Passing on the Gift without Ethnic Boundary

“Passing on the Gift from Ahkha to Lahu and Aiew Mien” was the theme for the Passing on the Gift (POG) event of project Environmental and Occupational Development in Mae Salong Watershed Areas (EOD) in Chiang Rai on May 6, 2010. It was the first POG of this project. Eight Self-Help Groups (SHGs) made up of 120 families passed on pigs, cows, goats, seeds and feed to 86 families of four SHGs. The event was organized by the SHG and project partner at Na Jaroen village, one of the original family groups where the seats and stages were made from bamboos and consisted of simple decorations. The SHG members dressed in their traditional costumes happily came to Na Jaoren village early in the morning. Guests invited were project partners, local authorities, NGO officers and nearby villagers.

The receiving villagers stood face to face in two rows and beat the bamboo on the ground to make a local melody, while guests and other SHG members from other villages arrived. A good luck egg necklace was given to each one as a greeting. After that, cultural dances were performed, followed by welcome remarks from the project partner and the opening speech from Heifer’s representative. The local authorities and NGO representatives participated by handing over the certificate of appreciation to the families who passed on the animals to others. After each SHG presented their gifts to POG SHGs, one senior lady from the host SHG at Na Jaroen was invited to speak about the essence of POG.

Ms. Vipa Atsawapithak, (58) from an Ahka tribe who is a religious leader and founder of the Na Jaroen village, said in the front of the crowd, “I have lived this life for a long time and never seen such a golden opportunity given to the poor like this project. I have been so fortunate to be a SHG member and participate in this project. Thank you for this opportunity. I wish to see the POG families become a role model to others by taking good care of the animals with love and by passing on to other needy families in the future. Regardless of age, it is important to create opportunities for oneself and for the wider group. This should be treasured in life and it will guarantee success and sustainability.”

A woman received training related to the Cornerstones, Values-based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD), and gender. Further, she participated in group savings activities and monthly meetings. She did not want any animals. She helped in providing training on the Cornerstones to other SHG members by giving examples from her experiences and tribe culture. She said, “I wish that we could pass on animals to more people in different places, but with limited resources, we had to prioritize and select the most needy ones first. The important thing is not quantity, but quality. The receivers have to be ready and know how to take good care of animals. I am so proud to see the positive changes among the SHG members and our community after this project has been implemented. Women have taken on more important roles in the village with acceptance from men. Villagers have joined together to do communal activities with love and care. We became more united and received attention from local authorities. My dream is to see our next generation with quality education and our community become an official village with our own village chief, committee and development budget. My dream does not seem too far to reach.” Ms. Vipa ended her conversation with sparking eyes and a smiling face.