Executive Summary of TLSDF’s program achievement in 2024

‘Moving TLSDF Forward to the 27^th Anniversary’

The Life Skills Development Foundation (TLSDF) was founded in 1998 as part of Save the Children USA’s transition strategy when it closed down its operational presence in Thailand. Our vision is to see every child in our impact areas enjoy their inherent rights, and the overall mission is to empower and build the capacity of the individuals and groups responsible for ensuring the basic rights of children. At the program level, our mission is to promote children’s rights and life skills education with and for disenfranchised children, to enhance their fullest potential development, reducing risk behaviors and factors that may harm their quality of life.

Through the 2024 operations of TLSDF’s programs, we were enabled to run 6 directed implementing projects and child-rights activities in parallel with multiple child-rights advocacy activities that collaborated with our child-rights-focused networks at local, national, and international levels. This dedicated work is made possible by the support of Edwards Lifescience Foundation, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Kinder Not Hilfe, Diakonia Thailand, KNH Germany, European Union, CRC Asia, and Terre Des Hommes, Netherlands, along with public donations including Give2Asia’s Friends’ Fund, and CAF America. Please review our 2024 achievements in the following. 

1. The ‘Pediatric and Family Cardiac Program’ (PFCP) supported by the Edwards Lifescience Foundation and the Daiichi Sankyo Company

We have continued our 8th year of life-saving work by providing financial assistance to 28 underserved heart valve patients who lack full healthcare coverage through the state’s Universal Health Insurance program. In total, we have been successfully saving more than 250 lives of heart disease patients since 2017. In 2024, along with continued patient support, we expanded outreach through key events with TLSDF staff meeting with CVT nurse teams at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, distributing a total of 3,000 brochures on structural heart disease. Approximately 200 patients attended services at Nakornping Hospital during each event. Through 4 mobile heart screening days, 372 underserved individuals received heart disease screenings, of those, 82 patients were referred for follow-up care. 

Thank you to Edwards Lifesciences Foundation and Daiichi Sankyo (Thailand) Company for their life-changing support.

2. The ‘Migrant Women Empowerment for Children’s Health Care and Development Promotion’ (MWEC) supported by kinder not hilfe (KNH)

In our third year, we have successfully formed another 5 migrant women self-help groups, bringing it to 24 in total, comprising 241 members who are taking care of 194 children. In 2024, the goal was to ensure that the children of migrant and ethnic workers in the subdistricts of Nong Han, Pa Phai, and Mae Faek Mai in San Sai District, Chiang Mai Province, develop essential life skills and obtain a quality of life that is aligned with their rights. The project focused on developing and strengthening women’s self-help groups, which formed networks that served as liaisons with government and other agencies to promote education and child protection, called Community Self-Help Groups Clusters (CLAs), and two were successfully established. Additionally, this project developed child and youth networks to help them become aware of their rights and ensure access through participation in presenting issues and recommendations to relevant agencies. The project also conducted training on the Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting Curriculum (PAD), which advocates for non-violent parenting. Information on child protection procedures as well as child helpline numbers was shared with a total of 167 participants and 20 groups. Thank you for the support by kinder not hilfe (KNH)

3. ‘Build Back Better’: Empowering the Ethnic and Indigenous Youth Network and Child Rights-focused CSO Coalition in Upper Northern Thailand (EE-CR) supported by Diakonia Thailand

In 2024, which is our fourth year, the Lanna Child Rights Coalition (LCRC) and the Child Rights Youth Activist Network (CRYA), including the Ton Kla Indigenous Children and Youth Network (TKN), promoted and supported child rights in Northern Thailand. The TKN regained strength and joined national-level advocacy for the rights of indigenous people. The Child Rights Youth Activist network and the Lanna Child Rights Coalition brought together 22 youth groups to raise awareness and lead campaigns across schools and communities, reaching over 83,000 individuals. CRYA youth also actively participated in sharing their opinions, views, and suggestions in over 30 national and international forums. LCRC has established itself as a structured coalition focusing on children’s rights through civil society organizations, working closely with local administrative organizations and offices, such as the Offices of Children and Family Shelters, and the Office of Social Development and Human Security. Throughout 10 sub-districts and 8 districts in 4 provinces, they strengthened child protection mechanisms and increased the participation of children and youth. 

