Schools in the Hill Tribes
Hill tribe is a term used to refer collectively to the people living in the mountainous regions of northern Thai border. Most are farmers living in the remote upland areas undisturbed until the 1950s, when increase in their numbers, extreme poverty and statelessness forced the Thai government to establish the National Committee for the Hill Tribes.
Until as recently as nine years ago many of these tribes had little contact with modern society. The situation is further complicated by the fact that many of the hill tribes do not have Thai citizenship, even though they have resided in the country for several generations. Without citizenship they are unable to purchase land, have access to health care or send their children to state schools.
Mae Tang school in Chiang Mai province
A school in the northern part of Thailand is separated from the children's village by a river that becomes flooded and impassable during the monsoon season. The Trust is building a bridge across the river to enable the children to get to the school. In this case one can say that the Trust is literally bridging the gap between children and education! (Pictures of the bridge to follow)
Bahn Pah Mee School in Chiang Rai Province
Northern part of Chiang Rai is one of few places in Thailand where the temperature falls to 0°C in winter and children from the hill tribes often have to walk long distances to get to school. After discussion with the teachers the Trust donated warm clothing and rucksacks.
The children at the school put on a show to entertain the Trust members so Steve Morgan gave an impromptu harmonica performance of his own to repay the compliment in kind! (See the photo on the right).
Kahyang School in Chiang Rai
The day the trust visited the school all the children were busy making banana boats for the Loi Krathong Festival (except one child who was completely absorbed in preparing her vegetables – see photo below).
Once again after a discussion with the teachers the Trust learnt that they shared the same problem with the Bahn Pah Mee school and warm clothing and rucksacks were distributed among the children.
