The Jan & Oscar Foundation has been supporting education in Thailand since 2005 with scholarships and school renovations. The Foundation created Ranong Recycle for Environment in 2019 supporting the Social Enterprise. Goals include supporting disadvantaged communities and individuals, including the Moken, in the development of waste management projects, as well as educating children about plastic pollution and environmental issues.
On December 26, 2004, a devastating tsunami hit Asia, causing the death of thousands of people. Amongst them were 12 year-old Jan and his 8 year-old brother Oscar who lost their life in Thailand. In the immediate aftermath of this tragic event, a humanitarian project is born in an outpouring of solidarity.
The Jan & Oscar Foundation was officially founded on June 29, 2005. Since its creation, the Foundation’s mission has been to support the schooling and education of underprivileged children living in Thailand. In 18 years: 12 schools have been built, 3,000 children have gained access to drinking water, and over 800 children have been able to attend school thanks to our scholarships.
For almost 15 years, the Jan & Oscar Foundation has been helping the Moken living on the island of Lao, by actively participating in the schooling of children. But with our project to fight against plastic pollution, “Moken, guardians of the sea”, our Foundation wished to go one step further. We have noticed that the first generation of school children has difficulties to continue their studies or to enter the labor world.
It is necessary to allow them to access a professional training that makes sense in their way of life, or to ensure them a complementary income if they wish to perpetuate the traditional activity of fisherman.
That’s why in 2019, we established the social enterprise Ranong Recycle for Environment (RRE) to collect ocean plastic waste in Ranong province for recycling.