From 2021 to 2024, the LCRC and CRYA organized the annual Lanna Child Rights Festival, themed “Children and Women’s Voice to End Violence, Urging for Safe Space”, commemorating World Children’s Day on 20 November. These events presented a way for children and youth to present public statements along with policy recommendations to responsible agencies, committees, and other organizations to draw attention to the concern regarding children’s rights. In addition, the coalition participated in days of activism to eliminate gender-based violence through the Orange Days Activism and co-organized impactful campaigns during the Mekong River Walk-Run in Chiang Khong District. They also conducted widespread online advocacy from November 25 to December 10 over three consecutive years (2022-2024). 

In 2024, the LCRC and CRYA, with TKN focused on LGBTQI+ children’s rights and child rights in the environment, with a special focus on climate change. This resulted in joint policy advocacy and 18 member organizations, with duty bearers realizing the importance of these LGBTQI+ children’s rights, leading to changes in practices, measures, budgeting, and policies. LCRC continues to advocate for the two proposed laws in the Thai Parliament, with the Senate approving the amendment on December 16, 2024. We thank Diakonia Thailand for their invaluable support to the project.

4. The Strengthen and Empower the Lanna Child Rights Coalition (LCRC) as a network to advocate for Child Rights promotion and protection in its third year, supported by KNH Germany

In 2024, the project continued to strengthen and empower the Lanna Child Rights Coalition (LCRC) to advocate for child rights promotion and protection through three key impacts: 

1. The establishment of Lanna Child Rights Coalition (LCRC) and Child Rights Youth Activists (CRYA) Networks, along with the acknowledgment of government agencies such as the Office of Social Development and Human Security, and the Children and Families Shelter from three provinces: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, and Mae Hong Son. This built a platform for child rights-focused civil society organizations (CSOs) and youth activist groups to collaborate and mobilize lasting resources and impacts for child rights promotion and protection. 

2. The relationship and collaboration between LCRC & CRYA and local authorities such as the subdistrict administration organization (SAOs), district offices, and governor houses in 4 provinces. National-level connections with agencies such as the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Women and Family Network, and the National Children and Youth Council have allowed LCRC & CRYA to advocate for child rights. CRC Asia has also allowed LCRC & CRYA’s leaders to engage in regional and international advocacy. 

3. The strengthened functions of child protection mechanisms, along with youth participation with local children and youth councils throughout 10 districts and 4 provinces.  These efforts will be maintained by the responsible local authorities and will receive technical support from the Offices of Children and Families Shelter as well as LCRC’s member organizations working in the collaborating areas. Specific groups within LCRC, including the Migrant Children’s Rights Working Group, which has continued its collaboration with the Provincial Child Protection Committee, and the LGBTQI+ Children’s Rights Working Group, which organized a planning workshop in September 2024 to prepare for campaigns during the 4^th Lanna Child Rights Festival and Orange Days of Activism. Thank you to KNH Germany for your continued support. 

5. B.O.L.D’:  Building Organizations & Local Actors Dialogue (for) – Policy, supported by Diakonia and the EU. 

In year 1, the B.O.L.D. implementation successfully strengthened the roles of LCRC and CRYA as civil society organizations (CSOs) working alongside local authorities to promote children and youth development and participation. Trained youth leaders have expressed their strong interest in being involved in these campaigns on behalf of the children and youth councils, in collaboration with the local authorities. Their current key issues focus on child rights concerning climate change, statelessness, and online risks and harms. These efforts were further supported by findings from the Child Rights Situation Analysis (CRSA), which supported the campaign activities across 11 sub-districts in 7 districts across 3 provinces. 

TLSDF signed MOUs with 11 local authorities and all target subdistricts, showing progress for future integration, including youth leaders and CSOs’ participation in local decision-making processes. The Wiang Nuea Subdistrict Administrative Organization established an executive committee providing trained youth leaders with a platform to contribute to the annual local plan for its Children and Youth Council. Additionally, the Chiang Khong District Quality of Life Development Committee appointed a working group for children and youth, furthering youth voices in district-level planning. 

