History

Rain Tree Foundation + Thai Care e.V = Same Organization and Goals

1986

Ralf Oberg went to Thailand to become a volunteer

Ralf Oberg went to Thailand to become a volunteer. In Bangkok, he was working with an NGO in a project helping slum children for a period of 5 years.

1991

His first day-care centre in Northern Thailand opened

His first day-care centre in Northern Thailand opened in 1991. At the same time he founded his machinery business in Bangkok to support his family and some of the projects.

1992

The organization “Thai Care”, which was committed to help children in need

The organization “Thai Care”, which was committed to help children in need, was established. More projects like children homes, self-help projects, community development work and green energy projects came into existence.

1998

The Mae Na Chorn children’s home was extended...

The Mae Na Chorn children’s home was extended to the organizations first social enterprise program, the Hot Coffee bed & breakfast opened its gates.

2004

The children’s home in Mae Hae has been started to enable....

The children’s home in Mae Hae has been started to enable more children to attend school and being in a safe environment with future perspective.

2006

The give your glasses a new face...

Eye glass project started which is simply that friends collect unused second hand eyeglasses and hand carry them to Thailand. We distribute those glasses to our children projects where villagers come by and choose by themselves which are the right glasses for them.

2008

The hydraulic ram pumps have been successfully tested...

The hydraulic ram pumps have been successfully tested and implemented in the Mae Hae children’s home to supply water to the home.

2009

The former Thai Care program became the Rain Tree Foundation in Thailand...

The former Thai Care program became the Rain Tree Foundation in Thailand and continued as Thai Care e.V. in Germany with Anne Rieken as its president. The two organizations are still closely linked together and therefore share the same logo. Also in 2009 the foster children program came to live in Mae La Noi to help children and families in difficult situation but avoiding to move those children into a children’s home.

2009

The foster children program started...

The first foster children program started in Mae La Noi area which the intention to help children with intact and loving families but enable them to attend school. Basic needs are covered as well as small financial contributions and without taking the children out of their community.

2010

The BioSand Filter project started...

The BioSand Filter project started with the first workshop in collaboration of CAWST from Canada to bring clean and safe drinking water to people and families.

2011

A year later another social enterprise, Karen Coffee, started ...

A year later another social enterprise, Karen Coffee, started within the Mae Hae children’s home to extend and increase to reach more people. The Karen Coffee cooperative and social enterprise began to empower farmers with a fair, stable and reliable income for the hard work and dedication towards their coffee crops.

2012

The successful foster children program extended...

The successful foster children program extended to a new district in the Wat Chan area to reach more families and children in need.

2013

In Khun Yuam, a local children’s home, operated...

In Khun Yuam, a local children’s home, operated and funded by the villagers itself needed help and since the people willing to contribute and are dedicated, Rain Tree started to cover extra needs as well as support staff and food expenses.

2014

Handmade, recycled bags made out of used rubber inner tube were initiated...

Handmade, recycled bags made out of used rubber inner tube were initiated as another social enterprise project to help underprivileged women to earn a stable and fair income to support their families. Also in 2014, another children’s home opened its doors in Mae La Noi, where the foster children program was initiated.

2015

In Mae Hong Son, the first program for young adults and students...

In Mae Hong Son, the first program for young adults and students which attend university and/or vocational school has opened to ensure continuous support within a safe environment.

2016

The Rain Tree Foundation moved into its own office...

The Rain Tree Foundation moved into its own office and workshop building in Chiang Mai to being able to serve all demands from the several growing projects and programs.