Pattaya Patriots Khun Gio
I am using the term Patriot
for a series of articles to feature in the magazine. Firstly because I love the alliteration, and secondly because I wanted a word to describe some very special people who live amongst us here in Pattaya. Sometimes given a military connotation, the word patriot actually describes someone who deeply loves, supports and defends their country (or, for the purposes of this article, their city). They often demonstrate loyalty through service, sacrifice, or civic engagement. True patriotism goes beyond mere pride—it involves striving to make improvements for all, for freedom, and for progress. If you missed any of the earlier Pattaya Patriots articles you can still find them online at our website pattayatrader.com.
I have had the pleasure of meeting Khun Gio many times. We first wrote about him a few years ago in Pattaya Trader magazine, and I’ve always been impressed by the extraordinary work he and his team carry out. Originally a media journalist in Italy, Gio never planned to open a shelter for abused and deprived children in Thailand. Yet, as he recalls, “It all started from 1 kilo of rice.” After meeting Father Ray and helping with the annual rice collection, he began the journey that would eventually lead to the creation of Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation.
Founded in 2006, and after much hard work, officially recognized by the Thailand Ministry of Social Welfare as a non-profit, charity organization, Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation has operated as a foster home since early 2018. Local authorities refer children who in many cases have been the victims of sexual or physical abuse. Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation ensures they are fed, sheltered, protected and registered for school. For Gio, education lies at the core of the foundation’s mission. While rescue and shelter are the crucial first steps, he believes real change comes from equipping children with the tools to build their own future.
One shining example is Neung, a bright and determined young woman supported by the foundation from her school years through to university. She has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Policy and Development and was selected by Thammasat University to represent them at an international forum on the forced displacement of refugees in Kuala Lumpur. Neung is now pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Policy at Chiang Mai University. Today, she stands as both a credit to the foundation and an inspiring role model for the children who follow in her footsteps.
Beyond direct care, Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation also works to support mothers and families at risk, offering counseling, food aid, and temporary shelter. Over the years, the foundation has grown thanks to the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers who share Khun Gio’s vision. Yet despite its achievements, the work remains challenging and often for Gio himself it can be frustrating when resources are stretched thin or official bureaucracy slows down the work he urgently wants to do.
Take Care Kids Thailand
Foundation complies rigorously with all the Thai Laws necessary for it to be officially classified as a foundation but as such relies completely on donations from well wishers. So for its next project, a new boys’ wing, Khun Gio was delighted to receive a donation from The Widows Sons. They are a Masonic motorcycle club with chapters worldwide and recently both Thai and Philippine chapter members joined together to present Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation with 50,000 THB. The Widows Sons will now join other sponsors whose names are proudly displayed on Take Care Kids” walls.
Khun Gio and the Take Care Kids Thailand Foundation represent a remarkable example of how compassion and determination can make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. The foundation has become a safe haven for young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, or extreme poverty. The hands-on commitment of Khun Gio and his team has earned them not only the love and respect of the children but also the admiration of volunteers, staff, and the wider Pattaya community.If you’d like to learn more, or see how you might be able to help, visit the foundation’s Facebook page, Take Care Kids Onlus. There you can discover more about their mission and follow regular updates on their ongoing projects.