Youth leaders from Pang Mapha spoke on issues related to child rights and the environment at the National Youth Day Event. Project leaders participated in consultation meetings for child protection in online media from the National Human Rights Commission. TLSDF also strengthened networks with major stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Department of Women and Families Network, the Office of the Attorney General, and TikTok. These connections help ongoing policy dialogue and greater youth and CSO engagement in local and national platforms. Thank you to both Diakonia and the European Union for their essential support. 

6.  ‘Step Up the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children’; SUFASEC’ supported by  CRC Asia and Terre des Hommes, Netherlands.  

For Year 2, TLSDF/SUFASEC trained a total of 777 parents on SEC prevention and positive parenting through 16 different villages in Fang District, Chiang Mai, Chiang Kong District, Chiang Rai, and Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son. To sustain these efforts, parent volunteers began training to lead ongoing local initiatives, with expansion planned for year 3. Six partner schools, Ban Mon Pin and Fangchanupathum School in Chiang Mai, Ban Muang Kan and Chiang Khong Witthayakhom School in Chiang Rai, and Ban Wana Luang and Pang Mapha Pittayasan School in Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son, have served as interventions for teachers, students, and youth. Teachers in each of these target areas received training from Path2Health and ECPAT on SEC Prevention, SRHR, and Comprehensive Sexuality Education, focusing on essential topics like sexual health and rights, sexuality and gender, prevention of child sexual exploitation, and online safety. The program addressed digital risks by implementing Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC), ensuring youth can stay safe in digital spaces. A total of 289 student leaders were further trained in the Mon Pin Subdistricts Children and Youth Council to understand and address SEC and social violence issues. In November 2024, TLSDF established its Children and Youth Advisory Group, which is composed of student leaders from the six partner schools and its Child Rights Youth Activists Network (CRYA), to engage in campaigns and storytelling initiatives. These youth developed and implemented school-based campaigns and advocated for SEC prevention and SRHR, while also participating in events such as the Lanna Child Rights Festival, Safer Internet Day, along the Mekong Run to End Gender-Based Violence. They will continue advocacy at the school, community, and regional levels in year 3. TLSDF also plans roundtable discussions between youth leaders, service providers, and child protection stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and local action. We thank CRC Asia and Terre Des Hommes, Netherlands, for their vital support. 

In 2024, TLSDF continued its mission to promote children and youth participation in campaigning and advocacy activities across various forums. Most of the key players were CRYA leaders, who actively engaged in these platforms both in person and online. Throughout the year, there were at least 12 advocacy activities and important observance activities as follows:

1. Representatives of the Child Rights Youth Activist Network participated in delivering a statement and organizing an exhibition to share knowledge and raise awareness on reproductive health and teenage pregnancy prevention at the Youth Festival, organized by the Raks-Thai Foundation at Thapae Gate Plaza, Chiang Mai Province, on February 17, 2024. At the event, they also presented a board game on reproductive health and safe sex, and took part in presenting their statements. 

2. Representatives from the Child Rights Youth Activist Network and youth networks in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province, Chiang Khong District, and Chiang Rai Province, attended a SUFASEC workshop on February 24 – 25, 2024, at the Holiday Garden Hotel. The training, which was organized by TLSDF and CRC Asia, with support from Down to Zero (D2Z), Terre des hommes Netherlands, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, provided a focus on life skills, sexuality, reproductive health, and prevention of child sexual exploitation online. Youth shared experiences and created plans to spread knowledge. 

3. On March 30 – 31st, 2024, the Lanna Children’s Rights Network, including the RakDek Foundation, World Vision Foundation, Rak Thai Foundation, and Student Council of San Kamphaeng School, co-organized “Omkoi FEST #3 Music, Poetry, Art” (OmKoi FEST #3) with local partners at the Omkoi District Office, Chiang Mai Province. The event featured music and art competitions on children’s rights, forest fire prevention, and anti-violence. Activities included self-protection workshops, exhibitions, and board games on waste separation, bullying, emotional health, and online safety. Youth representative Ms. Porncharoen Sermmativong promoted the #EnvironmentalProtection campaign to ensure clean air quality for children. 

4. Ten youth representatives attended the workshop “Planning the Issue-Based Child Rights Promotion and Strengthening the Skills in Creating the Child Consultation Process for the Lanna Child Rights Network” at Chiang Mai Grand View Hotel from April 26 – 28, 2024. They presented CRYA’s 2023 progress and participated in training on the Child Consultation Process, to promote meaningful child participation and rights advocacy and to develop campaign plans on addressing children’s rights issues. 

