Wiengpapao Communtiy Development Project

Project Number: 22-0510-11

Project Period: 2006-2010

Project Holder: Mekhong Minority Foundation (MMF)

MMF established and registered as a foundation in December 1, 2004 with the aims to build capacity of Hill tribe leader and assist disadvantage people in Mekhong watershed areas.

MMF was established by the World Concern Thailand. World Concern is the international arm of Christa Ministries based in Seattle, Washington, has been instrumental in establishing the Mekhong Minority Foundation. Active in Thailand since 1983, World Concern has sought to provide relief and development solutions for the poor by partnering with churches and other organizations. In 2004 World Concern Thailand made the decision to phase out operations in Northern Thailand, and the Chiangrai branch subsequently began the process of registering as a local foundation. On the 1st July, 2005, the project and staff formerly under World Concern were officially transferred to the Mekhong Minority Foundation.

The objective of MMF;

• To support and assist disadvantage people in Mekhong watershed areas in education, sport, cultural, and science development.
• To build up capability of local leader
• To support and develop community economic.
• To support and promote human dignity and human rights.

The overall of problem for the target areas is lack of stable income resource, poor transportation, lack of good health care, and deforestation. According to this problem, Mekhong Minority Foundation (MMF) will implement the project to assist people in quality of life improvement based on 5 main strategies; increase income, reduce expense, save money and have nutrition foods and good environment.

This project will directly impact 100 families in 5 villages include;  Baan Maechangkhao, Baan Huairai, Baan Pakha, Baan Hinladnok and  Baan Huaimadue by providing them 90 cattle, 50 swine, 50 chickens, 10,000 fingerling fish, 1,000 seedling, 10,020 kg. of seeds, 15 fish ponds, 3 bio-gas units, including kitchen garden and environmental preservation activities. Additionally, saving group and cooperative network will be established to support the community.

Project areas: Wiengpapao district, Chiang Rai, THAILAND

Local Conditions:

Wiangpapao community is a poor community facing with many problems such as poor transportation, no electricity, lack of stable income resources, and insecure occupation. Most farmers in this areas plant corn constantly, and they always use chemical for cultivation. The average area for planting corn is around 9 rai per family. The cash crops cultivation also affect to forest degradation. Most villagers have no alternative for earn their living, they would like to raise cattle because the areas are large enough for raising animals, but they do not have enough funds to purchase animals as they need.

Currently, Non profit organization becomes to assist people in Wiangpapao areas, but they help only for specific group, especially orphanage children. As well, there is lack of help from the governmental organization since Wiang papao is not their main target village. 

Opportunities for Assistance:

According to the problem that is mentioned above, Cash crops cultivation not only making people has more dept, but also harm the environment by deforestation and chemical utilizing. The main tribe of people who live in Wieangpapao community is Karen tribe; they would like to change from their corn field into pasture. Moreover, they plan to grow rice, do kitchen gardens and raise pigs for family consumption. As well, they will plan to preserve environment constantly. If community has enough food for consumption, they will be able to save their money and send their children to school, including the environment will be improved as well.

Project Goal:

100 Target families will have a good environment, cultural preservation and be self-reliance

Objectives

• To have increased the income at least 9,000 baht per family through the livestock, and integrated agriculture.
• To be able to save money at least 1,000 baht per year. 
• To have increase 100 rai of forest

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 the animals or loans to the group, which will pass on the gifts to other families. However, the method of POG for each sub-project will be decided between project partners and the communities.

Each participating family will pass on the first off spring (1:1 ratio) to another family. If the first offspring is male, then it will be sold and proceeds will be used to purchase female animals for passing on the gift.

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

Funding source: Heifer Project International