One by One

In Thailand, the image of a bird released from a cage and flying away is considered a symbol of “merit making,” or granting freedom.

This image was the inspiration for a new program that supports childhood literacy.

Amway Thailand has been a longtime supporter of programs increase reading in children, from providing scholarships, to creating books for the visually impaired, to building school libraries in remote areas of the country where literacy levels are lowest.

In fact, the Amway for Thai Society Foundation learned that, on average, Thai children only read two books per year. The cause stems from a lack of available books.

A new initiative called The Flying Book hopes to elevate the issue, and get people involved in selecting the best books and “flying” them to children.

Through an iPhone application, website and Facebook page, anyone can vote on their favorite books.

Then, using the world’s first augmented reality and location-based book donation platform, they can follow their book in real time as it travels to the remote areas of Thailand.

Visit http://www.flyingbook.org/ or visit the Facebook page or download the app to take part in the journey.

Thanks to Laksana Jenananporn for sharing this story.

Flood waters are now covering two thirds of Thailand. Although seasonal, this year’s floods are the worst in more than 50 years, claiming 280 lives so far. The Prime Minister said that many provinces may be submerged for the next two months.

The brunt of the impact seems to be in Ayutthaya, just north of Bangkok. The high risk period for Bangkok, home of Amway Thailand headquarters, will be over the next week.

According to news reports, many residents are stocking up on essentials and clearing supermarket shelves. However, the government is not declaring a state of emergency yet and major arteries in Bangkok are still open.

Amway Thailand Country Manager Kittawat Ritteerawee reports that most Amway shops are located on high ground and will open back up in a few days, except for the shop in Ayuthatya where the flooding is the worst.

Last week, the Amway Thailand team went to Ayuthaya and donated 1,000 bags of Amway rice to the mayor. They also plan to donate 1 million baht and help to raise funds for additional support.

Our thoughts and best wishes are with our friends as we wait for the land to dry once again.

The song says that when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you. But would the world smile with those who were born with cleft lips and palates?

For children with facial deformities, smiling can be impossible to do, both physically and emotionally. They often become outcasts because of the way they look.

Every year, one in every 600 children is born with facial deformities which can be corrected with a simple and inexpensive surgery.

Operation Smile works with local doctors and contributors to provide free reconstructive facial surgeries. Amway has found a great partner in Operation Smile over the years. We’ve supported missions in Thailand, China, South Africa and Vietnam over the years

The Amway for Thai Society Foundation has organized 13 missions that treated nearly 1,500 children. Amway Vietnam has organized 5 missions and treated more than 500 children. Amway China helped develop media advertising to promote Operation Smile missions and Amway South Africa provides oral care products along with monetary support.

And what would a One by One project be without employees and distributors volunteering their time to help. Whether they are organizing, helping to ease anxious and nervous parents, or playing with the children before the surgery, they do their best to  bring smiles back to their beautiful faces … so the world will smile with them too.

Amway Thailand Operation Smile Mission:

Amway Vietnam Operation Smile Mission:

Thanks to Sri Soekarmoen for contributing to this story.