History

Michael Naruenartwanich was visiting Phayao in 1996 when a teacher friend of his alerted him to the ugly reality of child trafficking. Michael was stunned to witness twelve young girls pack their belongings and head to Bangkok in a van to become sex workers. Like so many other girls in Northern Thailand, these girls had been sold by their parents for contractual labor and would most likely end up in Bangkok brothels. He followed the twelve girls all the way to Bangkok nine hours away, contacting authorities along the way. But the system is designed to trap girls inside, and Michael could not help any of the girls escape.

Michael was conflicted: "I couldn't do anything about it. I knew what would happen to these girls in the next few days. It's my country; these girls are Thai. They have a bright future, but not this way. The return rate is twenty five percent. Only twenty five percent of these girls will return home."

Michael founded Education for Life in 1997 knowing that education can be too expensive for poor families, leaving teenage girls without promising futures and vulnerable to prostitution. A successful businessman himself, Michael knew that education was key to prevention and a way to better employment. He began by giving scholarships to a number of girls. That program continued for the next decade, empowering and building healthy futures for more than 1,000 girls (and some boys, too) in Phayao by helping them pay for expenses necessary to attend school.

Staff
  P noo Michael Naruenartwanich is the founder and director of ELF. Michael received his bachelor's degree in Management from Chulalongkorn University and his master's in MIS from Ohio State University. An airline pilot for many years, Michael transitioned to the business world where he now owns and operates, among other companies, Beautyline, Co., Cirrus and Jardino's Restaurant in Bangkok
  Pranchalee  Suraphasert (Ton)received her master’s in Business Administration from United States. She is the committee of ELF. She has been working in Management and Marketing for 14 years in various business in USA and Thailand. She is working at Paul Mitchell Systems and ELF for 8 years. Ton loves to work with diversify people and travel around the world. She loves tasting new food and take photograph of beautiful nature. Ton has been travelling in many countries of her visions by her experiences, she would like to develop all matters with Thai sociality as well.
  Thanathip  Punyaniwatwong (Joy)received a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Rajabhat Institute Phranakorn University. She has many years’ experiences of secretary until now she has an opportunity to work for foundation. Joy loves children, she is very happy to help poor children to get better living.
She is now teaching Thai for foreigner students in a part-time and also English for Thai students.
  nong Nong Horphitchayapong can usually be found driving all around Phayao to go to schools to interview scholarship candidates and check up on the water filtration tanks. Nong received his degree in business from Ramkhamhang University. He has maintained the water project since he joined the foundation in March 2008. Nong lives with his beautiful wife and two young boys in Phayao. You can email him at phisit@elf-thai.com
  Constance Constance Dykhuizen and her husband Phillip moved to Thailand in September 2008 to help ELF fundraise and develop programs. Constance received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin as well as a master's in public affairs from the LBJ School at UT, Austin. Constance and Phillip are the only farangs working at ELF and so far the only ones living in Phayao. Their favorite things about Thailand are the green curry and driving around taking in the beautiful mountains and spectacular clouds. You can email her at constance@elf-thai.com