Project Launch: 1-3-20

Baan Eurphon is an orphanage in Thailand which supports 42 children ages 6 months to 18 years. Last year, World Connect funded the launch of a café at the orphanage which exposed children to the skills of running a business and generated income for the children's basic needs. The café has had great success, building relationships between the orphanage and the community, reducing stigma, and generating income to support the children. This World Connect grant will support the addition of another income generating enterprise, recycling and melting plastic into household goods such as coasters, flower pots, and trays. The raw materials for the products will be sourced from the local community group called "Trash Heroes", which regularly collects plastics from the beaches in the community. In addition, the machinery for the molds can be used to create reusable plastic bags, branded with the Baan Eurphon logo, to sell to visitors and members of the community. This will create more job opportunities and additional income streams to support the children at Baan Eurphon.