Area:   8,839 sq. km
Population: 1,500,000
Targeted areas: 99 villages
Sponsored children: 5,000

Srisaket is in north eastern Thailand, situated in the valley of the Mun River - a tributary of the great Mekhong River. The landscape is flat, perfect for the cultivation of rice and other lowland crops.

Plan Thailand established a programme unit here in 2002 and today works in 5 areas: Huaytabtan, Namkliang, Phusingh, Prangkoo and Sriratana districts.

Programme highlights

Mothers’ groups to help children

Young mothers often do not have the skills necessary to stimulate their young children and help them develop. To address this, Plan Thailand has helped mothers in Srisaket to form mothers’ groups and has provided training in engaging children, playing with them, nutrition and early childhood care and development. Over 500 children from the area joined in the activities.

Mrs. Chalita Tapromme, a leader of a mothers’ group, said: “Through working in the project, I realise that we cannot concentrate only on economic development. Early childhood care and development is crucial. Children need to be stimulated appropriately for their age. Involvement in the project led me to transfer this knowledge to my community. I also involve children and youth in the activities for they will be able to represent us in the future.”

Transforming waste into a livelihood

Plan Thailand’s ‘smiling paper’ programme has helped boost livelihoods while raising children’s awareness of their impact on the environment. The initiative involved working with the community to recycle materials to make sculptures which could then be sold.

“This is an alternative for us and youth who do not go to school. We can earn an income without needing to find a job in Bangkok,” said 17-year-old Sawaeng, chairman of a youth group in Srisaket.

Vocational courses for the disadvantaged

Plan Thailand offers vocational courses to disadvantaged youth in Srisaket who cannot attend formal high school because of their poverty. Youth can learn general subjects and then specialise in areas such as mechanics, computer science, cookery and retail.

“The programme has given me the opportunity to study engineering at a certificate level. I feel that I have a brighter future,” said one proud graduate. 

Agricultural youth groups

Plan Thailand has set up 8 youth agricultural groups made up of 200 young people. Participants learn how to grow vegetables, raise animals and manage funds - skills they can apply to their own livelihoods. 

“I’m very happy to be part of my group in my school. We have many food sources here which we help to grow,” said Sirikarn, a schoolgirl involved in the programme.

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