Educational Empowerment
CSR Programmes
Educational empowerment initiatives aim to build the capacities of local communities and associates through our programs that empower people of all ages. To help people pursue a life-long learning journey, and realize their potential. At Laguna Phuket, we seek to fulfill our stakeholders’ needs in order to match guidance and knowledge to their own interests and sources of inspiration. We believe that there is no greater empowerment than the will and feverish desire to learn something new everyda
Laguna Phuket Kindergarten
In 1992 while visiting Laguna Phuket, Khun Claire Chiang, Co-founder of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts and Chairperson of the Banyan Tree Global Foundation, saw that children of the men and women working to construct the hotels had no safe place to stay during work hours. She subsequently worked with Laguna to establish a free child care centre to improve their well-being.
Since then, the centre has continuously offered free child care services and preschool education to children of community members and children of associates. The centre is widely acknowledged as one of the best in Thailand, and at the end of 2008 was formally established as Laguna Phuket Kindergarten under the guidance of the Ministry of Education. Today, the greatly-expanded program caters to 180 children aged between three and six, with 12 certified teachers creating their daily activities of fun and education.
Community Learning Center (CLC)
Laguna Phuket Community Learning Centre (CLC) was established in March 2007 from Phuket Tsunami Recovery Funds (PTRF) to develop long-term assistance for those affected by the 2004 Tsunami, it was originally set up as community English language centre providing free English courses to community members, with the generous support of Cherngtalay Sub-District Administrative Office. To-date, nearly 8,600 learners enrolled with our English learning program.
In December 2014, the new centre will be opened as the Community Learning Centre in recognition of the 10th Tsunami commemoration. The new centre will become a community hub where people can develop their skills and further their knowledge in addition to English courses.
Starting of January 2015, the centre will provide free and open community education with training provided by experts on general life skills to improve their livelihoods, and practical topics to empower individuals, so that they can realize their potential at home, in the workplace and in the community.
Fully Booked! Mobile Learning Center (MLC)
In addition to our observations, the National Statistical Office Thailand reported in 2008 that more than 14% of Thai people cannot read, and over one third of Thais do not read for pleasure or self-education. Our experience, coupled with these alarming numbers, has compelled us to initiate the Fully Booked! Mobile Learning Centre (MLC), the project which aims to re-introduce reading, the basis of self-empowerment to students.Â
MLC was launched in April 2014 with the objective to provide a 2-in-1 service as a library and a classroom to increase the rate and quality of literacy among pilot schools in Phuket and neighboring provinces with the great partnership and supported from Phuket Rajabhat University.
Our program start-up was funded by 2.2 million Baht fundraised from Laguna Phuket sports events, marathon & triathlon and another 2.2 million Baht matching fund from Banyan Tree Global Foundation. To-date, 9,669 Students, 463 teachers, and 176 volunteers have participated (as of January 2021).
Scholarship Program
Laguna Phuket scholarship program was established in 1993 through Laguna Phuket Foundation for Education with a fund of 2 million Baht. The goal of the fund is to provide educational opportunities to economically disadvantaged and socially vulnerable local children.
Each year, interest earned from the initial funds together with Laguna Phuket corporate donation are distributed among select students ranging from primary school to university level. Over the past 14 years, more than 600 students have been awarded these scholarships, which total about 5 million Baht.
The Foundation Committee, chaired by the Phuket Governor, has worked diligently over the years to ensure that the selection process is transparent and fair. The extensive screening process includes student, teacher, and parent interviews, as well as school and personal performance.
“Happy Friday – Stay for Good”
Make Laguna Phuket Your Home by taking part in one of our CSR initiatives during your stay. “Happy Friday – Stay for Good” is a weekly activity that promotes good citizenship and volunteerism among our guests and associates. A variety of do-good & feel-good activities include volunteering with our Fully Booked! Mobile Learning Centre (MLC), or joining our Happy Friday Activity at Laguna Phuket Kindergarten.
For more information, please contact us at csr@lagunaphuket.com or 076-362-315.
CFF motto is “Nourishing Hearts, Inspiring Dreams” because nurturing the hearts and minds of orphans in our community should also go hand-in-hand with providing material sustenance for their growing and developing brains, and we all know that brains need good food! It will be a wonderful way for Laguna guests to contribute the betterment of the wider community, a community which, in effect, is always hosting visitors to Phuket.
The key objective of CFF is to constantly provide sustenance to Phuket orphans and underprivileged children. As of January 2021, CFF supports 7 organizations. These organizations have been established to care for orphans, abandoned, impoverished, and underprivileged children in Phuket province.
