In July 2019, COERR Mae Sot organized several training concerning the traditional livelihood activities for the displaced persons such as rice cultivation, waist loom weaving, balm making and washing liquid for household use which can be income generation activities in the community rather than leaving communities to get a job.

   On July 12th, a training in “Youth Learning to Grow Rice” was organized in Ban Nupo Temporary Shelter in Tak Province’s Umpang District in which 75 displaced persons, comprising high school teachers and students, numbering 161 of 86 female and 75 male, attended. This activity was jointly conducted by COERR and the “Power Youth Group”, teachers and farmers who realized the importance of Karen tradition and wished to preserve their traditional agriculture and livelihood that should lead to their future sufficiency and sustainable way of life. The participants had learned to practice growing rice in the real fields that enabled them to realize how important it was to continue the traditional life, preserve traditional way of growing rice and understand the concept of sufficiency economy.

The Power Youth Group was Planting Rice in Nupo Camp

   In Umpiem Temporary Shelter, Tak Province’s Pobpra District, COERR has organized the training of dishwashing liquid and laundry liquid making for youth to learn to acquire skills in producing these household liquids for their own use and for earning some income to support their family.The dishwashing liquid making class was organized on July 20th for 65 participants of 44 female and 21 male youth.

Youth in Umpium Learn how to Make Dish Washing Liquids

   Later, on July 26th, the laundry liquid making class was organized for 60 interested youth comprising 38 female and 22 male.

Youth in Umpium Learn How to Make Laundry Liquids

   COERR also supported youth in Umpiem to help the Elderly in their community to prepare soil nutrient for growing rice, twice in July 2019. On July 5th, there were 17 young participants of 10 female and 7 male, and on July 19th there were 16 interested participants of 10 female and 6 male. This voluntary service has promoted youth to understand the need of the elderly in their community and strengthen their relationship.The activity had youth to survey the houses of some needy elderly who were in need of help with gardening and make an appointment. On an appointment date, the youth paid a visit to the Elderly house, started their discussion and then provided service in the garden preparation by mixing soil with compost, shovel them together and form garden rows to be ready to plant.

Youth in Umpium help the Elderly to Prepare their Vegetable Gardening

   This month, COERR also supported elderly to come to make balm for their own use, to relieve muscle pain, cramps, minor dizziness, insect bites, etc. The activity was initially organized in Umpiem Zone A on July 12th, had 26 elders of 16 female and 10 male. Another training was held on July 26th, had 20 elderly of 7 female and 13 male. This activity focused on elderly gathering for discussion and get the work done together in order to relax and get the product for their own use.

Balm Making at Umpiem Zone A

Balm Making at Umpiem Zone B

   The last activity of July was to carry out the “Waist Loom Weaving” which is a unique way of Karen people. They started with dyeing their threads with natural color herb. Then they waist weave their threads to make beautiful clothes and other products in different designs for daily use.

   This activity was organized during July 23rd -24th in Nupo Shelter. The first day was about how to make the waist loom and the second day was about how to weave. There were 50 interested elderlies attending, of which 43 were female and 7 were male.

The last but not least worth preserving culture of “Waist Loom Weaving” at Nupo Camp

Installing a Loom

“Waist Loom Weaving”