The year 2024 marked another chapter of the Matilda Foundation’s steadfast commitment to its mission of “Creating Opportunities and Inspiring Change.” We remained dedicated to empowering Thais to develop themselves and transcend limitations to achieve growth through our two flagship initiatives: the Break Your Boundary (BYB) student loan programme and support for Huay Paan Learning Centre in Nan province. Both projects continued to help realise dreams and deliver meaningful outcomes for new generations.
This year, the BYB programme served not only as a bridge to education overseas, but also as a catalyst for participants to discover new potentials within themselves. They shared inspiring stories of perseverance and success, motivating others to strive toward their own aspirations. In 2024, the Foundation also expanded its involvement in broader social issues, advocating for systemic support to unlock the potential of individuals across various professions and reinforcing its commitment to the resilience of communities such as Baan Huay Paan, which faced significant challenges this year.
Whether by elevating educational opportunities, inspiring through journey narratives, or fortifying community foundations, the Matilda Foundation deeply appreciates the unwavering support that has propelled us forward this year. We remain resolute in carrying our mission into 2025, reaching ever greater heights together.
The Growth and Achievements of Break Your Boundary
The Matilda Foundation proudly selected its 2024 BYB recipient, building on three years of success since the initiative’s inception. This year’s recipient, Mark Nitikulthananon, is pursuing Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program and a Master of Science in Dental Sciences at the University of Rochester Medical Center in the United States. Moreover, 2024 witnessed a notable rise in applicants from diverse fields such as health sciences, dentistry, arts, psychology and therapy, language, and private consulting. This trend underscored the programe’s growing accessibility and appeal to those seeking to fulfill their dream of studying abroad.
Continuing participants are also making steady progress. Among them areKla (Jaturaporn Nusati), studying Business Management in France;Waew (Nathawara Thepkesorn), studying Visual Effects in Canada; andNutto (Supat Kanchat),pursuing International Trade in the United States. Their educational and life experiences shared via Foundation channels – letters, blogs, and interviews – serve both as cherished memories and as sources of inspiration for prospective applicants to the BYB programe and anyone pursuing international education dreams.Broadening the Scope of Social Issues
Beyond its core initiatives, 2024 was a year of looking outward and observing the world. Events like the Paris Olympic Games provided a unique opportunity to examine how athletes from various countries benefit from differing levels of support from their governments and private sectors. It highlighted how robust structural support enables individuals – not only athletes – to train and perform without concern for their livelihoods or future after retirement, demonstrating the importance of comprehensive backing for dreamers across all fields. In this connection, the Matilda foundation remains hopeful that BYB’s role in supporting Thais to reach their full potential will continue to inspire more people to pursue their aspirations.
Updates from Baan Huay Paan
This year presented significant challenges for Baan Huay Paan, the home of the community’s learning centre supported by the Matilda Foundation. This year, a major flood affected several northern provinces, including Nan, where Baan Huay Paan is located. Nevertheless, the community showed remarkable resilience, recovering from this crisis much as they had endured past challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We are delighted to report that Baan Huay Paan is once again open to visitors, offering cultural activities and the chance to immerse in nature. We invite all those interested in eco-tourism to experience the beauty of Baan Huay Paan and support this remarkable community. (Facebook page: ตี้นี่ ห้วยพ่าน )
In summary, 2024 was a year of advancing the Matilda Foundation’s mission to help people overcome obstacles and reach their goals – whether through BYB, inspiring others, or sparking discussions on relevant social issues.
The next step for the foundation is to build on the lessons and growth of 2024, striving for even greater achievements in 2025. Together, let us soar to new heights!
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