Every year Bangkok Patana recognises the achievements of students who bring about positive change through Community Engagement. By tackling global issues through partnerships with local organisations, our students make a real difference to the lives of others. This year’s awards were given to two inspirational recipients: For the Blind and Thirawat (Matthew) Thepsoparn (Building Blocks).
For the Blind received the Community Engagement Team Award 2024/25. Their work with the Bangkok School for the Blind combines fundraising, awareness campaigns and direct action to support visually impaired students. Over the past year, they organised four visits to the school, running tutoring and hands-on activities, as well as creating and donating resources such as five tactile life cycle models and a braille alphabet board. Funds were raised through creative initiatives, including handcrafted accessories made by blind students and braille cookies.
One team member explained: “We aid the education of the visually impaired by working with the Bangkok School for the Blind, so that students can grow and receive equal opportunities once they enter the workforce.” Another added, “The funds we raise will go to materials that are required to produce learning resources for the visually impaired and will also be donated to organisations associated with them.”
The Individual Community Engagement Award 2024/25 was awarded to Matthew Thirawat (Building Blocks) for his inspirational leadership and inclusive vision. Matthew has worked with community partners including Steps with Theera and The Village Education Centre, both of which support children and adults with special educational needs.
Sharing his personal motivation, Matthew said: “I myself have struggled with ADHD, and have seen how the access to opportunities I have been given has allowed me to succeed and thrive in life. I aim to tackle the stigma associated with neurodiversity, and would like to show the Bangok Patana community that a diagnosis is just a diagnosis, and that you should not let that define you.”
Last year, Matthew led a wide range of initiatives: starting a swimming programme with six neurodivergent children, supporting the Steps Halloween event, organising an inclusive concert, and inviting guest speakers to raise awareness about unconscious bias. He also gave a keynote speech at the 14th ServICE conference, inspiring over 200 people with his story and vision.
Reflecting on his work, Matthew explained: “The aims of my initiative are to create a more inclusive and welcoming society. I hope to foster a community that accepts all people and allows for meaningful relationships. This will help provide more access and integration for the neurodivergent community.”
Both For the Blind and Matthew embody the spirit of Community Engagement at Patana: combining compassion with action, and proving that students can be powerful changemakers in creating a more inclusive and equitable world.