OUR HISTORY
ABOUT US
Since 2000
Kids Ark was founded in 2000 by Allan and Rita Holm Gustafsson. The idea was born out of their time spent as volunteers at Viengping Children’s Home, a government orphanage in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.
There they witnessed the plight of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS, reduced to poverty and vulnerable to exploitation. Drawing on their joint experience—Rita as a nurse who had worked with the HIV/AIDS service organization Noaks Ark, and Allan as a retired economist—they created Kids Ark Foundation.
They began a Child Sponsorship Program with 53 children from the orphanage. Their objective was to arrange for these children to live with extended family while attending school. Providing children with an opportunity to live with relatives in familiar surroundings instead of in an institution is the hallmark of Kids Ark Foundation.
Over time, Kids Ark broadened the scope of its efforts by establishing House of Hope after-school programs to promote education. Presently, the foundation operates four Houses of Hope. In combination with child sponsorships, the foundation serves almost 300 children.
OUR TEAM
Asst.Prof.Dr. Weena Thanachaisakul
Managing Director & Treasurer
Kids Ark – 2007
Asst.Prof.Dr. Weena Thanachaisakul (Goi) serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Art Education at Chiangmai University, Thailand. She possesses a Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instructional Education, a Master’s degree in Arts Education from Chulalongkorn University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Khon Kaen University. Moreover, she has earned a Professional Certificate in Creative Arts Therapy from the Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center (CATRC). Dr. Thanachaisakul is a widely traveled guest lecturer and was honored with the 2005 Book Festival for Young People Award in the Non-fiction category by The Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand.
Daorueang Tanoy (Maew/Annie)
OFFICE & FINANCIAL MANGER
Kids Ark – 2004
Annie manages the scholarship program and is responsible for the financial and administrative management of Kids Ark Foundation. She worked as a primary school teacher before joining Kids Ark in 2004.
Supaporn Maschakam (Ying)
TEACHER
Sansai House of Hope – 2007
Ying is the assistant leader of the Sansai House of Hope. A high-school graduate, she obtained a diploma as a nurse assistant while working at the House of Hope, thanks to a Kids Ark education allowance for staff. She joined the programme in 2007.
Patcharee Surinta
LEADER
House of Hope Hauy maung nai
Patcharee Surinta leads of House of Hope Hauy maung nai, bringing over 18 years of experience working with children. Her background includes teaching positions throughout Mae Ai district schools. Currently, she’s pursuing further education in Child and Family Development at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
Thitipond Lungtoon (Non)
TEACHER
Robin House of Hope – 2024
She started working at Robins House of Hope in 2024. She graduated from Mae Ai Wittayakhom School, completing high school in the English-Chinese program. She is from the local village and had participated in activities here when she was a student. She enjoys teaching children, and hopes to help the children communicate in English.
Deannapa Chaiworng (Tik)
LEADER
Mae Ai House of Hope – 2015
Tik is a former teacher assistant at an elementary government school and lives in Mea-I district Chiang Mai with her two children. She joined Mae Ai House of Hope in November 2015.
Nitanya Jantawaree (Mint)
ASSISTANT LEADER/COOK
Mae Ai House of Hope – 2019
Mint is the cook at the Mae Ai House of Hope. She is a high-school graduate and cooked at a restaurant before joining Kids Ark’s in 2019. She lives with her son in Mea-I district, Chiang Mai.
Atchara Jader
COOK
House of Hope Huay Maung Na
Atchara works at House of Hope Huay Maung Nai as a cook and teacher’s assistant. She is from Huay Maung Nai village and belongs to the Lahu ethnic community. Because she grew up in the village, Atchara understands the local culture and the daily lives of the children very well. She also helps as an interpreter for children who still have difficulty understanding Thai.
Atchara cares deeply about the children in her community and encourages them to attend school and continue their education. She is known for her warm smile, cheerful personality, and her willingness to support the children and the team whenever needed.
