To Learn, Laugh, Love. 3L Foundation is a product of our shared experiences to illuminate a bright path for those in darkness.
As the story goes, “While being just eleven years old, Ashley Syms was first introduced to the Pattaya Orphanage in Thailand. Along with her mother and family friends, she would spend vacations with the little ones at the orphanage, changing diapers, feeding bottles, playing patty cake, and giving out as many hugs and kisses as they could fit in a day.” According to Ashley, “To say that I loved the Orphanage and my time with the babies and kids would be a drastic understatement. Infatuated might be a better term to describe it.” Many years later this love and infatuation for the children of Pattaya, whom have been abused and discarded, would manifest itself in what is now the 3L Foundation.
Founded by Ashley Syms, Pam Proto, and Matt Cline, the 3L Foundation is making a real difference in our world, just twelve time-zones away. Again, as the story goes, “The founders of the 3L Foundation came to each other from very different paths, but each have found joy and an unconditional dedication to a specific mission: to contribute to the rescue and healing of children in Pattaya, Thailand who have been abused and discarded.” The 3L Foundation is partnering with the Child Protection and Development Center in Pattaya in association with the Human Help Network Thailand. The kid’s ages vary, from very young, all the way into their teens. All have had stories of grotesque abuse, including exposure and participation in drug trafficking and sex trade by their parents or relatives, sexual slavery, and victims themselves of human trafficking. In the wake of all this, The 3L foundation’s mission is simple,
Our world is filled with discarded children in despair, forced into tragic lives for their very existence. It is our mission that they Learn how priceless and cherished they are; That they Laugh in joy and fellowship despite the decay that surrounds them; That they fear no risk of Love given or received.
Each founding member brings their own talents and treasures to the organization and calling. Ashley brings her passion and organizational skills, immersed with her rich childhood memories and experiences of love and service for these children. Pam is a successful restauranteur of Proto’s Pizzeria, a delectable Napoletana style Pizzeria here in Colorado and Boise with a handful of locations; hands-down the best pizza in Colorado! With Pam’s background and expertise in the restaurant industry, building a new Dining Sala and cleaner eating facilities was a “no-brainer”. Matt is a fine art photographer in South-Western Ohio, using his talents to visually document the conditions and stories of the people of Pattaya. Together they bring a myriad of resources, passion, and desire to love, laugh and learn with the the children of Pattaya.
This project is very unique and personal to me. Knowing Pam and Ashley personally, and seeing first-hand the foundation grow and mature into this amazing entity has been a life-changing experience. I have had the opportunity to listen and talk with Pam and Ashley about their experiences and what a normal day consists of during their ongoing visits to Thaniland; absolutely inspiring! While I have not personally witnessed and traveled to the Thailand, it is simply amazing to see people love and selflessly serve a people in need, thus giving these people hope and a voice.
They have a variety of new projects underway, but are currently accepting donations for their Dining Sala Project and the Flip-Flop Project. For just $12.95, you can give a child a pair of flip-flops, that 3L will personally buy and give to the children. Many of the kids walk barefoot without any kind of shoes and live in conditions unimaginable to us here in the states. Also, the Dining Sala, that 3L is building will greatly improve their dining conditions and give them an improved and covered place to eat. They need help in the way of donations for this as well. I love that 3L offers very tangible solutions and ways to help real people twelve time-zones away. It is good to know that when you give to an organization, you can really see the difference you are participating in and through their blog, you can get updates of all the important and necessary work going on over there. I love the 3L Foundation’s mission of love!
Kalos Interactive Design has been supporting and encouraging the 3L Foundation and their mission. We have come-along side them and helped with the branding & identity, Art Design & Direction, Website Design & Development, and are currently in development of a new interface to allow users to get more involved. Stay-tuned for more!
view site :: 3lfoundation.org
:: below is a sampling of imagery of Pattaya, Thailand by Matt Cline.
