“CHILDREN ARE OUR MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE”
– John F. Kennedy
ARK INTERNATIONAL is a ministry dedicated to transforming the lives of children and youth through education, training, networking, and strategic development. We are located in some of the hardest neighborhoods in Bangkok and Southeast Asia where drugs, transience, poverty, migrancy, and desperation live. Many children are forgotten, neglected, and abused. Generations of poverty restrict opportunities for children and youth therefore, creating cycles of continued disadvantage.
We believe that children are the gateway to the future and deserve to be given the opportunity to be our next generation of leaders. This should be equitable for ALL youth.
Every child deserves a chance
and our team is dedicated to creating sustainable and effective change in the lives of children and youth.
ARK International was founded in Perth, Australia in 2004 in response to the colossal need for dedicated and compassionate workers to combat and advocate for children at risk worldwide.
In 2006, a tiny operating location in Bangkok was established. The small team would visit many underprivileged communities learning and engaging in relational development with a focus on bettering the lives of children and youth. Out of this grew our mentoring and sport programs, educational development, furthering specialized opportunities, and healthcare initiatives. A holistic approach is applied in all of our programs with an emphasis on nutrition, practical learning, FUN, safety, support, and belonging so that children and youth can succeed.
In 2013, ARK International was registered as a legal Thai foundation under the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
In 2016, Ark International went through a time of restructuring and reformatting the ministry to enhance collaboration with project partners. Project partnerships are seen as multilateral alliances where together, we can accomplish more. This allows ARK International the opportunity to specialize in the areas of education, sponsorship and mentorship which are the main focus of this ministry to date.
Our mission is to impact the lives of underprivileged youth through intentional encouragement and mentorship in order to positively influence and better their future.
We desire to go beyond the status quo standards in relation to what we demand of ourselves, the operation of our programs, and our communication.
We are committed to working together with communities, government agencies, churches, and other organizations and foundations to advocate for both children and their families. By working with an extended network, we are able to share resources and create a stronger, united force to impact the lives of children
We understand that resources have been entrusted to us to carry out the work we do at the highest of standards and we are fully committed to accountability and professionalism in all our programs and throughout the Foundation. We regularly review our programs and continually seek to improve them. As individual donors, civic groups, organizations and corporations put their trust in us, we recognize we have a strong responsibility both to them and to the people they desire to help.
We desire to see families empowered to activate change and responsibility. We commit to a holistic approach, involving parents in every necessary decision for their family.
We provide training that is versatile and flexible in various nations with a commitment to equip workers and locals in specific areas of need as well as providing tangible educational opportunities for children/youth themselves
ARK International is founded on biblically based principles and we will uphold our Christian identity while remaining sensitive to the beliefs and backgrounds of those we collaborate with.
ARK International is a legally registered foundation under The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security in Thailand and is an associate ministry of YWAM Thailand and Australian Mercy.
