Development of Underprivileged Akha Elders
 

 

Due to remote village locations, lack of access to transportation and hospitals, non citizenship, the inability to speak Thai, and discrimination, Akha elders are particularly vulnerable. The ELDER'S PROJECT is an ongoing community scheme supporting the older members of the tribe with 'village pigs', cloths, occupational training, health care and the transferal of elder knowledge and wisdom to the community at large. Wisdom includes the Akha structural laws for maintaining village harmony, human relations, tradition and care for the environment, as well as proverbs and herbal knowledge - the elders are the link of tradition to community.

Many 'hill tribe elders’ live in particularly remote highland areas and can't access the services that potentially could be provided. There is also a lack of communication between them and the government, they are highly marginalized and we have found neither the quality of life or life expectancy improving.

Land rights issues have forced highland communities out of traditional farmlands. Low esteem has set in and drug problems have soared. This development has particularly affected the poor, the weak and the elderly. The fragmentation and break up of society and family structure has put the elders in dire consequences because they have been traditionally cared for. They have been forced 'out of retirement' to resume work in the fields (sometimes the cities) and often have to support grand children whose parents have died of Aids.

 AFECT has worked with the tribal elders since 1996 and we are expanding our involvement in elderly-support, urging public and private organizations as well as the hill tribe community to realize the seriousness of the situation. It is paramount we supply continuous basic health care, emotional support and financial assistance to the underprivileged elders.

Objectives

  • To help the elders find more suitable occupations.
  • Medical support.
  • To promote the acceptance of their role in the Akha community.
  • Village pigs and clothing schemes.

 

Target Area

Chiang Rai, Lampang, Chiangmai and Phreh.

Activities

    • Supporting the elders in finding more appropriate occupations ensuring better income.
    • Increasing the general public’s knowledge of the current situation thus pressuring the government to take action in providing better health care.
    • Teaching the elders about basic health care.
    • Supplying health care.
    • Promoting the acceptance of the role of Akha elders and sharing their wisdom with the younger generation.