About FORDEC

    In mid-1997 Thailand experienced an economic fallout. Millions of workers lost their jobs and had to return to their hometowns, where there was no work. Dr. Amporn felt he had to put off retirement and return to his life of helping others. So he turned to his friends and some same minded individuals to form a new organization with initial support from his own retirement income. They called it the FOUNDATION FOR REHABILITATION & DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY, hence, FORDEC. The foundation was formed on Saturday, February 14, 1998, St. Valentine's Day to realize and extend Love symbolized by St. Valentine and transformed into action to bring about the material and spiritual needs to all distressed to uplift their living conditions in human dignity. The word "Dec" in Thai means "child". So "FORDEC" means "For the sake of a child!"
The Foundation has taken the motto: "One's love and concern; for all distressed". This includes children, youth, families, the aged, handicapped, homeless, wanderers, drug addicts, the abused; in other words, all those in distress.

1.1 About the Founder
    It is a long traditional Thai belief that children are the country's most precious assets. Dr. Amporn Wathanavongs was born a Thai child, but he lacked the advantages of that Thai belief. He was born in a remote area, homeless, not knowing his parents and without "love". So he began life without hope. But somehow he made his own life, educated himself, became a Buddhist monk, then a Christian, and eventually devoted most of his life to help others-not to have to suffer the plight he had. For this he was decorated by the Royal palace and awarded an honorary doctorate by a university in the United States. He has worked for children and their families in an international child welfare organization for almost 25 years. He experienced and worked day-to-day with them and their problems. He helped thousands of children and their families. By 1997 he was preparing to retire, rest and spend time with his family and grandchildren. During his long career of helping others, he has been given the name, "FOSTER FATHER OF NEEDY CHILDREN".


1.2 Rationale
    In real life who would believe that an orphan without relative or friend, having only the street for a home and the open-market for a place to stay, eating left-over for food, with no opportunity for education and no hope for the future…would grow up to be a credit to society. He was already 17 years olds when he started to read and write the alphabet on his own. He decided to devote his life to other, so that they would not have to uffer the plight he had. After a lifetime with his motivation, he was recognized and decorated by the Royal palace and awarded an honorary doctorate by a university in the United States. Although after his retirement…he gets the welfare and retirement fund like one American for all his life, he still thinks of the sufferings of the poor children.

    His Name…Dr. Amporn Wathanavongs is the person who experienced this life…and has been given the little of “The father who gives new life to poor children”. When Thailand experienced a severe downturn in 1997, causing many economic, societal and family problems, including joblessness in the industrial sector, which had a great impact on families, their work, and especially children. Millions of people were left without work; thousands of families had return to their home village to make a living. This especially affected the children who are the basis of the future of the country.
    Right in the center of all this stood Dr. Amporn W. who decided to do what he could by establishing a Foundation for Rehabilitation & development of children and family (FORDEC), using his own retirement funds. He announced this on Valentine’s Day, Feb 1998. As is well known, St. Valentine is the “patron of love” It was to be a sign of love for all in distress whether in body, mind or spirit without regard to race, color or religion under the motto: One’s love and concern to all distressed”.


The Foundation was officially registered on the 16th of August 1998. (Registration No. 752)

1.3 Objectives

    1. To help rehabilitate children and youth who are poor, orphaned, handicapped, wandering, homeless, drug addicts, HIV/AIDS by providing them with opportunities for physical and intellectual growth, to uplift their living conditions regardless of race and religion.


    2. To promote cultural and moral values, good habits and spiritual values among children and youth so that they will become future productive citizens.

    3. To help develop families to have good health, decent housing and occupational assistance to increase family income for the attainment of their better living conditions.

    4. To work and cooperate with other similar agencies for public interest.
bout FORDEC