Help Restore Tribal Children’s Hostel After Flood

The Tribal Children's Hostel in Chiang Mai, Thailand, experienced heavy flooding on October 5 as the result of record rainfall north of the city. The Ping River, which flows through Chiang Mai, reached a record high of 5.3 meters.

Despite efforts to sandbag vulnerable entrances to the property (which had protected the property during prior floods), the floodwater current was so strong that several of the concrete perimeter walls collapsed, sending waist-high water throughout the property. Several vehicles and motorbikes were damaged beyond repair, and the living quarters of hostel founders and staff was rendered uninhabitable. The property's water system was also severely damaged, in addition to numerous electrical components and appliances.

Fortunately, no children were present at the time of the flood, but massive amounts of cleaning, renovation and repairs must be completed before it is safe for them to return.

The goal of this fundraiser is threefold:

1. To assist with immediate needs of the hostel founders and staff who are displaced from their homes and suffered severe loss of their personal belongings.

2. To facilitate repairs to critical systems (water, electrical, living spaces) and replacement of destroyed vehicles, furniture, etc.

3. To design and implement flood-friendly infrastructure to prevent damage during future flooding events.

The Tribal Children's Hostel is a 501c3 organization in its 49th year and it is supported largely by individuals in the United States. The hostel can house up to 60 children from rural villages while they attend school in the city.