タイ最大のスラム発のブランドを立ち上げ現地の女性を応援したい

History of Klong Toey Slum

The rapid industrialization after the 1940s led many people from the country side, who were suffering from drought and famine, to come work in Bangkok.  These migrant workers began illegally living in the area that is now Klong Toey Slum.  The Slum continued to expand, and there are currently 100,000 people residing in about a 1 mile radius.  In recent years, there has been an increase in migrant workers from Cambodia and Myanmar.  Some of the issues in this neighborhood are; unstable housing, unsanitary living environment, education, employment, and drugs.

Hard Labor and Day Workers: The Unstable Jobs for the Residents

Common jobs in the slum are motorcycle taxi drivers, selling items from a push car or a carrying pole on the shoulders, and creating flower garlands.  These jobs all have an unstable income, making it difficult to make a living. Uniforms and travel expenses for school add up quickly, making it difficult to send the children to school.

The main issues currently occurring in the slum are:

1. Household income is unstable
2. Support for children’s education is incomplete
3. The country has the impression that slum = bad  

We want to establish a brand from the slum, to resolve all of these issues.  A brand, because we want the young generation to become more familiar with the problems in the slum as well. 

The final products will also be sold in Japan.  The income from these sales will become a source of income for the people in Klong Toey, and profits will be used to support and improve the education of the children here.  Lastly, by introducing a new brand from the slum, we will be able to show the good-side of the slum, and change everyone’s image of Klong Toey, thereby helping to make residents’ lives easier. This new brand will become a source of pride for the residents here.

 “Slum” Becomes the Ideas behind Feemue Designs

To launch the brand, the Japanese designer, FUJI TATE P, has been staying in the slum for inspiration. He has taken settings and every-day occurrences in the slum to base his designs, such as:

• houses made putting various materials together, like patchwork
• the idea of using caps and plastic bottles to make decorations
• the scenery of various coagulated roofs lined up closely
• the neighborhood with few straight lines
• the strength of its community, etc.

FUJI TATE P will create 40 items with the women who reside in the slum.

How Funds will be Used:

The 2 million yen we are raising will be used to purchase required materials and equipment, printing of a booklet, creating a website, exhibition fees, and travel fees for the Japanese designer.

Create a Brand from Klong Toey Slum, and Improve its’ Image!

Most people have a very negative image of Klong Toey Slum. There have been many people who have been unable to find a job because of this image.  Children often lose friends if classmates learn they live in the slum.  Some taxis will turn down a customer, not wanting to go to an area that is full of drugs.  

One of our greatest challenges has been to improve this image.  If we are able to carry out this project, we will be able to increase income, subdue the negative image, and the brand will become a beacon of hope for the people in the neighborhood.  This is the true and final objective of our project.  We hope you will help us in carrying out this project! Thank you!!