Baan Unrak
| Baan Unrak | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Formation | 1990 |
| Founder(s) | Donata Dolci (Didi Devmala) |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Legal status | Foundation |
| Headquarters | Thailand |
| Official languages |
Thai English |
| Secretary General | Donata Dolci (Didi Devmala) |
| Website | www.baanunrak.org |
| Location in Sarkarverse |
 |
Baan Unrak is the Thailand branch of Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team Ladies or AMURTEL. It is a non-government, non-religious, non-political community development project aimed at providing help and support to the neediest of the society.[1]
Baan Unrak was founded in 1990 by Donata Dolci, also known as Didi Devamala. At present their biggest project is a children's home that provides shelter to more than 140 children. They also run a primary school, a women's weaving centre, a bakery and a book-store.
History
Baan Unrak was founded in 1990 by Donata Dolci, also known as Didi Devamala. At that she was managing an agricultural project in Sangkhlaburi where an abandoned woman with her child met her and asked her to take care of her child as she was unable to do so. Didi Devamala later told—[2]
Many villagers in the area live by harsh conditions. They saw what I was doing with the children and trusted me. They were the one to bring the children and mother at risk. In most of the cases I did not have the heart to say no.
That was the uunofficial beginning of Baan Unrak. The number of children staying at the house increased day by day, and Baan Unrak grew to become a children's shelter. Currently there are more than 130 children living at this place. The project is managed by Didi Devamala, local staff and by volunteers.
Philosophy
Baan Unrak states that they should love and care for all beings in the universe. Their philosophy and ideology are based upon Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar's ideals, specially Neohumanism. According to Baan Unrak official website—[3]
Neo Humanism is an ecological, holistic, comprehensive philosophy. Drawing upon ancient teachings on the levels of consciousness, a neo-humanistic approach to education seeks to develop the more subtle capacities of the human mind.
Projects
Baan Unrak in Thai language means "House of Joy". Their biggest project is a children's home that gives shelter to more than 13 needy children. Other than the children's home they have also founded and are running a primary school for children. They have a project for women too where they provide vocational training, jobs and English lessons to single mothers and women.
Baan Unrak Children's Home
The children's home was founded in 1991 as a home for orphans and destitute children. It is currently home to over 140 children, as well as several single mothers. All of the mothers and 80% of the children at Baan Unrak are refugees from Myanmar (or Burma) which borders the district.
The children are taught to lead a vegetarian lifestyle and practice meditation and yoga regularly. Besides receiving an education, they are engaged in various holistic activities such as gardening, art, music and dance.
Baan Unrak Primary School
The primary school was opened in 2005 and is a fully accredited school in Thailand. It was created to provide an education for children that face significant barriers attending Thai government schools. Many of the children are immigrants from Burma, and several are many years behind the normal grade level for their age. The school specializes in offering a holistic education, teaching through stories, plays, traditional dance and various activities.
Women’s Weaving Centre
Baan Unrak offers support services to single mothers who are struggling to provide for their children. Mothers are able to stay at the children’s home with their children and work in the weaving Centre where they earn a fair wage and can save for the future. The handicrafts are sold at one of the three Baan Unrak clothing stores located in Sangkhlaburi.
Bakery
As part of their goal to be self-sustaining, they operate a bakery that sells all kinds of vegetarian meals and snacks. No animal product is used in these foods. The bakery was renovated in November 2013.[4]
References
External links
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