MAP Foundation

Volunteer Opportunities: Yes

History

In 2002 MAP became a registered Thai foundation, taking the Thai name: "Foundation for the Health and Knowledge of Ethnic Labour" but maintaining the English acronym name MAP which had already become familiar with migrant communities. At the end of 2004, after the tsunami hit Southern Thailand, three NGOs working with migrants from Burma, including MAP Foundation, joined together and formed TAG (Tsunami Action Group) to respond to the needs of the migrant community in Phang-Nga province. The TAG Project worked together with the local migrant volunteers and focused its work on two main activities: providing emergency relief and legal aid. MAP then had an office based in the south for nearly five years (2004-09), running activities with five staff members for four of its projects: workplace justice, women's exchange, community health and education and community radio. In 2008- 2009, before MAP closed its office in the south, we set up two community resources centers in Takuatung District and Tai Muang District in Phang Nga Province. Each of the center has 100 to 200 members who pay monthly member's fees. The centers are a space for migrants to come and get information, meet with their friends, read books, watch television, listen to the news on the internet and share their experiences with each other. MAP continues to support these two centers as part of the Labour Rights for All Programme.

Mission

To promote labor rights, women rights and access to essential services including health and education