They work to help the children and communities of the many slums of Bangkok. Together with their neighbors in the slums they create simple-but-progressive solutions that touch the lives of thousands of the poor every day. They build and operate schools, improve family health and welfare, protect street children’s rights, combat the AIDS crisis, respond to daily emergencies, and offer shelter to orphans, to street children, and to children and adults with AIDS. The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Mercy Centre, and AN2R 2023 will be provide a wonderful opportunity to mark this incredible milestone.

Father Joe Maier, C.Ss.R. Co-founder and Chairman Human Development Foundation

Father Joseph Maier has lived among the poor in Thailand and Laos since 1967. He settled in Bangkok in the early ’70s, where he served as the priest to a small Catholic parish in the slaughterhouse neighborhood of Klongtoey. In 1973, together with Sister Maria Chantavorodom, Father Joe started the Human Development Foundation for his poor neighbors of all religions. Father Joe holds advanced degrees in Theological Studies and Urban Planning as well as an honorary doctorate in Social Administration from Thammasart University. He still lives in Klong Toey where his work here first began.

Father Joe Maier, C.Ss.R.
Co-founder and Chairman
Human Development Foundation

Father Joseph Maier has lived among the poor in Thailand and Laos since 1967. He settled in Bangkok in the early ’70s, where he served as the priest to a small Catholic parish in the slaughterhouse neighborhood of Klongtoey. In 1973, together with Sister Maria Chantavorodom, Father Joe started the Human Development Foundation for his poor neighbors of all religions. Father Joe holds advanced degrees in Theological Studies and Urban Planning as well as an honorary doctorate in Social Administration from Thammasart University. He still lives in Klong Toey where his work here first began.