Thailand Partner Spotlight- Dulabhatorn Foundation

-Partner Spotlight-
Dulabhatorn Foundation

มูลนิธิดุลภาทร

Empowering Lives Through Collaboration

Nestled in the heart of Chiang Mai, the Dulabhatorn Foundation is committed to supporting children with special needs through thoughtful and compassionate collaborations with BlueDot Partnerships and Therapy Abroad. By combining international expertise with deep local understanding, these partnerships have helped enhance the foundation’s services and strengthen the surrounding community.

Cross-Cultural Therapy Collaborations

One of the most inspiring initiatives is the cross-cultural therapy program, facilitated by BlueDot Partnerships. This collaboration welcomes visiting student clinicians from Therapy Abroad to work alongside dedicated local therapists, teachers, and rehabilitation specialists at the foundation. Through hands-on experience and professional exchange, student clinicians gain meaningful insights, while local professionals embrace new therapeutic techniques and perspectives. This shared learning enriches the care provided to children, ensuring a more holistic and well-rounded approach to their development.

A key contributor to this collaboration is Nok (Tanutchaporn Kawila), a compassionate occupational therapist who has been at the heart of the foundation’s efforts. With years of dedication to children with special needs, Kru Nok plays an essential role in therapy sessions, mentoring visiting students, and designing rehabilitation programs tailored to each child’s unique challenges. Her unwavering commitment to helping children grow and thrive is a testament to the foundation’s humble yet impactful mission.

Community Engagement Initiatives

Beyond therapy, these partnerships extend into community engagement, reinforcing the foundation’s mission of inclusivity and empowerment. Activities such as community visits and rehabilitation programs not only help improve children’s well-being but also foster stronger social connections and cultural understanding. By taking part in these initiatives, children gain confidence and develop the skills needed to navigate their world with greater independence.

A heartfelt example of this collaboration is a recent rehabilitation and development program organized in partnership with BlueDot Partnerships and Therapy Abroad. Held alongside the rehabilitation department of Sansai Hospital, this initiative provided various therapeutic activities designed to support children’s physical and cognitive abilities. The program not only offered valuable hands-on experience for visiting student clinicians but also fostered a meaningful exchange of knowledge between international and local professionals, strengthening the support available for the children.

About the Dulabhatorn Foundation

Founded in 2007 by Brian and Marianne Doberstyn in memory of their parents, Edward and Delphine Doberstyn, the Dulabhatorn Foundation is a humble, non-religious, non-political, and non-profit organization registered with the Thai Ministry of Interior. The foundation officially opened in 2009 under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who graciously named the foundation and designed its insignia.

The name Dulabhatorn is derived from three Pali-Sanskrit words: ดุลย (dul-la-ya) meaning balance, ภาพ (phap) meaning being, and อาทร (aa-torn) meaning care. Located in Sansai Luang, Chiang Mai, the foundation strives to provide educational support to children and youth with limited resources, particularly those with special needs. Impressively, 100% of private donations go directly toward supporting programs, as administrative costs are generously covered by a private donor.

Mission and Objectives

The foundation’s heartfelt mission is to expand access to quality education for disadvantaged children and youth in Northern Thailand. By reaching out to those who often “fall through the cracks,” the foundation hopes to break cycles of poverty and discrimination, unlock human potential, and equip communities with tools for sustainable development.

Key Focus Areas

Access to Education
Many children in Thailand face barriers to education due to financial hardships or family responsibilities. The foundation works to remove these obstacles by offering essential resources such as transportation and vocational skills training. These initiatives help ensure that children, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to learn and grow.

Support for Learning Disabilities
The foundation is deeply committed to supporting children with special needs, addressing the lack of services for those with learning disabilities in Northern Thailand. Through specialized programs and therapies—including physical therapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, and hippotherapy—developed in collaboration with the Pack Squadron, Veterinary & Remount Department, the foundation aims to help children reach their full potential. These services also provide pathways to adulthood and the workforce, fostering independence and self-sufficiency.

Early Childhood Education
Understanding the significance of a strong educational foundation, the foundation supports Montessori pre-schools and other early learning initiatives. These programs play a vital role in shaping a child’s future by nurturing cognitive, social, and emotional development from an early age.

Featured Products

In addition to its educational and therapeutic programs, the Dulabhatorn Foundation encourages self-sufficiency through various initiatives:

• Handmade Crafts – Beautifully crafted bracelets, earrings, toys, ornaments, snacks, and food items made by foundation members and their families.
• DBF Café – A welcoming space where visitors can enjoy drinks prepared by foundation members, creating opportunities for skill-building and community engagement.

Through its unwavering dedication to education, therapy, and community development, the Dulabhatorn Foundation continues to create a meaningful impact. By working alongside valued partners like BlueDot Partnerships and Therapy Abroad, the foundation remains committed to building a future where every child, regardless of their abilities or background, has the opportunity to thrive.

Keywords: Dulabhatorn Foundation, children with special needs, cross-cultural therapy program, student clinicians, local therapists, rehabilitation specialists, therapeutic techniques, holistic approach, community engagement, community visits, rehabilitation programs, social bonds, cultural understanding, rehabilitation and development program, therapeutic activities, physical and cognitive abilities, dynamic knowledge exchange, educational support, vocational skills training, learning disabilities, physical therapy, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, and hippotherapy, self-sufficiency, educational foundation, skill-building

 

Featured Links:

https://www.dulabhatornfoundation.com/

https://www.facebook.com/dulabhatornfoundation

Featured Pictures: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P0TwGuvh6UNvlc9uTcP7h1z-yCdAeF16/view?usp=sharing