About Borderless Friendship Foundation (Thailand)

Borderless Friendship Foundation (BFF) is a not-for-profit organisation. BFF was established in Chiang Mai in July 2009 by nine community-based organisations working with hill tribe people in remote areas of Northern Thailand.

BFF is governed by a Board who assign the Director, Pramote Eua-amnuay to facilitate the Foundation activities. The Director works with all stakeholders - both government and non-government organisations.

Vision

For a society in which all people, especially children, youth, women and vulnerable people, have human rights and access to resources leading to quality lives.

In addition, BFF works with local, community-based organisations to facilitate project activities.

Mission

Our mission is enhance the lives of children, youth, women and vulnerable people and to strengthen culture, family involvement and community engagement.

  • Promote and educate communities about basic human rights to ensure equitable access to resources from government and private organisations.

  • Strengthen families and communities, through self-help groups, to share knowledge and promote unity in their communities.

  • Engage community members in educating their children and youth; saving for their future; livelihood development; caring for the environment; and cultural preservation.

Objectives

  1. To promote sustainable community development by focusing on agriculture, and the establishment of saving groups and cooperatives.

  2. To promote moral and ethical-related activities for families and local communities.

  3. To promote education and human rights for local people regardless of age, race, gender or geographical areas.

  4. To promote local wisdom about preserving the environment and natural resources.

  5. To engage local farmers in passing on knowledge and resources to other vulnerable people.

  6. To partner with national and international organisations.

BFF Board

Mr Pramote Eua-amnuay, BFF Director - Chair Director and Community Development Advisor

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surapoln Natakarnkitkul, Vice-chair - Associate Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University

Ms Suparie Chatkunyarat, Treasurer - Past Rotary District Governor

Prof. Dr. Boonlom Cheva-Isarakul, Committee - Retired Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University

Krongjit Eua-amnuay, Secretary - Retired manager, Ruam Jai Cooperative Credit Union

Specialist advisors

Mr Komjak Pichaironnarongsongkram Specialist on Animal Production, Department of Livestock Department

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boonlom Cheva-Isarakul Associate Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Chiang Mai University

Dr Lorel Mayberry, BFWA President - Retired lecturer in Sexology (Public Health), Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia

Pramote Eua-amnuay, Director, BFF

Pramote comes to BFF with an extensive background in community development with hill tribe people in Northern Thailand. A senior member of the Lahu people, one of 9 sub-groups of the hill tribe people, Pramote left behind his challenging background when he gained a scholarship to university in Thailand. He holds a Bachelor of Community Development and Masters of Agricultural Extension from Chiang Mai University.

Always a visionary and with a passion for the welfare of under-privileged people, Pramote was Director of the Thai arm of the Heifer Project (an international organisation whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty through self-reliance and sustainability). As a Rotarian and Past President of Chiang Mai North Rotary Club, he has been directly involved in projects such as water drilling and installing water tanks with filtration and sanitation systems for schools and communities. He has also been a consultant to the Royal Project Foundation - initiatives supported by the past King of Thailand, Thai Government, universities, agencies and individuals.

In 2009, Pramote was approached by leaders of the hill tribe people of Northern Thailand to assist in the setting up of a Foundation with the aim of providing access to education for children from the hill tribes. The leaders recognised in Pramote a man of deep compassion with the experience and networks necessary to gain help for their people. The result of their collaboration is the Borderless Friendship Foundation (BFF).

In Thailand, BFF makes use of local volunteers in technical fields such as capacity building for youth/communities, IT management, networking, and gender equality, human rights, law, agriculture, microcredit/saving and environment issues.

BFF also has leaders of community-based organisations to assist with implementation and monitoring of activities in targeted communities.

Partners

BFF has proudly collaborated with these organisations to deliver services to help the children we care for:

Rotary International

Rotary Clubs Chiang Mai North; WA clubs - Melville, Booragoon, Karrinyup, Katanning, Millpoint; and international clubs in Arkansas, USA.

Chiang Mai University

Curtin University (Perth, Western Australia) – John Curtin Leadership Academy

Department of Livestock Development

CP Group

Betagro

Local Thai government organisations