OUR PLATFORM AND PROJECTS - PUN

Streetchildtalks is an award-winning platform (finalist at "HackBKK: Hack from Anywhere," supervised by Chadchart Sittipunt) that lets us hear words directly from actual street children. Children can report problems, which are researched and broadcast on the website. The organization works with Kru Jiew and Kru Simp, two local teachers who aim to bridge the gap between street children and society. We have also opened channels for other project owners to work with us in the "Success Stories" section, where we have received collaborations from over 15 project creators. This includes seeking new sites and locations for food donations. 

Other sessions we hosted included sessions to inspire kids to go to school. During one activity, we provided children with general knowledge of the basics of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) through hands-on work. For example, students explored the reactivity between Mentos and Coke and the root cause of the occurrence while being able to test and investigate the reaction to practice collecting qualitative data. In addition to our platform and on-site activities, our team members participated in an on-site investigation, allowing us to do fieldwork and investigate "the real" life of children and their families. 

During this project, I discovered that these children have the potential to achieve more, but they lack opportunities, and society often perceives them as a separate group. I recognized these problems during my on-site investigation under the Ramkamhaeng Railway bridge, where there are small slum communities. Through our site investigations in slums and underways, we've uncovered the challenges that underprivileged children face in accessing education due to financial constraints. 

Working on this project has significantly enhanced my awareness of educational inequality and the lack of opportunities for these street children, who often lack recognition in our community. I have also developed my skills in activity and service. The service component is essential in each event, as dedication is required to complete the project. Furthermore, I have improved my teamwork skills. To ensure the success of this project, I have collaborated with other international school students, and delegating tasks to the right individuals has significantly improved our work productivity.

PROJECT FUNDING - MEI

Streetchildtalks aims to tackle the needs of street children in Bangkok. After researching their needs, I identified the lack of educational resources as a critical issue. My goal was to raise funds for educational supplies and school equipment and raise awareness about their struggles. While Streetchildtalks held a weighty purpose, I wanted to incorporate my interests with my desire to make a difference in my community. This led me to collaborate with local ice cream brands to create our ice cream flavors and raise a total of ฿36,000 by selling 300 cups. 

I approached local ice cream brands with the idea of a collaboration to create a unique "Streetchildstalk" flavor. The journey was filled with challenges, including navigating production costs, communicating with the shop, and negotiating to make 300 ice cream units in two unique flavors to support our cause. Adapting and persevering through weeks of hurdles, we finally found a shop willing to work with us after numerous attempts. 

The next step was selling the ice cream. Utilizing our creativity, we designed eye-catching posters, customized ice cream cups, and engaging graphics for Instagram to promote and launch our product. However, the process sometimes unfolded less smoothly than planned. While initial sales took off, we observed a decline towards the end, leaving us unsold inventory. We then put more effort into promoting our product on social media, but more importantly, we realized the power of word of mouth and communication, which helped boost our sales. 

After all the ice cream sold out, we had to calculate the finances involved in the process, considering the costs involved in transportation and determining the optimal supply for children within our budget. This required collaboration skills, critical thinking, and practical application of mathematics, which was extremely challenging, but we overcame this through teamwork and perseverance. 

Reflecting on this CAS project, I have come to appreciate the significant role that creativity and collaboration play in achieving a common goal. Our unique ice cream flavor attracted attention and reminded us of our project's underlying purpose. Additionally, I learned the valuable lesson of adapting and persevering in the face of challenges. While reaching a wider audience proved difficult, I continued to explore new avenues to promote the project and its message. Despite all the challenges, I remained dedicated to exploring innovative approaches to promote the project and its meaningful message.