Goals
The Sourire de Chiang Khong aims to change the fate of impoverished children in northern Thailand who are all too often victims of drugs, prostitution and AIDS.
It invests in medium and long term actions which enable these children to go to school, to learn self management skills and to value their cultural backgrounds.
A Swiss non-profit association, the Sourire de Chiang Khong raises the funds needed to carry out its projects.
The association is independent and respects each person’s social and cultural background.
Each person or institution that wishes to support the activities of the association can become a member.
The position of member is given to those who donate funds to sponsorships.
Creation and recognition
The association was founded in Geneva in 1998 and its committee works on a voluntary basis.
The association is recognised as a NGO (non governmental organisation) by the Thai government since 2001.
In February 2003 it received the Thai status of a foundation, which assures its consistency.
In 2005 Barbara Gautschi received the award of ‘Volunteer of the Year’ from the Thai government.
The association received the price Adele Duttweiler 2009.
Read the laudatio of Jean Zermatten (2009)
In 2017, Barbara received the award “Volunteer 2016” for the northern region of Chiang Rai