RADION International

Last updated
RADION International
Formation2007
FounderEugene Wee, Benjamin Goh
Type Non-governmental organization
FocusVulnerable & Marginalized Communities
Location
Area served
Thailand Laos Singapore Philippines Myanmar Pakistan
MethodChild rescue, Advocacy, Rehabilitation, Humanitarian Relief, Disaster Recovery, Community Development, Education, Livelihood development
Website www.radion-international.org

RADION International is a Singapore-registered Christian humanitarian relief and development non-government organization (NGO). RADION's core work primarily focuses on both short-term aid, and long-term assistance to underprivileged and marginalized communities in Asia. RADION International, headquartered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, serves communities across Thailand.

Contents

RADION has also been involved in short-term projects in disaster areas such as Myanmar, Laos and The Philippines.

RADION's programs cover child rescue and protection, community development and disaster recovery, with the bulk of its work dedicated to aiding vulnerable and at-risk children, and looking upstream to strengthen social safety nets in target communities.

Most of its donors are Singaporeans and Thais. [1]

Founding

RADION International (aka RADION) was founded in 2007, starting as two-man team based in Thailand. The Singaporean founders of RADION had learned of the plight of some 8,900 Hmong from previous humanitarian missions and were inspired to provide aid to the critically needy among the refugees. The Hmong, who had sought asylum in Northern Thailand following the events of the regional conflicts in Laos, had fallen into extreme poverty, with children becoming a particular high-risk group.

The organization designed most of its programs to address the needs of these children and their families, which founders say necessitate long-term efforts of some "20-to-40 years". [1]

As of 2024, the organization has grown in size and scope of influence and currently claims to impact more than 7,000 lives a year. [2] (as reported in their corporate video)

RADION is governed by an International Board of Directors, [3] including both Singaporeans and Thais, with Mr Peter Phan as Chairman of the Singapore Board. The organization is led by Executive Director Eugene Wee, who is also one of the founders.

Organizational Philosophy

The organization is founded on Christian values. According to its founders, RADION's name originates from the combination of two words, "RADIATING" and "MISSION". [4] It strongly believes in reaching vulnerable and needy groups through practical actions and being a catalyst for change within these communities.

The motto of RADION is "Every Life Matters"

Long-term Focus

RADION targets communities that are underserved due to political, geographical or social constraints. The organization provides aid and promotes community development through a two-pronged approach: administering programs to beneficiaries, while looking upstream to strengthen social safety nets.

The organization is currently the only non-governmental organization serving the Hmong hill-tribe village of Khek Noi — the largest Hmong community in Thailand. [5]

Impact and Accolades

Impact

RADION is one the early advocates for Asset Based Community Development (ABCD), serving with the community, and working alongside grassroots leaders to bring about change. Through its various initiatives, RADION has brought about significant transformation to the marginalized communities it serves.

Since its inception, RADION's community development initiatives and successful collaboration with local leaders has brought juvenile substance use down from 25% in the early years to the current 8% (as reported in their 2024 Ministry Report video)

In the past, the STREETKIDS! program also saw a 66% rehabilitation success rate for juvenile drug users on the program.

RADION also continues to equip the community with essential knowledge and skills (e.g. training of first responders in first-aid and mental health), with the result that many beneficiaries are now equipped to uplift their own communities.

In recognition of its significant contributions, RADION has been awarded with the following:

Awards

Key Initiatives

RADION runs a number of long-term as well as short-term programs in Asia, with most of its efforts targeting under-reached communities in Northern Thailand. The number of initiatives have grown over the years, in response to the evolving needs of their beneficiaries on the ground.

1. StreetKIDS! Rehabilitation Shelter (STK)

A rescue and rehabilitation program for children from high-risk backgrounds (i.e. poverty, substance abuse, gang-related activity, physical / sexual abuse and neglect). The program provides education, nutrition, healthcare, emotional support and character development for these children. Beginning in 2008, the StreetKIDS! program served at-risk children of primary school-going age but soon grew to include youth (from 2011). It now shelters children up to the age of 21. In 2012, the StreetKIDS! program also broadened to include a rescue arm which provides direct assistance to children who are at risk of being trafficked as well as victims of abuse.

The program currently operates in two centres located in Thailand - Dream Center (Phetchabun) set up in 2016, and Hope Center (Chiangmai), built in 2022.

