Passport Café
Connecting to university students in life, leadership and faith
The leadership gap
Thailand’s fast growing economy and the post-secondary education system that supports it largely fails to create “world changers”—graduates who have the passion and capacity to bring real and meaningful change to their world.
Passport Café, Imagine Thailand's primary student outreach platform, opened in July, 2008 and sits next to the sprawling 43,000 student Chulalongkorn University—Thailand’s most prestigious and one of the most influential universities in Southeast Asia. The café offers great drinks, desserts and a photo gallery. But more than that, it offers students the opportunity to explore issues of social justice, leadership and faith in a relevant context.
Where change begins
We believe in those who have society’s permission to bring change can do just that—catalyze change. We believe in a new generation of young adults who want to make a meaningful difference in their world. We believe in Thai students and young professionals who, stand ready to bring transformation to local communities and society.
Through Passport Café in Bangkok, Imagine Thailand works to capture the potential of young adult culture to bring real benefit among marginalized communities, in disaster zones, areas of conflict and among displaced peoples in Southeast Asia.
The Passport model
We develop the capacity of university students for meaningful service alongside young adults of faith, starting with multi-day camps, held three to four times annually in the marginalized communities where Imagine Thailand serves. This does not mean we are simply interested in social service alone. Rather, we believe Thai students and young professionals best apprehend the reality of spiritual truth in the rhythm of life, meaningful service and observing transformed lives. We also believe students deserve the opportunity to further explore the meaning of what they see demonstrated. As such, Passport Café is a home base for Imagine Thailand's campus ministry arm through cell groups, acoustic worship nights and Destinations—an exploration of God’s purpose for life and living.
Passport Café compliments Imagine Thailand’s other work at Chulalongkorn, including facilitating leadership camps on campus and teaching leadership courses.
How to get involved
Imagine Thailand needs donors to help pay for workers in the café and subsidize the cost of students participating in life-changing camps. To make a donation, visit www.imaginethailand.org/donate/ and email us to direct your donation to Passport Café. To find out more, contact us.