Sansiri launches Child-Friendly Space in Phuket [Video]

PHUKET: Living up to the standards set by it’s own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program “Sansiri Social Change”, which aims to help support and improve children’s lives, Sansiri launched its new Child-Friendly Space in Mai Khao to provide education in a safe environment for the children of construction workers.

The project, located near the construction site of Baan Mai Khao development, was officially launched on July 21 during a ceremony honored by Phuket Governor Maitree Inthusut. An open-air classroom is available to all children of construction workers inhabiting the nearby camp who can leave their children in safety and under supervision while they are at work.

“Kids arrive here everyday at 9am and can stay until 2pm. They participate in a number of activities, they learn Thai and English and play. There is a volunteer teacher and caretakers present at all times,” explained Paniti Chantayasakorn, Senior Corporate brand communications manager at Sansiri.

There are currently 10 volunteers responsible for the children’s safety. Some are Sansiri staff volunteering their time under the company’s internal campaign to promote social responsibility.

The Phuket Child-Friendly Space was initiated by Sansiri together with Unicef and Alliance Corp and is yet another such project in Thailand with Child-Friendly Spaces already active in Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, Hua Hin, Koh Tao and in many other locations around the country.

Child-Friendly Space is another project in line with Sansiri’s Social Change activities. Other examples of the company’s CSR activities include the “give” campaign with the objective of amplifying the voices of Phuket’s youth’s thinking, presentation and documentary-making skills, allowing them to create real projects to help improve the Phuket community and the Sansiri Academy launched in Phuket in 2012 which provides free football training to encourage children to use their free time wisely and help them develop their talents and potential. Two children from the Academy have since joined the Thai national youth football team.

The Child-Friendly Space in Phuket currently caters to approximately 30 children while there are 70 kids living in the nearby workers camp.

“As of now only around half of the children from the camp attend our school,” explained Chantayasakorn.

“The rest are not yet being allowed to attend by their parents. We are working with UNICEF to understand why parents don’t want their children in school,” she added.

— Maciek Klimowicz