AFECT

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Of all Thailand's hilltribes the Akha have the lowest rate of education creating an ongoing cycle of social decay, prostitution, city migration, and exploitation. CEAP is funded by Terre Des Hommes and since 1994 it's been producing Akha leaders capable of promoting and lobbying for the interests of the tribe in the future. Since its inception 1800 children have gone through primary education, 260 high school and 18 university education. One of these graduates works for AFECT's health programme, another has become a sub district chief, influencing political discussion on hill-tribe policy. Many children have also graduated into the nursing sector.

Our new school dormitory to house forty CEAP children

April 2009 funded by Childream www.childsdream.org

Update 2009 - 2010 - We are currently planning a new school for 95 Burmese children on

the Thai Burma Border town of Mai Sai

Objectives

• Stimulating children to get compulsory education.
• Building responsibility in Akha youth.
• Increasing youth self esteem in Akha culture.
• Enhancing leadership amongst Akha children and youth.
• Warning of prostitution, drug dealing (and using), and child labour.
• Networking Akha youth.

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Activities

• Providing scholarships for at risk target groups
• Providing free education and accommodation for students
• Lobbying the Thai government for free hilltribe education
• Classes on the dangerous effects of drugs, prostitution, HIV, and exploitation.

In 2008 AFECT was instrumental in persuading the Thai government to allow hilltribe children access to free education until age 14. Although a major success for AFECT, hilltribe children are still denied any certificate of education. We continue our vision of lobbying for children's fundamental right to free schooling no matter their creed.

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Social and Educational Development

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Having recognized the need to build structured band diversified village economies, AFECT provides non-formal education in practical farming and agricultural management. This programme is for both adults and children. Children receive 160 hours class per month and adults 80 hours per month in evening classes.

Objectives

• To create cooperative self governing village structures.
• Education in agriculture management.

Activities

• Education in developing communities.
• Skills training to improve agricultural management
• To encourage communities to cooperate in planning, improving and administering projects in the villages.
• Encouraging communities to work productively within localised village economies.
• To build basic community education but encouraging their own syllabus which serves their own personal needs.