Passing on the Gift through a Child’s Lens

The recent Passing on the Gift (POG) of Heifer Thailand was organized on February 14, 2010. At the ceremony, Heifer staff and project partner, Hmong Association for Development in Thailand (HADT), promoted a drawing competition for a youth group in the Kheknoy community, a Heifer Thailand targeted project area. Children in the Kheknoy School were involved in a drawing competition with the theme, “Passing on the Gift” from their perspectives and inspiration. The drawings made by the children were hung or attached to trees or boards along the way to the POG venue with invitation words to friends and guests to join in the ceremony and see their pictures. The girl is drawing her picture during POG of project (#22-0510-20) on Feb. 14, 2010.

Kheknoy is the largest Hmong ethnic minority community in Thailand, located on the boundary of three provinces: Phetchabun, Pittsanulok and Loei. Their ancestors migrated from the northern provinces of Thailand where the majority of Hmong live. Currently, Hmong population in the community is about 12,000 and the number is increasing each day. About 4,000 of the population are children; of which half of them are studying at Kheknoy School. The school provides education services from grades one through nine.

On the POG day, most of the children from the elementary level were involved in the drawing competition organized by Heifer Thailand with the theme, “My Dream Community.” Each child had one hour to draw their picture from their imagination. They could manage their time quite well even in the outdoor area where there were not enough tables and chairs. However, the results came out well. Two girls out of five had the best drawing pictures; Prakaithip Sae-lee, age 11, and Rungthip Sae-sow, age 10, shared about their dream community. “I want everyone to help preserve the environment and grow more trees to help reduce the global warming” said Prakaithip. “I want everyone to live in harmony, save the environment, keep the community clean and raise animals,” said Rungthip. The two girls also sent their pictures to compete in the POG event and had their pictures hung up on that day.

The original plan of the POG in Petchaboon was for all the stakeholders to have full participation, including children. The event also is intended to educate community people, children, local government officials, NGOs, media and civil society on Values-based Holistic Community Development, POG and sustainable development. It is our hope that the passing on the gift principle will be passed on from one generation to the next and beyond.