In 2025, we at The Life Skills Development Foundation (TLSDF), also known locally as RakDek Foundation, continued our mission to ensure that children and youth in Northern Thailand can grow up safe, healthy, and with equal access to their rights. As we move forward toward our 28th anniversary, we remain deeply committed to empowering children, strengthening communities, and supporting those who carry the responsibility of protecting children’s well-being.
This year, we implemented six core projects in parallel with ongoing advocacy and child-rights activities at local, national, and international levels. None of this work would be possible without the trust and support of our partners and donors, including Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, Daiichi Sankyo, KinderNotHilfe, Diakonia Thailand, the European Union, CRC Asia, Terre des Hommes Netherlands, WWF, and many individual supporters.
Saving Lives Through Access to Heart Surgery
Pediatric and Family Cardiac Program (PFCP)
One of the most urgent parts of our work remains ensuring that children and families can access life-saving healthcare. Through our Pediatric and Family Cardiac Program (PFCP), we supported 30 underserved heart valve patients to receive the surgery they needed, people who would otherwise not have full access to treatment through Thailand’s health insurance system.
We also brought health services closer to communities by organizing three mobile screening clinics, reaching 312 people with cardiac health evaluations. Alongside this, we held awareness activities reaching 400 participants, helping families recognize symptoms early and seek care sooner.
Empowering Migrant Women and Building Community Strength
Migrant Women Empowerment for Children’s Health Care and Development Promotion (MWEC)
In 2025, we continued the fourth year of our five-year project supporting migrant women and children in Chiang Mai. Through the Migrant Women Empowerment for Children’s Health Care and Development Promotion (MWEC) project, we focused on strengthening women’s leadership, economic stability, and their ability to advocate for their children’s education and development.
We supported 20 active women’s self-help groups, made up of 186 migrant women, who collectively support 213 children. Seventeen groups built strong savings systems, accumulating 1,089,686 THB in community funds. Eight groups expanded into investment-based activities, creating small businesses such as grocery shops and local product production.
At the same time, we strengthened youth participation by training 82 migrant youth leaders, who then shared their knowledge through peer-to-peer activities, reaching an estimated 12,500 young people across schools and communities.
Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation and Online Harm
Stepping Up to Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children (SUFASEC)
Child protection is at the heart of our work, and the Stepping Up to Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children (SUFASEC) project continues to be one of our strongest responses to sexual exploitation of children and online abuse. In 2025, we worked across Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son to strengthen prevention systems in schools, families, and local governance structures.
This year, we trained 482 youth leaders in reproductive health, sexuality education, and online safety. Through youth-led peer projects, we reached 3,373 children and community members. We also trained 61 teachers to integrate life skills and OCSEA prevention into their teaching and organized 22 workshops for parents and caregivers, reaching 944 participants.
Across the full project cycle, our online campaigns reached 19,807 views, and we helped establish six Youth-Friendly Corners in schools, safe spaces where children can seek support, counseling and referrals without fear or stigma.
Supporting Youth Advocacy and Policy Change
Building Organizations & Local Actors Dialogue (for) – Policy (B.O.L.D.)
In 2025, we continued strengthening youth civic participation through the Building Organizations & Local Actors Dialogue (for) – Policy (B.O.L.D.) project, working across 11 sub-districts in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Mae Hong Son. We trained 321 youth leaders, and supported 87 participants with advanced training in public speaking, campaigning, and strategic communication.
We also supported the creation of four Sub-district Children and Youth Councils, and helped youth representatives join district-level structures, ensuring young people are not just participants but decision-makers.
One of the most significant policy achievements this year was an official directive issued by Thailand’s Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), prohibiting the use of students in online content creation that violates their rights. This was a major step forward in protecting children’s digital privacy and dignity.
Youth Leading Environmental Justice
Mekong in Balance (MIB) Project
We believe children’s rights and environmental rights are inseparable. Through the Mekong in Balance (MIB) Project, we supported youth leaders to learn, speak up, and take action on climate change and biodiversity protection.
Youth-led initiatives reached 1,210 peers and community members through creative tools such as educational videos, posters, board games, and community gardens. A major achievement was the publication of 800 copies of the book “Whispers from the Earth,” now shared across schools and partner networks to spread awareness of biodiversity and climate justice.
Ensuring Legal Identity and Visibility for Migrant Children
Consultation with Children and Civil Society: Improving Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (MCCRVS)
For many migrant and marginalized children, being unregistered means being excluded—unable to fully access education, healthcare, and protection. Through our Consultation with Children and Civil Society: Improving Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (MCCRVS) project, we helped bring children’s voices to national and international policy discussions.
In 2025, we supported youth representation from Northern Thailand at the 3rd Ministerial Conference on CRVS in Bangkok, where real stories from affected communities were shared directly with decision-makers. This work reaffirmed a crucial message: no child should remain invisible in the eyes of the law.
Supporting Education and Creating Safe Community Spaces
Beyond our main projects, we continued providing educational support through long-term scholarships and emergency grants. With support from CAF America, we assisted four migrant students whose families faced extreme hardship.
We also organized Children’s Day activities in multiple provinces, reaching hundreds of children and families through playful learning, child rights education, and awareness of online safety, gender diversity, and health.
Looking Ahead
In 2025, we saw once again that sustainable change happens when children, families, schools, and communities work together. We are proud of the young leaders, teachers, women’s groups, and partners who stood with us throughout the year.
None of our work in 2025 would have been possible without the dedication, trust, and cooperation of our partners, donors, and communities. We extend our sincere gratitude to all organizations, networks, local authorities, schools, and volunteers who stood alongside us in protecting children’s rights and strengthening youth participation across Northern Thailand.
Most importantly, we thank the children, youth leaders, families, teachers, and community members who courageously shared their voices and experiences, and the TLSDF/RakDek team whose commitment and daily work continue to move our mission forward.
Together, we continue moving forward,so every child can grow up safe, supported, and empowered.