Chotika Boonla (Seew)
LEADER & TEACHER
Robin’s House of Hope – 2021
Sew Boonla (Seew) is a dedicated leader of Robins House of Hope, passionate about improving life for villagers in Mae Ai. She champions women’s and children’s rights, receiving an award for her work. Active in her community, she leads the women’s group and contributes to various projects. Seew is also pursuing higher education at the University at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya.
Chitchanok Techakam (Tak)
Teacher
San Sai House of Hope – 2024
She worked at House of Hope Mae Kat from 2011 to 2013 for two years. After that, she had to resign to take care of her child. In 2024, she returned to work at House of Hope Sansai as a teaching assistant. She says that she is happy to be with the children, teaching them, and watching them grow and develop in a positive way. She is proud to be a part of this place.
A Jorngjang
COOK
Robin’s House of Hope – 2021
A graduated Primary 6. She has a daughter who is in Primary 3. Before she began working with Robins House of Hope, she worked in the village and the rice field. She joined the program in 2021.
Naphee Uumnang
COOK & HOUSE MOTHER
Sansai House of Hope – 2025
Naphee Uumnang, 54 years old, she is a resident of Mae Hak Pattana Community, located near the Kids Ark project site. She has been familiar with the foundation for over a decade, and she enrolled her son in the HOH program about 10 years ago. Naphee returned to the foundation, she continues to see the value and impact it provides.
ADVISORY BOARD
Ms. Rita Holm Gustafsson
FOUNDER & ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2000
In her native Sweden, Rita Holm Gustafsson is a registered nurse and nurse educator. She has worked in various fields. Rita spent 25 years teaching about HIV/AIDS policy. She also worked several years in managing positions at NoaksArk Foundation, a service organization for people living with HIV and their relatives. She has worked at a Red Cross center for migrants, refugees and people living with disability. Together with her late husband, Allan Gustafsson, she founded Kids Ark Foundation, Thailand.
Mr. Thomas Westheimer
ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2008
Thomas Westheimer has been a volunteer with Kids Ark since 2008 and a board member since 2015. He helped to start a Kids Ark USA charity in the US and is a former US (Iran 1970-72) and Canadian (1973-76) Peace Corps volunteer. He ran a computer company for 20 years in the United States. He and his wife lived in Thailand from 1973 – 1983 and still see it as their second home. He also volunteers with The Foundation to Encourage the Potential of Disabled Persons and has been a Rotary member for over 24 years.
Ms. Jennifer Raley
ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2021
Jennifer Raley lives in Winter Haven, Florida. She has a background in Real Estate and owns and manages rental properties in Florida. Jennifer was introduced to Kids Ark by Willem Peppler (deceased), a longtime friend of Rita and Allan Gustafsson. Jennifer is passionate about Kids Ark Foundation: its mission, the individuals it serves, and those whose skills and energy make it happen.
Mr. Allan Gustafsson
FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER
Joint founder of Kids Ark, Allan Gustafsson (1929-2009) started his career in the Swedish Institute of Business Activity, after which he worked as an international executive for the Swedish pulp and paper industry for over 30 years. He subsequently volunteered for the Swedish Red Cross for several years. Allan held an MA from the University of Uppsala. He was the Economic Director of Kids Ark Foundation.
Mr. Ron Witzke
ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2024
Ron Witzke has volunteered with Kids Ark for the past 20 years. He co-founded Kids Ark-USA, a 501(c)3 non-profit in America, whose mission is to help financially support the work of Kids Ark Foundation. His career was providing logistical and procurement services in international humanitarian endeavors across the globe. He currently resides in Chiang Mai full-time, where he continues to volunteer at Kids Ark.
OUR BOARD
Asst.Prof.Dr. Weena Thanachaisakul
Managing Director & Treasurer
Kids Ark – 2007
Asst.Prof.Dr. Weena Thanachaisakul (Goi) serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Art Education at Chiangmai University, Thailand. She possesses a Doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instructional Education, a Master’s degree in Arts Education from Chulalongkorn University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Khon Kaen University. Moreover, she has earned a Professional Certificate in Creative Arts Therapy from the Emili Sagol Creative Arts Therapies Research Center (CATRC). Dr. Thanachaisakul is a widely traveled guest lecturer and was honored with the 2005 Book Festival for Young People Award in the Non-fiction category by The Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand.
