Media Room - ADRA Thailand Development Project

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Millenium Development Goals

√	Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

√	Achieve universal primary education

√	Promote gender equality and empower women

√	Reduce child mortality

√	Improve maternal health

√	Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

√	Ensure environmental sustainability

√	Develop a Global Partnership for Development


	Project Progress and Updates

Summer 2010 ADRA Works - Posted 2010-08-03 02:01:40

“We are always scared,” says Lautei Myua, a husband and father of three children. “We are like leaves blowing in the jungle, always blowing from place to place. We have been living in this village for six years,” continues Lautei. “We were living in Mae Hong, but the soldiers made us leave. This is the way it is when you are not a citizen. There is nowhere to call your own. They can come at any moment and make you leave. And you don’t know where you will go.”

A stateless person is anyone who is not considered a national by any country. The most prevalent root cause of statelessness is when a country dissolves and separates into different countries. In addition, many countries have created laws that have stripped ethnic minorities of their rights. These people often live in a very precarious situation on the margins of society, frequently lack identity documentation, and often are subject to discrimination.

While the Myua family grows corn and a few vegetables, their main income comes from the small amount their two older children send each year. Since the parents do not have legal rights, none of their children do either, even though each of them was born in Thailand. “My older son and daughter are in the city,” shares Buddha Myua. “They have to hide. They have to live at the factory where they work illegally. And every day, they work and work and work. That is their whole life. If they were to leave, they would probably be arrested and in great, deep trouble. We depend on the money they send us to live on. Each year, they send us 30,000 baht [just over $900, or about $2 a day].” “However, even though they send us money each year, we do not go to the clinic or hospital,” Buddha explains. “If we go to the hospital, no matter what the problem, we are charged a starting fee of 30 baht [90 cents]. My mother lives with us and is completely deaf; she has never seen a doctor.” “Do you hear my husband’s cough?” Buddha asks. “He has had it for years, and he has less energy each year. However, we can’t get medicine. We are Akha. We do not speak Thai. We do not know how to read or write. We live like we do not belong here, yet our grandmother and their grandmothers were born in these mountains. We are desperate. Unless someone helps us, there is no end to this existence.”

ADRA is helping the stateless citizens of this village and 15 others in northern Thailand. Creating an integrated development plan, ADRA is ensuring sufficient clean water systems and sanitation facilities in each village, attaining the most basic human right - citizenship - for individuals currently without, and then improving the livelihoods of each individual, thus increasing self-sufficiency. “If I had citizenship, my whole world would change!” Buddha suddenly becomes very animated. “The first thing I would do would be to register to receive government benefits when I am old. I am 45 years old, but before I know it, I will be 60, and if you are 60 and a citizen, the government gives you 500 baht [$15] each month! Can you imagine?” “But more importantly,” Buddha continues, “if I had citizenship, that would mean my children would have it too. And for them, that would mean freedom! Freedom to have a good job. To travel without constant fear of being caught.” “You know, my children could see the world,” marvels Buddha. “Imagine, I could see Chiang Mai before I die [approximately 124 miles from her village]. I’ve always dreamed of seeing that city.”

"Inception" - the first three months.. - Posted 2009-12-03 22:02:46

After a year in the planning, and following on the success of it’s previous three year Adopt a Village – Community Development Project, ADRA Thailand was very excited to launch it’s latest Adopt a Village -Integrated Area Development Project in 15 (all of the) communities within two watershed catchment areas in the Mae Suai district of Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand. The primary focus of the first three months of the project (“Inception” phase) was on project staff training to ensure maximized capacity and shared vision amongst the staff, which will ultimately ensure the project’s success. Training started in July and lasted through August. The Program Director and all of the project field staff members held an orientation meeting early in July discussing the approach of the project based on a “sustainable development” model. A three day training course was subsequently provided with training encompassing the ZOPP methodology (a German acronym meaning “Objectives Oriented Project Planning”), and Log-frame interpreting for all members of the field staff team. A two day Participatory Rural Appraisal workshop was conducted from the 27th – 28th of August rounding off the staff training. This workshop was facilitated by Mr. Worakarn Tirasarichote, a common face among NGOs in Thailand who holds a masters degree in public administration from NIDA (National Institute of Development Administration) majoring in community development.

