Asha Foundation For Humanity is a registered charity in Australia that brings hope and inspiration to underserved communities. We build engaging learning environments, sponsor educational programs, and support the health and well-being of children and their caretakers.
With more than a decade of success partnering with NGO’s to design high-impact, sustainable programs, we have a proven track record of converting donations into fast, tangible outcomes. We work directly with community members to identify their specific needs and concerns, and we have the utmost respect for their unique cultures, beliefs and traditions. As a foundation, we are dedicated to giving compassionate support, elevating people’s quality of life in lasting ways, and practicing true human kindness in action.
As a foundation, we are dedicated to giving compassionate support, elevating people’s quality of life in lasting ways, and practicing true human kindness in action.
THE JOY OF NOT RETIRING | Where Chaos Meets Purpose In Our Village Classroom
Five years ago, the pandemic stranded me in a small Thai village where I met Mai Wilachai - a woman gathering children under a mango tree with nothing but well-worn journals, a handful of colored pencils, and a love so strong it pulled those kids to her like a magnet. Some came wide-eyed and glowing with a light only children have - others arrived already carrying wounds from lives harder than any child should know. But Mai saw them all the same - speaking to their potential rather than their circumstances. That's when I understood what real teaching looks like - not resources or systems, but one heart refusing to let go. I remember standing there, watching her, and realizing retirement isn’t going to happen. Not like this.
Fast forward to today - over 70 kids pour into our Ban Kang Culture Center every Saturday and Sunday. What began as a simple Sala Thai pavilion, built with the help of Maurie, Vivien, and the ASHA Foundation, has transformed into a safe place for Isaan culture and learning. Kids weave between small clusters sitting cross-legged on the floor, coloring pens in hand as they draw the familiar - a swaying coconut tree, their family’s bamboo field, the neighbor’s buffalo. Others stand tall practicing Muay Thai stances, while nearby giggling groups sound out English words together. You can see the future leaders emerging - the ones who quietly pass out fresh paper to the little ones, who demonstrate traditional Isaan dance hand gestures for shy classmates.
But the truest moment comes at arrival - small hands press together in prayer-like wais as they greet me, their eyes bright with a joy that goes beyond language. Many come from homes where life is unforgiving, yet here, in this space we’ve built together, they relax. There’s no need for perfect words - just the exchange of smiles, the shared understanding that this place matters.
It’s chaotic. It’s overwhelming. It’s glorious.
These kids don’t know about politics or missiles or the weight of the world. They know monsoon rains, buffalo herds, and the scent of jasmine rice cooking over a fire. They sleep on floors, celebrate Buddhist festivals, and measure time by planting seasons.
It’s not easy. Feeding this many kids, keeping the lights on, finding supplies - it’s all held together by goodwill and the kindness of people who believed in this place before it even had walls. ASHA’s support has been the backbone of it all. And Mai Wilachai, still here, still teaching, still refusing to let these children be forgotten.
A monk once told me, "You don’t get to choose the life you’re given, only what you do with the days you have."
These days, I understand that better. Even on the hard mornings, even when the loneliness feels heavy, even when the heat makes everything feel impossible. Because this work, this messy, beautiful, exhausting work, is the best thing I’ve ever been part of.
ASHA Foundation for Humanity
ASHA Celebrates Four Years of Partnership with Ban Kang Culture Center
When ‘ASHA Foundation For Humanity’ founders Maurie and Vivien Stang arrived at the ‘Ban Kang Culture Center’ (BKCC), they were met with a breathtaking sight - children adorned in vibrant Isaan silk, performing a traditional dance of welcome. Every movement told a story, every smile reflected the deep pride of a culture lovingly preserved.
For ASHA, this moment was more than just a warm reception - it was a testament to - four years of growth, trust, and shared purpose. What began as a small initiative has blossomed into a thriving community space where children learn, create, and dream.
After the dance, Maurie and Vivien distributed ASHA-branded gift bags filled with school supplies, art materials, and small toys. The children’s wide-eyed excitement was a reminder of how even the simplest gifts - given with love - can spark joy and hope.
Isaan, Thailand’s northeastern region, is a place of resilience, where life moves to the rhythm of rice fields and monsoon rains. Yet, like many rural communities, its people face challenges - limited access to education, economic opportunities, and resources.
That’s why BKCC, founded by the incredible Mai Wilachai, has been such a vital partner. What started as a grassroots effort to teach introductory English and preserve Isaan traditions has grown into a safe haven for learning and empowerment.
Most importantly, meals are provided, ensuring that no child learns on an empty stomach.
The Ripple Effect of Empowerment
The true measure of this partnership? Seeing older students - once shy and uncertain - now mentoring younger children with confidence. What began with a simple vision has become a cycle of growth, proving that change starts with community, dedication, and belief in the next generation.
To the people of Isaan - your strength and culture inspire us. To Mai and the BKCC team - thank you for your tireless work. And to everyone who supports ASHA - this is what your generosity makes possible.
#AshaFoundationForHumanity
#BanKangCultureCenter
FROM AUSTRALIA TO THAILAND | The Gift of Reading
We believe in the power of small acts to create big change - and today, we’re thrilled to share the impact of one such act. We recently delivered a special shipment of books and stickers to the “Ban Kang Culture Center” in northeastern Thailand, a place where education and hope go hand in hand.
For the children of Ban Kang, where even a steady meal isn’t always guaranteed, a box of books is more than just paper and ink - it’s a reminder that they are seen, valued, and connected to a world beyond their village.
When the children opened the box and saw the colorful covers of “Dr. Seuss” and other stories, their faces lit up with wonder. Some traced the English words with their fingers, sounding them out slowly. Others gathered in small groups, pointing at illustrations of creatures and places they’d never imagined. In that moment, their world grew a little bigger.
This is the heart of what we do - not just giving resources, but expanding horizons. For children with limited access to books or technology, these stories are more than entertainment; they’re invitations to dream, learn, and believe in possibilities.
The “Ban Kang Culture Center”, now in its fourth year, provides English lessons, traditional dance and art classes, and nourishing meals to children in the community. In an era where fleeting digital content often overshadows deep learning, physical books offer something priceless - the chance to slow down, explore, and imagine.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of local heroes like Mai Wilachai, who teaches and cooks tirelessly for these children, or without the compassion of supporters like Vivien Stand who helped make this donation possible. It’s a beautiful chain of kindness -one that feeds both minds and hearts.
Thank you for the great book.🙏😊
We are thank you for the nice book for our kids 🙏😇
ขอบคุณค่ะสำหรับหนังสือดีดีค่ะ
ขอบคุณหนังสือดีๆที่ส่งมาให้พวกหนูค่ะ🙏🏻❤️