Sending Some Durian Goodness Back to Thailand

Neways believes in giving back to the community and improving the lives of people all over the world. At our recent convention in Japan, CEO Eric Larsen announced that, in an effort to give back to the land of the durian fruit, Neways will donate a percentage of Durian Fusion™ proceeds to help prevent human trafficking in Thailand and assist affected women and children.

As an opening gesture, Eric presented a $10,000 check to Senator Mechai Viravaidya, who in 1974 founded the Population and Community Development Association, or PDA. As one of Thailand's largest, most successful private non-profit development organizations, PDA has initiated community-based family-planning services, innovative poverty-reduction programs, large-scale rural development and environmental programs, and HIV/AIDS prevention activities. With Neways' help, PDA is now preparing to introduce groundbreaking anti-human-trafficking programs in Thailand and surrounding areas.

Senator Mechai was appointed to the Thai Senate in 1987 and 1997, and in 2000 he was elected to serve a six-year term. Appointed as a Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister in 1991 and 1992, he served as the chief architect for building a comprehensive national HIV/AIDS prevention policy and program in Thailand. His HIV/AIDS initiative is regarded as the finest national effort by any country in combating HIV/AIDS. By 2004, Thailand had experienced 90% reduction in new infections of HIV. The World Bank reported in 2005 that these preventative efforts helped save 7.7 million lives throughout Thailand, and saved the government over US$18 billion in treatment cost alone.

Senator Mechai has received numerous awards, including the 1997 United Nations Population Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1994, the Paul Hoffman Award, and the United Nations Gold Peace Medal in 1981. More recently, Senator Mechai was selected as one of Time magazine's Asian heroes for his pioneering work in family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.

"Neways is proud to announce the new partnership with Senator Mechai to further his efforts in assisting families in Thailand and neighboring countries," says Eric Larsen. "What started as a grass-roots program for HIV/AIDS prevention has now grown into one of the largest organizations in assisting individuals and families. Senator Mechai and the PDA are a great inspiration to us all and we are proud to work with him and his organization."

Simply by purchasing and sharing Durian Fusion™, you can help us in this worthy cause. For more information on the Population and Community Development Association and its activities, go to http://www.pda.or.th/eng/.