Baan Dada Children’s Home, Thailand
Baan Dada is an Ananda Marga children’s home on the Thai-Burmese border. It started in 1994 in an effort to protect the growing number of orphaned and disadvantaged children in the area. Many refugees and migrant families moved to this area due to poverty, disease and political repression by the Burmese military government.
There are two dadas at Baan Dada who are responsible for the development of the children, the home and many community-based projects in the area.
The main objective is to empower the children through education, both formal and non-formal. They are encouraged to learn many subjects including music, handicraft, art, language and technical skills. The children are taught to practise vegetarianism and respect all people, creatures and religions, based on the Neohumanist philosophy of love for all created beings of the world.
Baan Dada supports the local area by providing jobs for single mothers and families, who help care for the children and assist with farming, construction and weaving projects.
The home is proactive in helping itself. The children draw cards and bookmarks to sell, and take part in musical, cultural dance and yoga performances. Baan Dada grows many fruits and vegetables, and have planted rubber trees for future harvest. Of course, we also welcome support from volunteers and donors.
The newsletter of Baan Dada is online here
Take a look at this documentary on Baan Dada:
…and a music video by the children:
