Improved Quality of Life and Integrated Holistic Development

Project Number: 22-0510-17

Project duration: 2007-2011

Project Holder: Thailand Lahu Baptist Convetion (TLBC)

TLBC is a Christian organization in Northern Thailand that was established in 1968 by Mr. Paul Louis and other people from Karen, Akha and Lisu tribe. Through several separations of ethnic groups within the organization, the Lahu group formed the Lahu Baptist Convention in Thailand (LBCT) leading by Mr. White Poryou in 1973. LBCT has worked with other Christian organizations around the world such as England, Australia, Sweden, Germany, and the U.S. through various project in education, economic, youth and women group development. In 1979, LBCT changed into Thailand Lahu Baptist Convention(TLBC).  The implementation areas of TLBC covers with 3 province in the North of Thailand ; Chiangmai, Chiangrai and Maehongson provinces.

Project Profile:

This project will directly impact 300 original and 400 pass-on families from eight villages in Chiangrai province by providing 90 water buffalo, 700 pigs, 200 poultry, 70,000 fish and 90 ponds, 19,200 kg of animal feed, as well as 21,000 seedlings, 90 kg of crop seeds, 14 bio-gas units, four corn grinders and two generators.  Technical training will include livestock management, water monitoring, bio-gas production and agroforestry. Participants will also receive training in Heifer Thailand’s values-based holistic community development approach, focusing on Heifer Cornerstones, self-help group formation and management, group savings, gender equity and integrated organic farming. 

Project areas: Chiang Rai province, Thailand

Local Conditions:

Hill tribe people face many economical problems.  First, many villagers lack opportunities to own land.  While some people do own land, it is usually not enough for doing agricultural activities. Generally, if they own land it is about 2-4 rai per family. Some families are unable to extend their land for planting on account of their settlement in reservation area. Moreover, villagers also lack knowledge and technology for soil fertility and efficient farming practicies. 

Since many farmers lack funds for agricultural investment they are forced to take loans from individuals who charge very high interest rates.  Consequently, many villagers are in debt and must migrate to the city for money. 

Many farmers make some money through cash crops, but are dependent on the market price of their products.  Since these prices tend to fluctuate, many farmers do not have a stable source of income.  Usually farmers do not have many other outside sources of income besides cash crop production, and are therefore very vulnerable.

Project Goal:

Target communities will achieve food and income security

Objectives:

• To have increased their income through livestock, integrated agriculture and other income generating activities
• To form inclusive self-help groups and implement Values-based Holistic Community Development activities through these SHGs.
• To monitor and evaluate group and individual progress through PSRP every four to six months

 Passing on the Gifts:

The project partners and community groups will use Heifer Thailand’s systems of passing on the gifts. Participating families will pass on a 1:1 ratio for animals and other inputs to farm families.

Each participating family will pass on the first female offspring (1:1 ratio) of equal value to another family. If the first offspring is male, then it will be sold for a female animal for passing on.

Participants will also pass on the skills and knowledge learned from the project to new recipients through group discussion and individual interaction. In addition, other inputs such as seeds will also be passed on.

Funding source: Heifer Project International