Welcome to the Khom Loy Development Foundation- a non-profit, non-governmental organisation working with the ethnic minority hill tribes in Chiang Rai, the northernmost province of Thailand. Khom Loy's activities were started in 2002 by Paul Hancock and Patricia Solar, volunteers from the UK and Canada, respectively. They now work full-time for Khom Loy.
Where We Operate
Our main office is in the main city of Thailand's northermost province, Chiang Rai. Chiangrai borders Myanmar to the NW, Laos to the NE and China's border is only 200km distant to the north. Over 65% of the province is covered in mountains, rising up to 2,000 m. above sea level. The majority of our projects are carried out up in these mountains in the sub-districts of Huay Chompoo and Mae Yao.
The Problems Faced by Hilltribes
Over the last 100 years, tribal people have migrated to Chiang Rai to escape war, hardship, and military dictatorship in neighboring countries. Population density in the hills has increased and lowland Thais have moved into the foothills which has resulted in the current situation in which there is little chance for the tribal groups to continue their semi-nomadic lifestyle based on swidden agriculture. To exacerbate their problems many of them are not recognized as Thai citizens, do not have land rights and do not have adequate access to areas for rice cultivation. Therefore they are forced to find a balance between maintaining their own culture and participating in the global economy - in the lowest paying, most dangerous and dirty jobs. (A more complete summary of the problems faced by tribal people can be viewed at the Mirror Art Group website.)
How Khom Loy Works
Recognizing the need to sensitively assist the tribal people in a sustainable way, Khom Loy started by focusing on eighteen tribal villages in the Mae Yao sub-district of Chiang Rai. Through various projects we strive to give the villagers more options in choosing their own future and improving their quality of life. All of our projects are based upon a model of village participation combining western knowledge with a desire to solve problems that villagers themselves choose.
Examples of Our Work
Our agriculture project started when one village asked for a way to ensure a year-round water supply. Currently our agriculture project works to ensure food self sufficiency and health while teaching various income generation methods. Ideally, villagers will be self sufficient and able to choose their level of participation in the global economy without being dependent upon monoculture. Our education project assists hill-tribe children in learning Thai, basic maths and practical life skills as quickly as possible using Montessori methods so that they do not fall behind their Thai peers. And our handicraft project is an income generation scheme that allows women to stay in villages with their families and use their traditional skills.
Funding
In 2006 our Montessori project was primarily funded by the generous support of the Hougland Foundation. This project also benefits from close participation and support from the Local Government Authority who oversee the kindergarten and preschool level Child Development Centers located in the hills. In the past years the Canada Fund helped finance both the agriculture and education projects. The handicraft program was started by an award from the INSEAD Business School. Other funding is provided by Paul Hancock and Patricia Solar and generous contributions from private donors. Further donors and grantors are currently being sought. Click here for details on how you can support our programs.
A khom loy is a lantern which is lit and floats away into the night sky on Loy Kratong (a yearly Thai festival giving thanks to the river). The offeror's sins float away with it.
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pig husbandry