5.  The Indigenous Seedlings Network (TKN) held its 4th assembly along with the TKN Festival and the Good Festival at the Lanna Human Resource Development Center in Chiang Mai on May 4 -7, 2024. The event gathered 170 members and children’s rights youth activists. Two individuals were elected as vice president and a committee member of the new TKN Committee. Youth presented local initiatives and shared experiences on Indigenous children’s rights, environmental issues, gender diversity, and the role of the Indigenous Council of Thailand. Key draft laws were discussed, such as the Indigenous Council of Thailand Act and the Act on the Protection and Promotion of Ethnic Groups’ Ways of Life. Strategic legislative guidelines were also drafted to strengthen the network’s advocacy with partner support. 

6. The Youth activist network for Children’s rights and the Lanna Children’s Rights network participated in the Equality Parade, at Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Province on May 25-26, 2024, celebrating diversity by waving rainbow flags and signaling the wind of freedom. Youth leaders Nong Ton Khun and Nong Matthew represented children and youth on stage, advocating for the Marriage Equality Act and related laws focusing on children’s best interests. Their message, “Equal gender, equal people”, received strong attention and support.

7. On World Environment Day, June 5^th, 2024, the Youth Network for Children’s Rights held an online campaign promoting 4 simple ways to reduce plastic use for a sustainable future for children. The San Kamphaeng School student council invited the public to enroll in a “Proper Waste Management and Environmental Conservation Online Study at Home” online course, with certificates awarded upon completion. 

8.  The Youth activist network for children’s rights and youth groups from the Nakhon Chedi Subdistrict, Pa Sang District, Lamphun Province, organized the Digital Vaccine Cyberbullying (DVC) event on June 19th, 2024, at the Nakhon Chedi Subdistrict Administrative Organization, to promote digital safety and SEC prevention through creative media. This event was supported by TKN, IMPACT Association, Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Nakhon Chedi Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Rak Dek Foundation, and the Lanna Children’s Rights Network. 70 student leaders and educators from local schools and councils participated, building awareness ahead of the International Day against cyberbullying. 

9. The Youth Network of Children’s Rights Activists participated in an online campaign in recognition of the International Day Against Human Trafficking under the theme “Stop Human Trafficking Because Everyone is Equal” on July 30^th, 2024. The campaign was promoted through online channels to raise awareness and advocate for equality.

10. Youth leaders and activists for children’s rights participated in an online safety training organized by ECPACT at the Amora Thapae Hotel on October 27-30, 2024. The training equipped participants with online awareness skills and protection against various forms of online threats. It allows participants to be smart in life and online, which is a current situation that youth deal with. 

11. The Youth Network of Child Rights Activists and the Lanna Children’s Rights Network marked Universal Children’s Day and Thailand’s 32nd anniversary of ratifying the Convention on the Rights of the Child with events on November 20, 2024. The 4th Lanna Children’s Rights Festival, Children and Women’s Voice Festival, and the Lanna CRC Festival #4 were held on November 23, 2024, at Duangtawan Hotel, Chiang Mai, featuring exhibitions, games, performances, discussions, and a policy roundtable for recommendations to support children’s rights. The evening campaign at Thapae Gate, themed “End the violence, demand safe spaces,” included performances, media presentations, pledges, youth talent shows, and statements addressing children’s and women’s rights. The event launched the Campaign to End Violence Against Girls and Women, held on November 25–December 10, 2024.

12. The Youth Activist Network for Children’s Rights, Lanna Children’s Rights Network, and youth leaders organized campaign activities during the 2024 Kham Kong Run #3, “End Violence by Gender” in Huay Xai, Bokeo Province, Lao PDR – Chiang Khong District, and Chiang Rai Province, from December 7-8, 2024. Activities included games on reducing violence, campaign posters, and online safety materials. A tuk-tuk convoy with 20 vehicles displayed banners with messages addressing violence and migrant children’s issues in Thai, English, and Lao from December 6 to 15th. Approximately 40 youth and elders engaged with the public through signs and discussions at markets and activities at the Friendship Bridge (Laos /LCRC/CRYA network). Youth representatives also delivered statements and suggestions on stage. 

