A Places of Belonging for Children in Bangkok’s Slum Communities

We visited the Japanese nonprofit organization, the Sikkha Asia Foundation, on December 22, 2025.

The foundation is located in the “Khlong Toei Slum”, known as the largest slum in Bangkok, and is about a 15-minute drive from central Bangkok. They are carrying out activities that are deeply rooted in the local community.

Through operating a mobile library, a local community library, and a community kitchen for children, they engage in “providing a place” where children feel a sense of belonging and can spend time with peace of mind.

They say that most of the children who live here were born and raised in this town, and their families have lived in the same area for generations.

Because the majority of local residents are from dual-income households, they have made this children’s community center an important place for children to stay after school while waiting for their parents to return home.

This area is not just a place to spend time, it is an essential place where local people can feel a sense of comfort through learning, spending time together, and connecting with others.

When we actually walked around the area, we found many gaps between the image associated with the word “slum” and the reality.

The area is well organized, with some roads having names and convenience stores. Moreover, there is even an area with a school that feels similar to central Bangkok.

We saw many places where people can having meals, and it was impressive to see that the daily lives and connections of the local community do indeed exist there.

Through this time’s visit, we were once again reminded of the importance of understanding the local situation accurately to be supportive without relying on superficial impressions or preconceived ideas. Going forward, we will remain attentive to local voices, seek ways to work together with community members, and aim to provide ongoing and sustainable support.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑More detail about “the Sikkha Asia Foundation”