We are delighted to introduce the Warnborough Foundation – a charity created in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands to use education as a means for the development, enhancement and emancipation of disadvantaged individuals and communities around the world.
Our Warnborough motto of “Crossing Boundaries and Widening Horizons” remains true to our vision and philosophy. This motto can be applied to anyone, individual or group, and can refer to transcending physical or mental boundaries.
Our First Project: TEAM Koh Tao
In October, our fundraising coordinators, Charmian Fokkens and Roxanne Bentrup came up with the idea to launch an initiative on the resort island of Koh Tao, Thailand to help the migrant Myanmarese community. As the COVID-19 pandemic had devastated tourism in Thailand, many of the migrants lost their jobs and were struggling to feed their families, pay their rents, and survive in general. The closure of the borders between Thailand and Myanmar meant they were effectively trapped.
On an island with only approximately 2000 locals, the Myanmarese migrants number nearly 5000. Most are forced to work in jobs labelled the 3Ds: dirty, dangerous and demeaning.
As an international tourist resort, people who can speak English invariably get better jobs. The Warnborough Foundation has created TEAM (Teaching English And More) project to use the ‘downtime’ of the pandemic to teach the Myanmarese English. Little did we imagine how much this inspired the whole Koh Tao community.
In the space of only 2 weeks, 8 expatriates had volunteered to teach English. Local businesses donated textbooks, stationery and the use of their classrooms. Some 80 Myanmarese signed up for the classes, split into different levels and age groups (from as young as 5 years of age). Our local coordinator, Giorgio Quaresima, has done an amazing job marshalling people and resources.
We are immensely grateful to all our sponsors and volunteers. This initiative has lit the fire of hope and enthusiasm in the whole community. Even the local police have asked for assistance for their young police officers so that they can better interface with tourists.
We are expanding our project now to look at helping the community remain resilient and self-sufficient by exploring options to teach permaculture.
Coming Soon: Regeneration of Economically-Deprived Communities in the UK
We are now busy working on our next project in the United Kingdom. More details will follow.
Help Us
We are looking for donations of money, textbooks, time, expertise and other ways in which you can help us help our communities. This is a chance to give back to the world for the opportunities for which you have been fortunate to receive.
Please visit the foundation homepage or contact us for more details.
