A remarkable organization based in Bangkok offers free classes to Thai women who have not completed college level.  Goodwill Group is a private, non-religious Thai foundation whose mission is to improve the quality of life of disadvantaged Thai women via free skills training and career services. In addition to being a place to learn new skills, Goodwill Group is a community center where young women can come and seek advice and empowerment from the teachers and each other.

The majority of Goodwill Group students come from the very poor backgrounds and have left school in order to support their families. Many are directly or indirectly pressured into working in the sex industry where the money is faster and easier - at an often devastating cost to their health and self-esteem.  Roughly 20% already working in the sex industry and many more grapple with the decision of whether or not to do so themselves. Many of these women are single mothers who have come to Bangkok in search of work to support their children who remain upcountry. The quality of life of these children often depends on their ability to send money back to the villages where they are being raised by parents and siblings. If neglected, the female children have a high likelihood of being drawn into the same vicious circle as their mothers.

Established in Bangkok in December 2000, Goodwill Group now has more than 400 active students enrolled ranging in age from 17-39 years old. Utilizing a highly-skilled volunteer teaching corps (over half are TOEFL-certified teachers) Goodwill provides quality free English training, using industry-standard materials and methods. Computer skills classes include Typing, Basic Computer & Internet, Microsoft Office and Photoshop. They also provide vocational training and job placement assistance. Their volunteer-based operating model allows them to help quite a few at a very reasonable cost.

The Annika Linden Foundation has been able to assist Goodwill in its invaluable work by providing an 8-unit networked computer lab with a broadband internet connection which has allowed students to self-pace study between their weekly classes and access the internet to search for jobs.  ALF has also committed to funding two full-time professional staff positions including a full-time Vocational Training Manager whose task it is to identify students who want to change jobs and find opportunities for.   We are pleased to be able to help this fledgling organization leverage its already significant resources and increase its value to its students.

To find out more about Goodwill: www.goodwillbangkok.org

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Goodwill Group Foundation