The Couple That Changes the World
The Couple
That Changes
the World
One of the most incredible couples I have met in my travels. What I call a beautiful partnership and family. This is a personal essay about people I love and work I believe in deeply.
"Every mother deserves a safe environment to nurture a future for her children. Together, we can work to ensure that women see the sparkle of hope in their children's eyes and break the cycle of poverty."
In support of the tenth anniversary of Kids-Home, now Baan Dek Foundation, I am writing about the fantastic NGO that my dear friends Nicola and Magali Crosta founded, because I am incredibly fond of the work they have done and want to share it to raise awareness. As many of you know by now, I am an activist for children's causes around the world, and I want to raise awareness for smaller NGOs such as Casita de Belen in Colombia, Aziza's Place in Cambodia, Dar el Awlad in Lebanon, and now Baan Dek in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
I believe supporting smaller NGOs is more fulfilling when you know the founders, the people involved, the kids, and also the needs. One can set small goals and accomplish so much, and for me personally there is nothing more gratifying than this. Baan Dek is another example of an NGO where 100% of your donations go directly to the project, with admin costs covered by the Board Members. So I encourage you to visit the website, find out more, and most importantly, get involved.
"I believe supporting smaller NGOs is more fulfilling when you know the founders, the people involved, the kids, and the needs. One can set small goals and accomplish so much."
Leila AntaklyWhat makes this couple so singular is that they do not only talk about change. They have each, separately and together, built the systems, the methodologies and the institutions that make change measurable and lasting. Nicola is one of the world's leading experts on impact investment and philanthropy, having held senior positions at the United Nations and the OECD, served as Executive Vice President of Epic Foundation, and been a visiting lecturer at MIT, Harvard, Sciences Po and Hong Kong University. He helped define the global Sustainable Development Goals. He is also the founder of Baan Dek, which has won the MIT Award for Social Innovation and become a strategic implementing partner of UNICEF.
Magali founded and runs Dao Ethical Gifts, a social enterprise powered by Baan Dek that works with women living in marginalised communities in Chiang Mai, providing upskilling, work readiness, and income through the production of ethical gifts and sustainable merchandise. Every gift produced tells a unique story of resilience and empowerment. Together, they have built something that is both a foundation and a philosophy: support, empower, change.
Magali founded Dao Ethical Gifts, a social enterprise powered by Baan Dek that designs and produces ethical gifts and sustainable merchandising. She works closely with social workers to match orders with women's skills and priority income needs, empowering women most in need through upskilling training and work readiness. Her vision is that unity in purposeful action is essential: fostering innovation and cultivating networks and partnerships with private companies and society.
"Together, we can work to ensure that women see the sparkle of hope in their children's eyes and break the cycle of poverty."
Nicola held senior management positions at the United Nations in New York and the OECD for 18 years, playing a key role in defining the global Sustainable Development Goals. As Executive Vice President of Epic Foundation, he oversaw one of the largest NGO and donor surveys ever performed globally. Baan Dek has become a strategic implementing partner of UNICEF and won the MIT Award for Social Innovation in 2017. He is a visiting lecturer at MIT, Harvard, Sciences Po and Hong Kong University.
"Impact philanthropy is focused on results. The search for the right cause is taken seriously. Multi-year, unrestricted support provides organisations with the flexibility they actually need."
Tailored case management including direct and immediate protection to children and families identified as at-risk. Support to build strong families, with action plans to enable access to food, public education, health care and social services. Counseling, financial support and referrals through partner organisations.
Equipping vulnerable children and youth with life skills and non-formal education. Early Childhood Development activities, Thai language classes, afterschool homework support. Collaboration with 60+ schools in Chiang Mai. Preparing school-aged children for integration into Thai public schools.
Specialised training for community members, adults and youth to become agents of change. Parenting skills, gender-based violence awareness, life skills and education information. Among those leaders, BDF recognises women as essential agents of change. WASH facilities and community safe spaces.
vs
Impulse
During three years of analysis covering over 2,500 non-profits and 500 donors worldwide, Nicola identified two emerging paradigms of giving. Impulse philanthropy is driven by the feel-good effect and the recognition the donor expects: not particularly concerned about impact, often funding the largest or most communications-savvy organisations rather than the most impactful ones.
Impact philanthropy approaches giving strategically: multi-year, unrestricted support that gives organisations predictable funding and the flexibility they need. Monitoring and evaluation are not a good news machine; they are how donors and organisations alike become smarter by learning from both success and failure. The focus is placed entirely on what the donation actually achieves, not on what the donor is seen to be doing.
Baan Dek is the living proof of what impact philanthropy builds when it has the right people behind it.
Dao designs and produces ethical gifts and sustainable merchandising for companies, events and employees in Thailand, Southeast Asia and globally. Every order is carefully matched with the skills and priority income needs of women living in marginalised communities in Chiang Mai. Each gift reflects a unique story of resilience and empowerment. Production is mentored step by step: product training, quality control, delivery and contract processes.
Learn more at baandekfoundation.org ↗100% of donations fund Baan Dek Foundation operations directly. Whether your donation is financial, in-kind or through fundraising, all contributions matter. Contact Magali directly at kids_home_france@hotmail.fr for more information on how you can help.
baandekfoundation.org ↗Volunteering is an enriching experience and a unique means of appreciating the work first hand. Volunteers have always been an integral part of the Baan Dek family. Visit the website, find out more, and get involved. Small goals, accomplished together, change lives.
Visit the foundation ↗An independent platform dedicated to artists, musicians, photographers, designers, and thinkers at every stage. Every interview is selected for depth, not reach.
✦ Explore all our interviews → Also: Aziza's Place, Cambodia →"Supporting smaller NGOs is more fulfilling when you know the founders, the people involved, the kids, and the needs. One can set small goals and accomplish so much."
More personal essays and community writing from Leila Antakly on Substack.
Read on Substack ↗