudable wish to help others n Thailand. As you correctly say you have not fully thought through your aim and are gathering information.

 

There is an informative trail over on Gay Ting Tong about sponsoring Pattaya Street Kids http://www.gaytingtong.com/topic2124.html

 

As others have told you some of the difficulties. I'll give you my initial thoughts on free English lessons for bar boys.

 

I can understand the desire to help the lovely guys that we meet in bars BUT how many Thai boys actually want strongly to improve their lot or believe that they can do it through education. I suspect that you are applying Western attitudes to a Thai situation. Also let's face it bar boys are the ones who have taken the easy way to money other than crime. Achievements in doing this are likely to be very thin on the ground. Even with fluent English they are unlikely to get a monthly income larger than in the bars and they will have to work long hours.

 

I do know of a couple of bar boys who go to school to learn English and pay from their earnings and it warms the cockles of one's heart to see that. Truthfully they have each now got a 'sponsor' and also wives and families and feel successful.

 

You want you 'own charity' - why? I suspect to enjoy some connection with what good is being done with your donations rather than an ego trip - you don't seem to be that sort of a guy.

 

I have though along these lines though not investigated in much depth. It's good if the giving can be amplified by tax benefits being attached. For a long time I have given to Oxfam which I feel is doing good and reasonable cost effectively but any feedback always has a request for more money at the end. I spot the monthy payments on my bank statements and it feels as if I am earning merit but remotely.

 

I have met several Westerners who are involved in helping poor people in Pattaya and you can see that they are giving a lot and getting a lot back from what they are doing. I remember vividly the few prison visits that I did before the help scheme fell through.

 

I do know of quite a few farangs who have tried to help their 'boy special', or someone that they like, to improve themselves through education or business. The success rate is very low but it does happen occasionally.

 

My current thinking is that sponsorship may be interesting and it's nice to help local people particularly young ones abandoned or seriously poverty stricken. I see and read of numerous success stories from orphanages and from The Pattaya Street kids. I am nearing a decision and Pattaya Street kids seems my current favourite. It is not religion based, all funds go to the charity and donations can be increased by 28% is you are a UK tax payer. You can visit and you get feedback.

 

I suppose that logically the most effective, life saving way, is giving to Pattaya Gay Festival and Dr.Philippe but many of us do that fairly regularly already.

 

There is also the painless way of giving - in your Will to consider.

 

Pira Sudham has written several books about Thailand in English. I think that they are a MUST read for any farang.

http://www.pirasudham.com/

http://www.thailife.de/wecare/monsoon/en/visit.html

 

Phra Peter Pannapadipo - The English Monk has written two books and has an educational trust

http://www.thaistudentcharity.org/

 

http://www.aidstemple.th.org/

 

 

 

It might be a good idea to talk to some of the great guys at Thais4you.

 

I hope that these fuzzy, disconnected thoughts may be of some help.

[Guest]

Thank you all for your help and advice. It is very very much appreciated. So many wonderful suggestions and things to keep my mind racing. Thanks guys!