Join us on a Mission to Fight Poverty​

Volunteer with OpenmindProjects, a nonprofit grassroots organization empowering impoverished youth and their parents in Southeast Asia.

OpenmindProjects is a nonprofit charity founded in Thailand in 2002. We started with IT learning for the underprivileged in 2001 and have since expanded to help disadvantaged people throughout Southeast Asia. We are supported by a local and global network of staff, trainees, volunteers, friends, and alumni. Our focus is on helping poor children through schools, camps, and a Training Center. The Covid pandemic disrupted our work, leading us to launch online training programs. We are now working to restart our pre-Covid projects and welcome volunteers. As a nonprofit charity, we rely on donations to continue our mission.

Our DNA

Vision

We envision a future of equal opportunities in which young people, no matter their backgrounds, have hope, inspiration and confidence to realize their dreams.

Mission

Our mission is to empower disadvantaged youth in rural Southeast Asia through active learning, bridging the digital and educational divide, and fostering confidence for a brighter future.

Founders

Sven Mauleon and Gaweechat Joompaula

East meets West!

About our founders Sven Mauleon and Gaweechat Joompaula. Sven, from Sweden, and Gaweechat, from Thailand, once set out to find how to use IT to help poor kids.

We wanted to bridge knowledge divides using IT and the internet and included English learning. Since then we have bridged knowledge and culture divides together with volunteers and local people, old and young.

Read About:  Sven in leading Swedish newspaper, Goteborgs Posten.

Gaweechat: ‘I grew up without electricity but got a chance to learn to use computers and believe in learning by doing.

Our Team

Gorawan Joompaula
Gorawan Joompaula
Thailand
🇹🇭
coordinator, volunteer contact , Administrative officer
Admin & Schools Coordinator
Pharinya (James) Auttho
Thailand, Laos
🇹🇭, 🇱🇦
coordinator, volunteer contact
A dedicated and inspiring individual with a strong connection to OpenmindProjects. As a successful alumnus of his programs, he embodies the organization's mission of empowering disadvantaged youth. Watch his video "How Openmind Projects helped me pursue my dreams," a compelling story of growth and achievement facilitated by the foundation.

Watch a video How OpenmindProjects helped me pursue my dreams
Mui - OpenmindProjects
Dr. Thitichaya Boonsom (Mui)
Thailand
🇹🇭
Projects Director, volunteer contact
As OpenmindProjects' South Thailand Project Manager, Thitichaya is a key driver of positive change in the region. Her expertise and passion for community development ensure our projects are impactful and sustainable. With strong ties to the region, she leads our efforts to empower local communities and create a lasting positive impact.
Jim Brown
Dr. Jim Brown
United States of America
🇺🇸
advisory, volunteer contact
Jim Brown is a dedicated volunteer trainer and contact at OpenmindProjects. He brings a wealth of experience and passion to our mission of empowering disadvantaged youth in Southeast Asia. With his expertise in languages, European history, and cross-cultural understanding, Jim plays a crucial role in providing high-quality training and support to our students and volunteers. His commitment to our cause is invaluable, and we are grateful for his contributions to our ongoing efforts.
Sven Mauleon
Sven Mauleon
Thailand, Sweden
🇹🇭, 🇸🇪
advisory, Co-funder
Sven Mauleon is a Swedish management consultant and the co-founder of OpenmindProjects. With a background in international development and a passion for leveraging technology for social good, Sven was inspired to create opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Southeast Asia.   In 2001, he teamed up with Gaweechat Joompaula to establish OpenmindProjects in Nong Khai, Thailand. Sven's vision was to bridge the digital divide and empower young people through access to computer education and skills training.   Sven's expertise in management and his understanding of cross-cultural collaboration have been invaluable to the growth and success of OpenmindProjects. He believes in fostering local leadership and empowering communities to create sustainable solutions.   Though he now resides in Sweden, Sven remains actively involved in OpenmindProjects and continues to support their mission of providing educational opportunities and fostering social change in Southeast Asia.
Gaweechat Joompaula
Gaweechat Joompaula
Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, Laos
🇹🇭, 🇰🇭, 🇳🇵, 🇱🇦
Co-funder, Projects Director
Gaweechat Joompaula is a self-taught computer expert and dedicated social entrepreneur who co-founded OpenmindProjects in 2001. Originally from a rice farming family in Thailand, Gaweechat was driven to use technology to empower disadvantaged youth in his community. He began by teaching orphans computer skills and built the organization's first website.   Over the years, Gaweechat has played a crucial role in expanding OpenmindProjects' reach across Southeast Asia. He is passionate about providing educational opportunities and believes in a "Learning by Doing" approach that makes technology accessible to all. Gaweechat's leadership and commitment have been instrumental in OpenmindProjects' success in bridging educational and employment gaps for countless young people. He continues to inspire others with his dedication to social change and his belief in the power of technology to transform lives.