Previously we talked about the charitable efforts of the Thai-Chinese community in Sakon Nakhon, as demonstrated by the philanthropic efforts of the Metta Tham Foundation (เมตตาธรรมมูลนิธิสกลนคร). But they are not the only charity operating in the province. The Lion’s Club and Rotary Club of Thailand both have branches in Sakon Nakhon. And there are a number of small, private charities doing wonderful work.
One such private Sakon Nakhon charity is suitably named The Power of Charity. Founded in early 2021, this charity is run by four teachers at Sakon Nakhon Rajabhat University: Ajarn Surasit Uypatchawong of the Science and Technology Faculty, Ajarn Chayakorn Sutakote and Ajarn Khomsin Sarntong of the English for Business Communication program, and Ajarn Nathichai Thanaraj of the Humanities & Social Sciences faculty.
The Power of Charity focuses its charitable efforts on providing financial grants to young students in Sakon Nakhon, and in neighboring provinces such as Loei, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, and Kalasin. They offer these grants to Thai children of rural families, with the purpose of improving their educational opportunities. The charity is alerted of children in need of their help via their Facebook page: The Power of Charity.
People who are interested in donating to the Power of Charity are encouraged to do so. We here at MySakonNakhon.com know every member of the charity personally. Anyone who makes a donation can be confident that every single baht donated will go directly to educational grants for Thai children (as all 4 members of the charity work for free, and never use donations for anything except funding their grants, or buying needed learning materials, such as books).
While all of the posts on the Power of Charity Facebook page are in Thai, you can learn more about their activities by using Facebook’s translation button or by copying and pasting the text into Google translate. If you have any questions, do send them a private FB message. They will gladly respond in English, as both Ajarn Khomsin and Ajarn Chayakorn are English teachers at the university.
As of July 2023, the Power of Charity has helped 30 young students with financial assistance to continue or improve their education, including Prathom (Elementary School) level students and Matthayom (Secondary School) students. Grants usually are around 5,000 – 6,000 baht ($140 – $170). The students in need are often in a single parent household where the mother has limited opportunities for work, or to children who are being raised by elderly grandparents who no longer can work. In some cases, the grants will allow the child to continue schooling, so that they don’t have to quit school and work to support the family.
Make a donation to the Power of Charity Now: Send a wire transfer to Mr. Surasit Uypatchawong, Kasikorn Bank 0711938710. To get acknowledgement of your donation, send them a private message on their Facebook page: The Power of Charity.