Good Role Models Passing on Good Will

The Passing on the Gift ceremony of Huay Ratchabutr (#22-0510-04) was organized on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.  It was the event every villager had waited for. The ceremony was organized successfully and impressively with collaboration from villagers and the Heifer Thailand project partner Rural Community Development Project (RCDP). It was not the first time for the community to pass on their gifts; some of them had passed on livestock and agricultural supplies during the POG campaign in April 2009.  In this ceremony, 191 families passed on buffaloes, crop seeds and farm tools to 90 families.

Local government authorities including the Tambol Council, Forestry Unit, Royal project, Livestock Department and representatives from the U.S consulate, local NGOs, media and business sector joined in the ceremony and witnessed the success of the villagers with admiration. 

This POG shows not only the fulfilled commitment of villagers but also trust and inspiration from government officials and villagers in neighboring communities. Forestry officials and near-by communities once believed that if Huay Ratchabutr villagers lived close to reserved areas they would worsen the deforestation situation through heavy mono-crop farming.

After settling in this area for 25 years, Huay Ratchabutr villagers have proved that they are not destroyers, but rather that they are creators.  They have wiped out that negative attitude by putting hard effort towards preserving the environment.  For example, they built a check-dam, they use non-chemical pesticide and fertilizer and they are empowering people in the community to improve their livelihood. 

The village has become a model community that the government and general public can learn from, especially in the areas of natural preservation and community empowerment through a self-efficient economy. 

In this POG, the villagers became the actors who played important roles in planning the activities, organizing the place and running the show in coordination with project partners and Heifer Thailand staff.  Mr. Anek Nakabutr, a respected social development advocate, shared his appreciation, “I am really impressed with Heifer’s Values-based Holistic Community Development approach as we can see how villagers are empowered and their capacities are enhanced. They are confident in expressing their view, sharing experiences and demonstrating how their lives have been positively changed. They can help themselves when the project ends.  The event today really shows what Heifer has tried to do.”