The fair was organized on October 13th at Ban Mae Surin, Khun Yuam District, and on December 1st, 2017 at Ban Mai Nai Soi camp, Muang Mae Hong Son. The events consisted of interesting activities: the exhibition of livelihood production that enable the producers and farmers to disseminate their knowledge and skills to others; to generate income; and to do marketing by convincing customers to buy their products; to meet more people and to do networking for expanding their sales. This should also provide motivation for youth who hope to develop and improve their skills for future career. COERR has asked the participants about their most interesting activities in which the answers were pig raising, planting, fish and frog raising, and weaving, etc. respectively. In addition to exhibition of products, there were cooking contests to have refugee participants use their creativity in cooking clean and healthy dish in beautiful appearance, which have drawn unity and help among contestants.

   There were also Karenni cultural show by elderly and children who would like to preserve their traditional art of performance. Moreover, there were fashion show in which refugees’ products, e.g. vegetables, soap, bags, etc. were used. Above all, the Livelihood Fair in the Livelihood program opens refugees’ perspective in skills training for producing; and marketing skills that include how to promote selling in order to get income and become self-reliant in the future.

   The Agricultural groups open their shops and have good sale because their farm products are not only chemical-free, but also look healthy. The animal raising groups brought their fish and frogs to display and sell. The non-agricultural groups open sewing shop, sell candles and soap, etc.

Many refugees visiting and shopping at the Livelihood Fair. staffs also supported the refugees’ products by buying their products.

   Livelihood Fair in Ban Mae Surin camp, Mae Hong Son Province, was organized on October 13, 2017, has about 400 participants visiting and shopping the agricultural and consumable non-agricultural products. The livelihood exhibition convinced the participants of the advantage of livelihood skills which can equip the refugees with self-reliant capacity when they return to homeland or resettle to the third country.

Refugee children’s performance

Elderly’s Performance

Food Cooking Contest

The refugee judges and contestants with the awards