Another journey

Driving down to the village some 200 kms from home is a challenge but to prove the power of communities is more challenge to me. Then I spent five days building two living weirs in a small village with no electricity and no phone signal. Feeling like living in an amazing world.

Many local people and organizations come to work together as volunteers. So it was very impressive to meet new friends and network. I was surrounded with  strangers but felt comfortable with sincere smiles and greetings.

Very lovely to walk along a small dirt way in the wood in a foggy morning to the weir site and walk back home in late evening under the beautiful moonlight.

The weirs were built to solve the problems of drought in summer and flood in rainy season. It is not just a weir but it is the tool to bring in cooperation and the belief of people power where villagers know their potential to work out their own problems.

Water security...

We recently completed our research entitled " Participation process in solving the lack of water in Lisu Wiang Klang Village, Mae Kao Tom sub- district, Chiang Rai, Thailand" and shared our research in a conference.

We belief that the small thing we work together on water security at the local level will directly or indirectly contributed to the water security of the nation at the end. I would like to share our work through a poster to all of you.

 We would like to highlight WKMODEL which particularly contributed to the success of  water security at The Lisu Wiang Klang Village. Hope it can be applied to other communities with similar context.

For my Beloved King

Along my journey, some sad events happens some days. But yesterday was the saddest day for me as we lost our beloved Great King.The great King will always be in the heart of me and Thai people in many generations to come.

I will follow his kind words for the journey of my life.

Living Weir and Shan people in Maehongson

I had a chance to share the concept and experiences of living weir to  at Institute of Shan Study, Maehongson Community College, Maehongson Province  on Monday 6th September 2016.  Leaders and representative from eight communities,  Administrators and staff of Maehongson Community College, local officers and local teachers  joined the meeting.

The Mahongson River which is the main water supply for them are now at a crisis. Many ideas, proposed project were discussed after their surveys along the river. People face great flood in rainy season  and lack of water in dry season. Also there were conflicts among the people utilized  water from the river.  

 After their presentation and updated on water situation. Living wier was introduced to the forum and they were very interested in it. However some still feel doubtful so I guess  more information and experiences needed.

Even it is not the first time to Maehonson, it was a great and impressive  time for me. I do love this small, peaceful, beautiful culture, tradition, humble  and friendly town of Maehongson. Shan food and dessert are good, Shan costumes are very shaming, Shan temples are unique and green environment is very lovely.

  I am sure I will go back to learn and share with them for many times in the future.

Shan Kanom wrapped  in bana leaf

Shan Kanom called "Suai Ta Min"

Shan Temple 

Lunch

the meeting

people ideas

roles of women

sharing ideas

the place for meeting: Institute if Shan Study

learning and sharing

Living Weir... living all together

Along the way of my working with IDPs, I got to know more vulnerable people. Also I learned that many places, communities and villages are facing lack of water.

By chance I got to know Thailand Living Weir Network and this has changed my working idea on drought and water problems in the villages. " You and I must live together" is one of the main concept of living weir besides exposure from inside, starting from simple things and using resources in the context of each village.

Living weir then become a movement on environment by local people. The weir designed from the stream and surrounding resources . Using bamboos, sand ,bag   and ropes  for weir foundation with steps in front of the weir and at the back of it. Plant banyan trees along the both sides of the stream as  the roots will take places of the sand bags later on. Banyans also keep water and moisture in the soil so other trees can grow along both side of the stream. The weir will raise up water level to the sides which can keep both side moisture for at least two kilometers.This will help created fertile forest  and help enhancing food security of the villages. More than this living weir is a tool for villagers to be independent from top- down development as the weir belong to villages and communities.

Building living  bring water, plants, animals, human being and nature to live together in harmony.  The weir also bring in cooperation among the villagers, local organizations and other people. The hand in hand activity is very powerful to keep our country strong and peaceful.