We partner with communities and local leaders in Southeast Asia to build equity and wellbeing for all through funding, alliance building, and advocacy.
Founder’s letter
Dear Friends,
It brings me immense joy and gratitude to reflect upon Partners Asia’s 20+ year journey and to see our efforts grow from a few informal donations to our ability to support over 90 partners per year.
It feels like only yesterday when we first set out with a vision to make a positive impact in the lives of communities in Myanmar/Burma. Now, after 20+ years of dedicated efforts to encourage, enable, and support our partners, it is rewarding to witness the tangible transformations they have facilitated in countless communities. Together, we have nurtured hope, empowered individuals, and sowed seeds of compassion that continue to bear fruit.
Throughout this journey, kindness, wisdom, and interconnectedness have formed the bedrock of Partners Asia’s values and efforts. It is through the lenses of compassion and respect that we have approached grantmaking, seeking to alleviate suffering, fuel passionate community leaders, and foster sustainable change in the lives of those we serve.
As we celebrate this significant milestone of 20+ years of partnerships, I am reminded of the immense power of collaboration and the strength of the human spirit. Our success has been possible thanks to the unwavering dedication of our team, Advisors, and Board, the invaluable support of our donors, and the remarkable resilience of communities and their leaders.
While our journey has been marked by plenty of achievements, I am humbled by the realization that our work is far from complete. The needs of our world are ever evolving, and new challenges continue to emerge. As we move forward, let us recommit ourselves to the principles that have guided us thus far. Let us remain open to new ideas, adapt to changing circumstances, and be willing to embrace innovative approaches that will further our impact.
As we embark upon the next chapter of our journey, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who has contributed to Partners Asia’s success. Your unwavering support, whether it be your time, expertise, or financial contribution, has been instrumental in transforming lives and bringing light to those who need it.
Together, let us continue to embody compassion, extending our reach, deepening our impact, and creating a more compassionate and equitable world for all.
With blessings and gratitude,
Hal Nathan, Chairman
Our Board
Chairman
Vichit-Vadakan
Emeritus Board Member
Our Team
Director of Operations
CFO
Bookkeeper
Executive Director
Partnership Lead, Thailand
Our team consists of professionals with decades of experience in being “on the ground” with international development. We have seen what works to promote community growth and resilience. And what undermines it.
In view of that, Partners Asia set up Advisory Council (AC) which is missing in most grant-making organization, to give guidance and insight from a local perspective.
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council (AC) is made up of six established local human rights leaders from Thailand and Burma. The communities they represent range from migrant workers, to ethnic minority youth activists, to policymakers.
They meet annually as a group, and they remain in close contact with Partners Asia throughout the year. In this role, the AC members do two things that are invaluable:
First, they advise our Board and staff on our organizational strategy and how to work in contexts that they, as locals, know best. This is one way we ensure that our work advances local initiatives and visions, rather than interfering with them.
Second, they mentor the next generation of leaders in the region. They select individuals and build their skills and confidence with the aim of increasing their credibility and influence as teachers, advocates, and activists.
Through site visits and workshops, the AC members can also engage with other organizations in the Partners Asia network. This has created opportunities to forge new partnerships and alliances.
It also means AC members are in a position to stand with and empower less experienced leaders during times of crisis and emergency.
By being a member of this council, these leaders have a new avenue to pay their expertise forward to others who need and value it most.
We are happy to say that this includes us.
Due to safety and security considerations, we have chosen not to publicly disclose specific information regarding our Advisory Council on our website. If you wish to acquire further insights into their invaluable contributions to Partners Asia, kindly reach out to us at info@partnersasia.org. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.
Hear from our supporters and learn about the power of community-led change
Why we must nurture and promote capable local leaders
A conversation with Dr. Cynthie Tin Oo
Non-profit veteran, public health professional, and Board member Dr. Cynthie Tin Oo explains how Partners Asia’s success cannot be understood in numbers alone.
Dr. Cynthie Tin Oo, MBBS, MPH, MPA, is a public health professional who dedicated her career to helping develop and strengthen programs in this sector in her native Myanmar, providing technical assistance to national and international organizations at home and abroad in the areas of maternal, newborn and child health, HIV/AIDS, cervical cancer prevention and control, livelihood, early childhood and tertiary education. She now resides in Santa Barbara, California.
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Contact information
436 14th Street, Suite 411
Oakland CA 94612
510-274-2424
info@partnersasia.org