Sponsorship
Inquiries and FAQ
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The mission of Grandma Cares is to give the children of Chiang Mai and the surrounding area who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS the chance to lead healthy and successful lives in their own communities, in hope that by doing so, the children will contribute positively to Thai society.
Hope Watcharaprecha, the Director of Grandma Cares, has been involved in her community in Chiang Mai for 38 years. Hope is a Mexican-American who was raised in Texas and moved to Los Angeles where she met her Thai husband. Since living in Thailand, Hope has been an active member of Rotary International, Zonta International, and The Thai Red Cross and has won countless awards for her service to the community. Hope has dedicated herself to giving back to the community that has given so much to her and her family. Hope works closely with all of the children and sponsors and has made the Grandma Cares family what it is today.
In 1992 our Founder, Somboon Suprasert or Auntie Boon, as many have come to know her was working on HIV/AIDS research in Thailand. Her internationally-esteemed research led her to the many children that were orphaned by the HIV pandemic and left to be cared for by their grandparents. Her heart went out to the children left behind as well as the tired grandparents who devote all of their energy to raising their grandchildren. It is this impact of giving a future to unfortunate lives that brought her and our current Director, Hope Watcharaprecha, to create the Grandma Cares Partnership Programme.
Currently, Grandma Cares is sponsoring more than 70 families, but many more families are still on the waiting list and need your assistance. This is why we need your help. The cost of providing annual care for a child in need is only $400 a year for children under 15 years of age, and $600 a year for children 15 and older. You can also help an unsponsored child with a simple month by month donation of 500 to 800 baht (about $17-$20), which will supply a child with transportation, hot lunches, and milk.
As we gather new partners to help our children and families, we aim to grow in the number of participants in our program, as well as expand the impact it has on Chiang Mai and the surrounding area. We hope to enrich the lives of these families while maintaining good communication with our partners and sponsors. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and will allow us to fulfill the practical needs of basic living, which brings hope and courage to these families in the GCPP
Grandma Cares Partnership Program (GCPP) is dedicated to help orphans, their grandparents and any extended family rebuild their lives for a brighter future. GCPP has created a support system for these families by teaching them work skills. Basic hygiene, healthy eating, gardening and first aid are some of the topics taught in our life skills programs. Our quality of life sessions help both our grandmothers and our children.
PHOTO GALLERY
OUR PROJECTS
PADAENG VILLAGE STORE
Kanchana was taken in by neighbors as an infant after her parents died. This action is quite typical here in Thailand where it really does ‘take a village to raise a child. As these ‘grandparents’ became older, another couple stepped in to help raise Kanchana.
Now 14, she has had sponsors from the Grandma Cares program for the last five years. This support has helped her at school and home. Still, everyday is a struggle due to her AIDS medical issues. Though with the support from sponsors like you, Kanchana has had the opportunity to grow up in a safe and healthy environment, which she certainly could not have received otherwise.
Seagames, 15, lost his parents when he was one year old, and now lives with his grandparents in Hang Dong. Like most people living in rural villages around Chiang Mai, Seagames’ grandparents work in the fields throughout the day while he attends school. Because he tested HIV positive, the Thai government gives them 500 Baht ($16) monthly to cover his health costs. All other costs to raise a young man like Seagames must come from his grandparents …or maybe from you?
Both Phum (at right in white shirt) and Tong (green shirt) have had one parent die of AIDS and Phum's mother still suffers from the disease. Life at home is stressful, and these boys rarely get to be carefree children. However, through an activity sponsored by Grandma Cares called Camp of Hope, these boys were able to form a lasting friendship, run around in a safe environment, and just be boys. Brought up in different villages, Phum and Tong still keep in touch after attending Camp of Hope. With your sponsorships and extra donations, programs like Camp of Hope are possible.
Visting for the last three years, Suvimon has enjoyed hanging out with George & Pat (here at Maesa Elephant Camp) who have been supporting her through Grandma Cares. Currently a high school senior and a straight A student, Suvimon’s dream of becoming a nurse will soon become a reality. Her generous sponsors have decided to pay for nursing college.
Kanchana
Seagames
Phum + Tong
Suvimon
The Grandparents
Make a one time donation to our organization that will go directly to these children. Just sending us 300-500 ($10-$20 USD) baht per month for a younger child, goes directly to their daily school needs.
For more information about donations and sponsorship click here:
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Donate-Contact us
28 Children with Grandma Cares Partnership Program still need Sponsors. If you choose to sponsor one of these children your money would go directly to this child for their education and food. It's only $400-$600 USD a year to sponsor one child . When you agree to sponsor a child we will send you progress reports of the children and tell you where your money is going. Your support is greatly needed and immensely appreciated. These 28 Children are still seeking your support.
