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Voices Foundation

The issue

Statelessness: invisible by law.

A stateless person is someone “not considered as a national by any State under the operation of its law.” Without that recognition, almost everything else in life becomes harder to reach.

Illustrated map locating Umphang in Tak province, northern Thailand
“not considered as a national by any State under operation of its law.”
UNHCR · Article 1, 1954 Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons

Statelessness is a complex issue, wrapped up in nationalism, pride and the human tendency to see kinship and nation as “us” and “them.”

In Thailand’s border provinces — among hill tribes, long-settled communities and migrant families — children are born and grow up without papers. Their rights to basic needs, primary care, education and work are limited, if they exist at all.

That is what makes them easy targets for rape, human trafficking, child abuse and labour abuse — and why we pair direct care with education, livelihoods and legal support toward citizenship.

The issue

How we respond

  • 01

    Care

    Essentials for mothers and newborns; time and presence for children in shelters.

  • 02

    Education

    Tuition and learning support so children stay in school.

  • 03

    Livelihood

    Rice, livestock, solar power and vocational training that fund shelters from within.

  • 04

    Identity

    A residential paralegal working case by case toward citizenship.

Lend your voice.

Give, volunteer, or bring your organisation alongside ours. Every kit, every term of school, every citizenship case starts with someone saying yes.