Important activities of the Rak Dek Foundation:

In addition to the various projects and promotion of the participation of child and youth leaders throughout 2024, TLSDF or RakDek Foundation carried out the following…

1. Continuing scholarships for Mathayom 1 to Mathayom 3, with interest from TLSDF or RakDek Foundation’s Establishment Fund (Scholarship and living fund). The TLSDF or RakDek Foundation continues to provide ongoing scholarships for children in basic education, funded by the Foundation’s Establishment Fund in 2024, totaling 2 scholarships.

2. Helping alleviate the suffering of children, youth, and families who are vulnerable to social problems, with budget support from Give 2 Asia and CAF America. This support aided victims of the flood in Ban Muang Kued, Village 2, Kued Chang Subdistrict, Mae Taeng District, and Chiang Mai Province, where villagers from various ethnic groups, such as local Thais, were affected by flash floods. Other Ethnic groups, such as the Lahu tribe and Shan people, delivered 120 survival kits and items for young children, such as milk, snacks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and school supplie,s such as pencils, crayons, pens, rulers, erasers, coloring books, and notebooks, totaling 200 sets. 
3. Supported scholarships for students and children of migrant workers whose families are well-behaved and who are affected by the economic situation. This support came from Give 2 Asia. 
4. Supported scholarships for students and children of migrant workers whose families are experiencing difficulties due to family vulnerability. Children’s equipment, such as milk and disposable diapers, was delivered, and this support comes from CAF America. 

I would like to express my sincere gratitude, on behalf of the Life Skills Development Foundation (TLSDF), to the network of all partners, organizations, agencies from the public and private sectors, businesses, community leaders, and volunteers, including the youth leaders of CRYA in all TLSDF impact areas, for their support, cooperation, and participation in the foundation’s program activities throughout the fiscal year 2024. Specifically, I would like to thank Edwards Lifescience Foundation and Daiichi Sankyo Company, Kinder Not Hilfe, Diakonia Thailand, KNH Germany, EU, CRC Asia, and Terre Des Hommes, Netherlands. Along with all the kind individuals who have donated to TLSDF. 

For the fiscal year 2025, TLSDF, or RakDek in Thai, will continue and strive our work for the rights of children in the changing situation in Thai and global society that may infringe on their entitled rights and affect the welfare and quality of their lives, such as acts of violence against children in all forms and places, natural environment that causes various disasters, living in a risky digital environment that must be consciously adjusted, and the living conditions.

TLSDF’s program in 2025: ‘Moving TLSDF Forward to the 27^th Anniversary’

In 2025, TLSDF will continue implementing our 4 former projects with 2 new projects as listed below.

1. The ‘Pediatric and Family Cardiac Program’ (PFCP) is supported by the Edwards Lifescience Foundation and the Daiichi Sankyo Company

2. The ‘Migrant Women Empowerment for Children’s Health Care and Development Promotion’ (MWEC) supported by kinder not hilfe (KNH) in the fourth year of the five-year project. 

3. Promote, Facilitate, and Advocate for Child Rights promotion and protection’ as the secretariat organization of Lanna Child Rights Coalition (LCRC) and Child Rights Youth Activists network in upper northern Thailand – Looking for sustainable funding    

4. MIB: ‘Mekong in Balance’, Empowering and strengthening LCRC & CRYA on their rights to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, supported by CRC Asia and WWF

5. ‘Step Up the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children; SUFASEC’ is supported by CRC Asia and Terre des Hommes, Netherlands, as the third year of a three-year project

6. B.O.L.D. – Policy; Building Organizations & Local Actors Dialogue (for) – Policy project contributes to the EU’s Lot No. 1 Actions implemented in the whole of Thailand. Diakonia is the action’s lead applicant with two co-applicants, namely, the Center for Girls Foundation and the Life Skills Development Foundation (TLSDF)

With trust and devotion to Child Rights Promotion and Protection 

Kreangkrai Chaimuangdee

Executive Director and General Secretary 

The Life Skills Development Foundation

Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

159/114 Anusarn Villa T.Padeat A.Mueang Chiang Mai 50100 Thailand.
Tel: +66 53 212 757
Email: tlsdfrd2021@gmail.com/ www.rakdek.org