Temporary aid project in slums is given a structural character
In fact, he never expected it when Friso Poldervaart started a temporary emergency aid project for the residents of Klong Toey two years ago, at the start of the covid period. A slum in the heart of Bangkok. But now the Bangkok Community Help Foundation, formerly Dinner from the Sky, has grown into a large-scale, broad-based organization with 400 volunteers, helping one million people to date.
In the very beginning it was only about food aid, clothing aid, the distribution of toys and medical care, but now the project has acquired a more structured character. “The vision has grown and changed. The emphasis is now on the long term, on community development such as schooling and sports, education in all kinds of areas, the realization of playgrounds, houses and schools, better care and ditto living conditions,” says Friso.
Help from around the world
In two years, the initiative of four friends in Bangkok has become known throughout Thailand and far beyond. “We maintain good contacts with the government, the police and the army, the media, hospitals, television celebrities, politicians and many companies that support us. We are welcome everywhere and receive help from all over the world.”
As covid swept through the slums, the team managed to arrange 50.000 free tests and 60.000 vaccinations. Soon the aid organization, which was then called Dinner from the Sky, distributed around 2.000 meals a day. And once a week another 1600 to 2000 bags with goods consisting of five kilos of rice, oil, noodles, soap, masks, milk, et cetera. “In addition to us, other emergency aid organizations were active, but none of them are left,” says Friso. The help was badly needed, not only in the beginning but also during the course of the pandemic that seemed to have no end. Anyone who tested positive and in need of help was immediately taken to a hospital. Possibly in one of the four own ambulances that the Foundation has. “The emphasis was on saving people. But that didn't always work out," the co-founder looks back. “Then we arrived at '180 kilometers per hour' in our ambulance with oxygen bottles and we were still too late. Then we saw a mother lying on the floor, deceased, surrounded by her family. We were upset about that and that was something I had to get used to.”
Dinner in the Sky
Ten years ago, Friso moved to Thailand after his studies to set up the Digital Distinct company for (Digital) Marketing and Video productions. That quickly went uphill. A second company was Dinner in The Sky, where you could dine floating in the air in a restaurant. Covid brought this concept to a brutal end. To do something for the poorest fellow human beings in society, he set up the food aid and clothing project Dinner from the Sky with business partner Johannes Bergstrom, which soon attracted many volunteers and gave it a lot of attention in the media.
“In the beginning we did get some resistance from the authorities because we don't like the bureaucracy, but just do it. Sometimes we weren't allowed to do something, but we didn't care. We don't think too much about it, we just go for it. And that is where our strength lies. When 80.000 construction workers were in lock down in the camp where they stayed, we were at the door to help them. There were also soldiers who stopped us. But by saying 'this has to stop' in front of the camera, we were able to enter.”
Work hard to survive
In addition to Klong Toey, aid to the slum dwellers has been extended to the slums in Wathana. “Actually, that is the real Bangkok,” says Friso. “They are communities with wooden houses where people work hard to survive. You'll be there in no time, they are often hidden behind the big shopping malls. Before covid I hadn't been there that much myself. I advise everyone to get a coffee at a restaurant there, take a walk through it or come with us sometime.”
It has been ten years since he settled in the Thai capital. But the aid project has now become his full-time job, which he does not earn anything from. He is right at home in the underprivileged communities where the foundation operates, where the need is high and the inhabitants are left to fend for themselves. “My company Digital Dinstinct is now well managed by a good team. I don't care much about that anymore. It is my own choice and I think that this organization will still exist ten years from now.”
Bangkok Community Help Foundation
Friso and his team went for the name change last year because Dinner from the Sky grew to great proportions in terms of infrastructure, administration and finance. There are also a few hundred volunteers to be managed. “Bangkok Community Help Foundation, is a foundation and from a tax point of view it is also more convenient. For example, donors can declare their donations as tax deductions.”
Contact and Donations
Bangkok Community Help Foundation is located at House 23 at Sukhumvit 10 Alley, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
For donations: Account number: 105-5-06287-9
Swift: BKKBTHBK
Bank address: Bangkok Bank,182 Sukhumvit Rd
Bangkok Thailand 10110
For more information look at: Look at the website or go to Facebook.
Help was already needed before Covid and will continue to be needed for the after covid
Many poor people in Thailand. Hold on guys….