RADION International, HOPE Centre, Chiang Mai, Thailand Radion Hope Centre, Chiang Mai.jpg
RADION International, HOPE Centre, Chiang Mai, Thailand

2. Community Development

Over the years, RADION has made inroads by nurturing social enterprise and other community-based initiatives with the aim of addressing issues of poverty, domestic violence, substance abuse and lack of healthcare among rural communities. These include:

It currently runs the Community Development Program (CDP) - a consolidated, holistic programme with a two-pronged approach focusing on:

3. Village Outreach Program (VO)

A dignity program that provides nursing care, nutrition and emotional support to critically needy, disabled and terminally-ill beneficiaries in the community.

4. HOPE Scholarship

A scholarship programme started in 2020, in response to the economic downturn post COVID-19 pandemic, where countless Thai families lost the ability to continue funding their children's university education.

The HOPE scholarship provides a bursary to high performing students who have a clear goal of contributing back to their communities after graduation.

Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Relief

RADION provides long-term as well as short-term assistance to needy communities

Project LIVES! - This annual humanitarian relief and awareness campaign operating out of Singapore was first started in 2007 and sought to aid targeted communities by providing relief items through community action.

DREAM Center - RADION provides direct assistance to all rural villages within a 120 km radius of its DREAM Center in Phetchabun, Thailand in the event of natural calamities or disasters that occur in the area. The DREAM Centre also serves as the base from which partner organizations provide medical screening and aid to the village.

The organization also carries out short-term crisis relief as follows:

Humanitarian Relief - projects targeted at channeling timely life-saving support (e.g. food, shelter, medical care and crisis support) to underserved communities in the event of natural disasters or calamities.

Disaster Recovery - projects which aim to provide mid-term assistance to communities impacted by disasters through the provision of livelihood options and economic recovery.

Past Crisis Relief Projects

Partners and Key Donors

RADION International has worked with and is supported by the following sponsors and partners:

Companies and Corporations

3MDKSHNoel Gifts
Active CoolEM ServicesPan Pacific Singapore
Afiko DeliveryFar East Packaging Industrial Pte LtdPattaya Garden Restaurant
Afton ChemicalGGN Grenature GrainsPeraMakan
APLGoGo VanScoot
Beacons PharmaceuticalsGreen with EnviSeatrade
BiotronikHermitage WineSilkAir
Bridge LearningHilton Garden InnSKS Books
Cathay PacificiFLY SingaporeStarhub
Ceva LogisticsINTASESyngenta
Chinatown Heritage CentreKeppel ClubThe Dental Studio
Colins PhotograffiLC DevelopmentTiffany Chairs Rental
CON-LASHLION CorporationTrusted Services
Conrad SingaporeMitsuk OSK Lines (MOL)Welch Allyn Singapore
CrocsMSA SingaporeYork Hotel
CTC GlobalNCL

Non-Profits and Universities

Cornerstone Community ServicesProject Kyrie
Cru SingaporeProject Light
FoodBankRauLife
Habitat for HumanityThe Salvation Army
Salt & LightThe Thought Collective
Our Daily Bread MinistriesYouth Guidance Outreach Services (YGOS)
Lee Foundation (Singapore)Gracefield Foundation (Singapore)
HealthEXSingapore Management University (SMU)
SCAPE SingaporeNational University of Singapore (NUS)
Rotary Club Pandan Valley

Churches and Religious Organizations

Paya Lebar Methodist ChurchLighthouse Evangelism Church
Trinity Christian CenterFaith Community Baptist Church
Wesley Methodist ChurchCovenant Evangelical Free Church
Grace Assembly of GodBethesda Frankel Estate Church
Changi Baptist ChurchSingapore Bible College

Government Agencies

National Youth Council (Singapore)
Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (Singapore)
Royal Thai Embassy (Singapore)

References

  1. 1 2 hermes (2015-08-09). "Giving up all to help villagers". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
  2. RADION INTERNATIONAL. "RADION Website with Corporate Video".
  3. "Every Life Matters | RADION International". radion-international.org. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  4. "Radiating Love and Care | GoodPaper" . Retrieved 2019-06-24.
  5. The Land Without The Concept Of A Title Deed
  6. RADION. "RADION Blog: A New Chapter In Laos".