BBS is launching an emergency campaign to assist the Thai Child Development Foundation (TCDF) farm operations and school from closing. All the funds raised will go towards critically needed water tanks and drip irrigation systems that will water their fruit and vegetable gardens. Their farm is a key revenue source with the funds rasied from the sale of the produce going directly into operating the special needs school, currently serving 52 children, in the forest community of Paksong.
Thailand's 2020 drought will last until the autumn and be one of the most severe experienced in decades. To stave off the growing crop losses, TCDF is manually packing water up steep hills to their young fruit trees and vegetable gardens but this is not sustainable long term. In addition, the current global health crisis has halted tourism and the number of guests at their eco-lodge. In the past, the drop in tourism could be off set by the farm operations but that isn't the case now.
This project focuses on helping secure and then install, with the support of a local irrigation company, the water system that will ensure a constant flow of water to all of their gardens and in particular the fruit trees that are have been recently planted on a plot of land that was cleared and tiered for use prior to the 2020 drought. In addition, we have secured an agronomist who will act as a coach/mentor to support proper soil testing, plant food and water requirements for optimum growth.
For TCDF, long term the organisation will achieve their self sustaining goals and better able to manage future climate changes. In return for the school, the continued growth of the farming operation means new revenues stream and the ability to expand their offerings and support more children. For the 56 children, they'll receive the care and education to become, whenever possible, contributing individuals to their families and local community.