A teambuilding workshop occurred in the Chiang Dao district of Chiang Mai province from 16 – 19 September and was aimed at broadening the world view of all members of the project team in working with communities which have different participatory approaches. The workshop also shone a light on the inter-dynamics of the team and encouraged positive team interaction. The Makhamporn Theater Group of Community Media Foundation facilitated the workshop. 4 sub teams were established during this period as follows: • Planning and Strategy Team • Logistics Team • Coordination Team • Information and Data/Public relations Team.

Community assessments and preparation meetings were conducted with the pilot assessment occurring in Huay Chompoo village 1 – 3 September. The Participatory Rapid Appraisal technique was used as a tool to conduct this assessment and all subsequent re-assessments of the targeted communities which took place from 8 – 11 September and 21 – 24 September. These assessments were conducted (along with more to come) in order to have all information required to prepare the Detailed Implementation Plan for the project. Watershed preparation meetings were held on the 15th of September to explain the project goal, objectives and work area to the targeted community leaders of the villages of the Mae Tam and Mae Yang Min catchments, in preparation for the project activities to begin.

ADRA Thailand is extremely grateful to our donors for their assistance and support in making this project possible. A project of this scope and size, touching the lives of so many in such a holistic way, requires much resources - both financial and technical. Extra funds are still required to ensure the needs of all villages can be sustainably met. If you are able to assist financially, donations can be made through this website or by contacting your local ADRA office. We look forward to hearing from you to discuss how you can join us in this exciting three-way "Partnership of Empowerment".

Baseline surveys - a personal account... - Posted 2009-02-13 12:03:25

It was my first time since working with ADRA to get out into the field and do work in the communities. When I got out there, the first few days went very well. The team was fantastic.

The time spent in the communities was also very impressive . The communities we surveyed are located in the middle of a valley with a river running through it. These communities contain Buddhists and Christians living together. The first day I had a chance to meet with them and listen to their stories. The community seemed so peaceful and in harmony with their lives. In this village they did not relate problems with drugs or diseases and were not grasping for more or better material possessions. I shared with them a story about the fish that had disappeared from the river due to pollution of the river, but was then able to return after adjusting the practices of the humans. We had to translate the story into four different languages. The next day, when the surveys were returned, it seemed that many of them were actually in debt. It was amazing that they could maintain their sense of peace and contentment while living in debt.

It was my first time since working with ADRA to get out into the field and do work in the communities. When I got out there, the first few days went very well. The team was fantastic.

Trained to help others and herself - Posted 2009-02-13 11:59:36

Seventeen year old Usa Ja-Sae from the Phya Gong Dee community, has received scholarship funding from ADRA since 2007 to continue studying in grade nine at the Wieng Pha Viddhaya school.

This year, she has been supported to attend the vocational course ‘Taking Care of the Elderly’ at the Vocational Training Centre, Chiang Rai under the Department of Social Development and Welfare, Pharn District of Chiang Rai. The training course, which was conducted at the Wiang Pa Pao Hospital, concluded in September 2008. “I have wanted to do this job since I was a young child. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be trained at the Wiang Pa Pao Hospital and to be able to give service to people from the same ethnic groups as myself. This made me proud to be able to do so. In the past I saw my friends who finished the same level of schooling as me getting married and delivering babies. Before I received this opportunity from ADRA I thought that I might end up following the same path as my friends. Now I have an idea to study as high as I can. I’d like to be a professional nurse at the hospital. This makes my parents proud of me as well. So I’d like to thank ADRA and the project staff for giving me such a chance to make the best of my life” said Usa.

Usa recently received her vocational certificate from the Department of Social Development and Welfare and has already started her new temporary employment at the Wiang Pa Pao Hospital as a nurse’s assistant.