Children eating at the Wat Far Kindergarten

Hi everyone!

As some of you may know, Adrian paid a visit to Thailand in January to catch up on some of the projects we support there. Having not been since November 2007 it was a busy trip, with many places and people to see so he had lots to report. Here are some updates and news on our projects in Thailand.

IRT's longest supported project in Thailand is the 'Northern Outreach Programme to the Shan and Lahu'. This programme compromises of 3 orphanages, Krung Jor Refugee Camp, Krung Jor Nursery School, Wat Far Wiang Kindergarten, and Lak Tang Primary School. Adrian was particularly impressed with 'Mary’s House Orphanage' which is running very well despite Mary herself having recently had a stroke. Mary’s son has taken much of the responsibility for the day to day running of the orphanage and is doing a good job.

Wat Far Wiang Kindergarten is another successful running project, which provides English night classes for teachers, lunch, school materials and medical assistance for the children.  He was very pleased to see the projects working towards running without external support, for example in the Krung Jor Refugee Camp where JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) are developing weaving projects for women and mushroom growing.

The second programme Adrian visited in Thailand is the 'Mae Sot Livelihoods Programme'. When he was last there, there was a lot of unrest in Mae Sot (on the border of Karen State in Burma) and the projects in this programme needed a lot of emergency support. Things now thankfully are much calmer. Adrian visited and gathered more information about a couple of income generating projects being set up, one of which is helping 12 basket weavers to set up a mini enterprise from their homes. The other is for a group of HIV positive people, which is really important as they have no way of working after having to leave their town because of discrimination against them. There is also an agriculture project in place for 10 families, with which they have a small vegetable garden to grow produce both to feed themselves and to sell for an income.

Adrian was really impressed by what he saw of the 'Mae Sot Livelihoods Programme' and he is hoping to generate more funding to support the projects within it. Developing sustainable livelihoods is exactly what IRT are trying to achieve so its great to know that we're supporting something really worthwhile. Again thanks to all our donors who help to make these great projects possible!

By Georgina Terry