A Look Back on 40 Years of BAMBI
In 1982 the world was introduced to many amazing things. For example, the first CD player was publicly released. Today, with digital music services like Spotify available, CD players are a relic of the past for most people. But what has endured through the booms, growths and changes of society? BAMBI. That’s right, 40 years ago, a group of seven women met together, hoping to support each other through their momentous first journey into motherhood. Thus, BAMBI was formed. Although it started as a small group of just seven mothers, BAMBI quickly grew to help not only its members, but the wider community. At the end of that first year, the group donated toys to those in need through the Human Development Foundation of Khlong Toey. What an accomplishment. And that was just the beginning.
In 1991, just several years after starting, BAMBI was able to grow and extend to what we all now know as Bumps & Babies. This subgroup was created to help new mothers throughout their pregnancy journey, from prenatal assistance to postnatal recovery, and even infant care.
BAMBI also catered for mothers who jumped back into the work scene with WOMBLES (Working, Overstressed Mothers of Bangkok – Let’s eat Supper) created in 2006 to provide gatherings outside of work hours. In time, this gave way to BAMBI’s Me Time. The BAMBI community even spread beyond Bangkok for a time with the launch of BAMBI Pattaya.
As needs and capacities changed, while WOMBLES and BAMBI Pattaya closed, other activities started. However, Bumps & Babies remains at the heart of what BAMBI does today, with New Moon and Baby Massage being some of our most popular offerings.
In the early years, growth was fast and nonstop, and without Google and social media at our fingertips, BAMBI needed a way to keep its members updated with all these new activities. In 1999, the BAMBI Newsletter was born and has grown over time into the BAMBI Magazine we know and love. Back then, BAMBI had its own professional journalist on board, Margaret Towie, who assisted in getting the magazine ready for the public.
With an official magazine now running, all that was left was to make BAMBI itself official. It took a few years and plenty of discussions, but eventually in 2002, BAMBI moved under the umbrella of the Childbirth and Breastfeeding Foundation of Thailand (CBFT) and was able to continue to flourish under its guidance. Shortly after, BAMBI launched its first website, allowing its growing community easy access to updates online. The original website was redeveloped between 2019 and 2021 to incorporate new processes and systems, ensuring that members now have up-to-date information on playgroups and activities, and that volunteers have the best support possible to keep our operations running smoothly.
Today BAMBI volunteers put so much effort into the wonderful activities BAMBI oversees, from playgroups to community yard sales, parties, and coffee meetups. Members can now meet in baby-friendly locations across Bangkok, all still with the original aim of offering support to new mothers and fostering friendships. By the end of 2019, BAMBI was running a total of 15 regular playgroups and activities, which were attended by over 10,000 families! Even last year, with the slight pause in face-to-face activities, over 100 articles were published in the BAMBI Magazine to keep those in need nourished, connected, and informed. So as we reminisce on the past and compare it to the present, we can’t help but look forward to the future. Here’s to 40 years and counting!
References
Mel Habanananda (2012) And So BAMBI Was ‘Born’. bambiweb.org/bambi/and-so-bambi-was-born/
About the Author
Rachel moved from the US to Bangkok in 2016. She has a daughter, who she loves dragging around the city on various adventures. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies and trying new restaurants. She also enjoys being out in nature with her daughter. She joined BAMBI as an assistant editor and looks forward to this opportunity.
The views expressed in the articles in this magazine are not necessarily those of BAMBI committee members and we assume no responsibility for them or their effects. BAMBI Magazine welcomes volunteer contributors to our magazine. Please contact editor@bambiweb.org.