OUR HISTORY

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 and daycare centers to promote early childhood education. Presently, the foundation operates three Houses of Hope and one daycare center. In combination with child sponsorships, the foundation serves almost 300 children.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kids Ark – 2017
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.
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.
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.
Benjaporn Phunsup (Ben)
TEACHER
Sansai House of Hope – 2022
Ben was a staff at 7-Eleven before joining the Sansai House of Hope. She Stopped work when she had her son and began working with the House of Hope Sansai in August 2022. She loves to be with children.
COOK & HOUSE MOTHER
Sansai House of Hope – 2010
Khajorn Baisukan is the cook at the Sansai House of Hope. Her food is much appreciated by all the children! She has two daughters and a grandson and she comes from Sansai Chiang Mai. She began working at House of Hope in 2010.
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.
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.
LEADER
Kids Ark Daycare Center
Patcharee Surinta leads the Daycare Center at Banhoymonngnai village and has more than 18 years experience working with children. She has worked as a teacher assistant in the Kids Ark-supported school Banhoymongnai school and as a teacher at daycare centers in villages throughout Mae Ai district. In her free time, she is studying Home Economics in Child and Family Development at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
LEADER & TEACHER
Robin’s House of Hope – 2021
Sew Boonla (Seew) is the leader of Robins House of Hope. She has 2 children; a boy and a girl. She likes helping the villagers so they will have a better quality of life. She and her husband help with various projects. She received an Award for her work for the rights of women and children in the Mae Ai district. She is also a board member and leader of the women’s group in the village. She joined Kids Ark in 2021. She now studies at the University at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya in ChiangMai.
ASSISTANT
Robin’s House of Hope – 2021
Nam graduated Secondary 3 before she began working with Robins House of Hope. She works in the village and in the rice field. She assists the leader with teaching the children and also helps to cook. She joined the program in 2021.
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.
FOUNDER & ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2000
ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2008
ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2021
ADVISORY BOARD
Kids Ark – 2021
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.
MANAGING DIRECTOR & TREASURER
Kids Ark – 2017
CHAIRPERSON
Kids Ark Board – 2005
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board – 2004
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board – 2007
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board – 2007
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board – 2012
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board
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.
MEMBER
Kids Ark Board
Address: 52/20 Singharat Road, Sriphum,
Muang, Chiang Mai, 50200 Thailand
Phone: 053-416077, +66 53-416077
Email: contact@kidsarkfoundation.org
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