Ms. Chinarat Nakhasathien
CHAIRPERSON
Kids Ark Board – 2005
Ms. Chinarat Nakhasathien, Fon, was elected as Chairperson of the Board of Kids Ark Foundation in 2013. Born in Bangkok she holds a BA degree in Hotel and Tourism Management from Bangkok University and worked in the hotel business in Thailand and the Cayman Islands for six years. She holds a Master of Counseling Psychology. Fon has been a member of the Kids Ark Board since 2005.
Mrs. Pronsarun Multi
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board – 2012
Mrs. Pornsarun Multi graduated with a master’s degree in Educational Administration. She used to serve as the director of Ban Hauy Poo School under the Office of Basic Education, Ministry of Education and worked with Kids Ark Foundation since 2012. Kids Ark Foundation has helped to promote and develop the quality of education of Ban Hauy Poo School so students have a better quality of life. She is now a pensioner.
Ms. Supajee Nilubol
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board – 2007
Khun Supajee Nilubol is the Honorary Consul of Sweden in the North of Thailand. She serves as the advisor to the Ministry of Natural Resources and the National Legislature’s Commissioner for Energy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand. She studied finance at Harvard University’s School of Business in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and engineering at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. She has been a board member since 2007.
Mr. Suthee Chivaphongse
Member
Kids Ark Board
Suthee Chivaphongse is a qualified Certified Chartered Accountant from the UK and a member of the Thai Institute of Directors. He lived and worked in the UK for over 10 years before returning home to Thailand. His role as a senior management in the global manufacturing and oil & gas industry provides him opportunities to travel to many countries around the world. Traveling abroad allows him to see the differences in the culture, standard of living and education between Thailand and those countries. With the aim to close these gaps, he, therefore, decided to join Kids Arks in 2017 as a volunteer.
Mr. Viroj Lerdrash
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board
Mr. Viroj Lerdrash is a graduate of the Executive Master of Business Administration Program of the National Institute of Development Administration and presently the Managing Director and CEO of Unitrade House Ware Co., Ltd. He has also worked as the Key Account Manager with Hansa Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and was formerly President NL Stationery & Export Co., Ltd
Ms. Marisa Punnakitti
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board
Marisa is a certified professional in Program Management. She has over 6 years of consultancy and professional experiences across Australia, China, Germany and Southeast Asia. With a background in business consulting, she has worked extensively in a diverse range of business strategy, transformation and program management. Marisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Mannheim in Germany and Mahidol University International College.
She has a global interest with a local lens. When not advising corporations, you can find Marisa busy doing voluntary work and traveling around. She has a long association with non-profit organizations and humanitarian work. Prior to joining Kid Ark Foundation Board of Directors, she served as an Amnesty International Human Rights Activist, was nominated as AIESEC Vice President of External Relations, was elected as MUIC Alumni Association Board Member and volunteered with UN Women to arrange the biggest fundraising event – Gala Dinner. The previous gala benefit raised funds to support the critical work of UN Women in stopping oppression and violence towards women. She is most passionate about Gender Equality, Women Rights, Education and Economic Growth.
Mrs. Kanya Somboon
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board
Mrs. Kanya Somboon (PhD.) has been the Director of Ban WanaLuang School and Director of the Pangmaphapittayasan School, both in Mae Hong Son Province. In 2021, Dr. Somboon became Director of the Hong Son Suksa School in the city of Mae Hong Son. She serves on the Board of Directors of Child-Friendly Schools, a UNICEF initiative. Dr. Somboon works with the Pestalozzi Children’s Foundation on management and leadership challenges for their multicultural, multi-religious projects in different countries around the world. She is chairman of the Secondary School Administrator Association of Mae Hong Son, Thailand. She received the Great Teacher Award in 2015 and the Doing Good for Society and Educational Development Award in 2019.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
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Address: 52/20 Singharat Road, Sriphum,
Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
Phone: 053-416077, +66 53-416077
Email: contact@kidsarkfoundation.org
