CoLIFE — Global Shapers Bangkok

The CoLIFE project was developed in July 2020 to provide direct help to vulnerable communities in Bangkok and Thai farmers and fishermen, whose source of income has been severely disrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Right at the outset, the idea took a creative turn by partnering with famous influencers, actors and actresses in Thailand to gather donations. Each care package, which costs 300 Thai Baht (USD 10), gives the donor an opportunity to help vulnerable families, Thai farmers and a chance to win a ‘date’ with the donor’s chosen influencer.

The project was a great success. What started with cold calling potential partners and sponsors, finished with 19 influencers, 6 partners, and 4 large corporate sponsors including Beiersdorf, CP, Laemthong and Siribuncha.

Within 7 weeks, the CoLIFE team collected almost 2 million Thai Baht (USD 67,000) and distributed more than 3,883 care packages to over 3,883 families, consequently providing 116,490 meals and impacting the lives of 15,532 people. To multiply the effect, the CoLIFE team assembled these care packages using locally-sourced agricultural products from Thai farmers and fisherman (purchased over 800 KG of fish and over 14 tons of rice!) whose livelihood has also been disrupted as domestic demand decreased and international tourism demand plummeted to virtually zero as Thai borders closed in early 2020.