Mission statement

Blood Foundation is an education-based NGO on the Thai-Burma border. Our aim is to increase the opportunity for education for ethnic minority children and adults. Currently we serve the Shan (Dai), Lahu, and Palaung (Dara-ang) peoples in our area  by providing free classes in the village setting and scholarships for children in the orange farms of Fang. 

Philosophy

Blood Foundation's philosophy is one world, one family. We believe that human beings have a responsibility to take care of each other. The name "Blood" is derived from the commonality of all human beings; no matter what race, religion, culture, and geographic location we are affiliated with, we all have blood running through our veins. 

Meet the people behind Blood Foundation

Founders Ben Bowler and Jildou Brouwer

in 2006 Ben and Jildou were living in Melbourne Australia when the opportunity came up to travel to Fang in northern Thailand to volunteer for a year running some local school projects. Upon completing their assignment they decided to stay in the region and begin their own projects, eventually leading to the formation of Blood Foundation in 2008.
In 2012 they returned to Melbourne with their 2 young children Liam and Lois both of whom were born in Chiang Mai. Ben and Jildou are still actively involved in Blood Foundation and look forward to returning to Thailand one day!

Thai Board Presidents Aree and Tum

Known to the staff as P'Aree and P'Tum, the Thai Board President and his wife are the backbone of Blood Foundation. P'Aree and P'Tum also provide guidance for BF activity in Thailand and are increasing their role of management of the teachers and projects BF runs. 

Dutch Board - Stichting

The Stichting is a board of BF located in Holland. The Stichting's main role is fundraising and accounting as well as reporting to Hollands government to maintain BF's status as a charitable organization in Holland. The Stichting overseas BF activity and also guides the initiation and termination of BF projects, specifically the Moonlight Schools. 

Project Coordinator Bianca  
An American with conversational Thai ability, Bianca brings together the English and Thai speaking components of the organization. Previously the Operations Manager, Bianca manages the activity reports and finances as well as the reporting for all Blood Foundation projects. She is responsible for reporting to the Founders as well as the Dutch Board, and coordinating with the Thai Board Presidents to ensure salaries are paid each month to the teachers.

Hueyjanu Moonlight School Staff: Kru Poy and Kru Pon.

Kru Poy is an accomplished kindergarten teacher residing in the Palaung (Dara'ang) village of Hueyjanu. In 2011 she approached BF about opening and evening school in her village to help supplement the education of students there. In November 2013 the school will have been running for two years. 

Kru Poy is assisted by Kru Pon, a graduate of the local school. Because there are two teachers in the building, they are able to split up the children into two groups, one younger one older. The age range is about 5-13 years. 

Nong Toa Village Moonlight Schools: Sheleh Lahu

 Kru Geaw of the "Black" (Sheleh) Lahu School also married into the village. A graduate of grade 9, Kru Geaw is actually one of the few in her village to graduate from the local school. Like many girls in her village, she decided to marry instead of continue onto high school. Kru Geaw opened her school with BF in 2011. Despite her age, Kru Geaw has become an excellent teacher to her younger students.