Contact us.
If you are interested in sponsoring a child or have any questions,
Grandma Cares volunteers participate in every aspect of the organization's operation: fundraising, publicity, web development, office work, programming, project management, on-site construction at homes and schools, and teaching.
Q. What does it mean to become a Grandma Cares sponsor?
A. By sponsoring a Grandma Cares child, you commit to making a difference in the life of a young boy or young girl and give them a fair chance to succeed and lead a productive life, like you might have had.
Q. Is sponsorship expensive?
A. Grandma Cares offers different options based on the budget of a sponsor. The cost of providing annual care for a child under 15 is only $400 a year and $600 for our teenagers of 16 and older. Or you can help an unsponsored child with a simple month-by-month donation of 500 to 800 baht (app. $17 to $20).
Q. How long does sponsorship typically last?
A. Sponsors have the option of renewing their sponsorship each year. Typically, sponsorship last about five years.
Q. Will I be able to visit my child?
A. Yes, Grandma Cares is open to helping organize activities, visitations and meetings.
Q. Will I be able to communicate with my child and his/her family from abroad?
A. Yes, Grandma Cares encourages sponsors and the children to create their own communication.
Q. What are the benefits of sponsorship as opposed to making a donation?
A. Sponsorship is more of a personal commitment. Although donors will receive proof of what their money was used for, sponsorships are more personal.
With your assistance Grandma Cares is able to support the following community projects:
GCPP has created the "Adopt One Rural School" project, in collaboration with "Thailand Creating Changes Foundation" and the International Rotary Clubs. Some of the children of GCPP attend these rural schools that are in much need of repair.
Helping One Family At A Time Child Mortality Project In Cooperation with and Sponsorship by the Rotary Club of Homer, Alaska. GCPP worked alongside the Rotary Club to improve the home of a Grandma Cares family.
Padaeng Village Store
Photo Gallery
Activities
Projects
Meeting
These are recent photos from activities we have done with the kids. Some of these children had never been to the zoo before. Thanks to the support of sponsors we were able to bring the kids to the zoo, the elephant camp and many other places and activities. With your support we could offer more experiences and opportunities for the children.
Breakdown of Donations:
We appreciate any and all donations. Every amount counts, whether it gives a child food for one day or for one whole year. Remember what it took for your parents to raise you successfully.
For as little as $400 to $600 USD you can sponsor a child for one whole year, giving her/him food, education, life skills training, and hope. Each Life Skills workshop can cost up to 15,000 baht (about $500) per day event while helping improve a home with indoor plumbing or fixing up a playground can start as little as $100 USD, and move upwards.
To sponsor a child, please contact us and we will allow you to choose from our profiles and choose the right child for you. Once you are a GCPPsponsor, you will be able to send and receive letters and updates directly to your child. You will also receive a financial report and an official progress report on your child every 6 months.
Address:
Grandma Cares Partnership Program
412/1 Chiang Mai-Lampang Rd.
Nongprakrang, Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
Phone:
International: +6653 262691
Local: (053) 262691
Fax:
(053) 240822
Email:
hope_grandmacares.org
Donate Now
Or Mail a Check to:
Hope Watcharaprecha
412/1 Chiang Mai Lampang Superhighway Rd.
T. Nongpakrung
A. Muang
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50000
Or Cash Transfers:
"Grandma Cares"
Bank: Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited
Branch: McCormick Hospital Chiang Mai
Name: Grandma Cares
Swift Code: SICOTHBK
Accoung: 731-2-17238-3, Savings
GCPP works cooperatively with the Padaeng Village women's Weaving Group, where the women learn these skills and produce beautifully handmade goods. The proceeds of these items go directly to the women in the weaving group.
Since most gradnparents are unprepared to provide for an raise the children, Grandma Cares teaches grandmothers skills such as:
These skills helpd the grandparents to provide for themselves with the aid of GCPP's funds and skills training. We aim for the grandparents to, in turn, pass down this knowedge to their grandchildren. These skills will give them the opportunity to break out of their family's cycle of poverty and become financially independent from us.
These scarves are all made by the Padaeng Village Women's Weaving Group . If you are interested in purchasing a scarf to support these women please contact us. We also have many other colors and styles as well as other woven items at the Padaeng Village shop at J.J. Market in Chiang Mai, Thailand. For more information please email us at hope_grandmacares.org
