AMWAY FOUNDATION SEEKS MORE BOOK DONATIONS TO HELP RURAL STUDENTS

       The Amway for Thai Society Foundation may have fallen short of the mark in its attempt to secure 10,000 donated books for poor rural students, but the campaign has served as a timely reminder to city dwellers about the plight of provincial children.
       The One by One: World of Wisdom book-raising event wrapped up last weekend, hosted jointly by the Amway Foundation and Amarin Printing and Publishing.
       Philanthropists were invited to attend the Amarin Book Fair 2009 exhibit at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where they could buy and donate used or new books for the poor.
       Through the foundation, donated books will fill the shelves of libraries at schools.
       "The books and libraries should provide underprivileged children with a better educational platform from which they can cultivate their intellects into adulthood," said Preecha Prakobkit, president of the Amway Foundation.
       At the start, Preecha was optimistic the book-raising exercise would be able to locate 10,000 donated books for the programme to become part of Amway-sponsored libraries upcountry, benefiting 4,500 students.
       However, after the five-day event ended on Sunday, Amway foundit had obtained just 4,435 books.
       The foundation could not be reached to comment how this would affect its goal.
       But it is expected that the project will be continued and te public will have another chance to participate in future campaigns.
       The book-raising event is part of One by One: World of Wisdom, a programme that has been graciously supported by three non-profit organisations, the CCF Foundation under the royal patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Foundation for Child Development and the Mirror Foundation.
       These groups are linking with the Amway Foundation in the procurement, construction and development of Amway libraries.
       The project was launched to mark the 50th anniversary of Amway's business operation.
       Amway in the US has allocated a special fund for its international branches, in order to help poor children in their own countries.
       The project is based on the belief that wisdom is built on learning and that the library is one of the best sources of intellectual development that can broaden the view of youths around the world.
       The One by One project will build or upgrade libraries for schools in remote areas where educational opportunities appear limited.
       Since last year, the Amway Foundation has completed libraries for 10 schools in Thailand: five in the North, two in the Northeast and one in the southern province of Yala.
       The foundation will build or upgrade libraries in five schools this year, in Phayao, Samut Sakhon, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum and Narathiwat provinces.

Political violence takes toll on Giffarine

       Giffarine Skyline Unity Co, the multilevel direct-sales firm, estimated that its sales in the first seven months of this year rose by 8% to 2.4 billion baht, below its previous projection of 10-15%.
       The company attributed the results to political violence from April to May.
       Sales rebounded gradually in June and July with average growth of 11%after the political situation eased.
       "The outbreak of H1N1 influenza became a positive factor for us because it encourages people to be concerned about their health, resulting in increased de-mand for food supplements," said president Nalinee Paiboon.
       The sales proportion of food supplements climbed to 35% of total sales, up from 31% last year.
       In the second half of this year, the company will spend 80 million baht on seven TV commercials that will focus on brand reliability and also invite Thais to join its business.
       The company believes the increased marketing and advertising will help it expand sales for the full year by 10-15%to 5 billion baht.

Avon names new Thai executive

       Avon Products Inc, the US-based direct selling firm, has appointed a new Thai executive to lead its business, aiming to regain leadership in the direct-sale beauty market over the next two to four years.
       Wallapa Narunachvanich, a former country director of Herbalife International (Thailand), was appointed country manager at Avon Cosmetics (Thailand)in May. She is the second Thai to reach the top position.
       "It is a challenge for me to join Avon,the world's largest direct selling firm.During my term, I want Avon Thailand to return as the market leader in the 20-billion-baht beauty business," she said.
       Thailand's direct selling industry is worth about 40 billion baht with half dedicated to beauty products. Ms Wallapa declined to disclose sales figures.
       Five million people are in the direct selling market, but the Thai population of about 65 million makes Ms Wallapa optimistic about growth. Avon also offers value products that are popular during difficult economic times.
       The Thai market for cosmetic, fragrance and toiletry products is worth about US$3 billion compared to $2 billion in Malaysia and $1 billion in Vietnam.
       "With almost ten years of experience in direct sales, I found that when a crisis happens, it creates an opportunity because people will look for extra earnings,"she said, adding that Avon's success was due to teamwork, positive thinking and good leadership on all levels.
       The company plans to launch more products in the second half, including the Unscripted brand fragrance with Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey's endorsement.