Akha Hilltribe Aid and Experience

Description

The Akha are hill tribe of subsistence farmers known for their artistry. The ethnic group may have originated in Mongolia around 1500 years ago. Most of the remaining Akha people are now distributed in small villages among the mountains of China (where they are considered part of the Hani by the government, though this is a subject of some dispute among the Akha themselves), Laos (where they are considered Lao Sung), Myanmar (Burma), and northern Thailand, where they are one of the six main hill tribes.
The Akha began arriving in Thailand in the early twentieth century and continue to immigrate, with some 80,000 now living in Thailand's northern provinces of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai at high altitudes. Many of these villages can be visited by tourists on trekking tours from either of these cities. They speak Akha, a language in the Loloish (Yi) branch of the Tibeto-Burman family. Akha has a very closely related language with the Lisu and Lahu as they once belonged to the Lolohunter tribe people that once ruled the Paoshan and Teinchung plains before the invasion of Ming Dynasty (A.D 1644) in Yunan, China. The practice of their mythology includes ornately carved village gates made of wood where the guardian spirits are said to dwell. They have en extensive recollection of ancestors going back 15 generations and exhibited in chants.

During the 2 week project volunteers will work together with AFECT, an organisation that supports the AKHA minority group in Thailand. We will stay in one of the AFECT centres and/or in homestays. The volunteer work with AFECT is very diverse, from construction to teaching and working with the villagers, depending on the needs of the community and on your personal preferences! Of-course during these two weeks we will also visit local markets and help local initiatives.
This volunteer program requires cutural sensetivity, flexibilty and open mindnes in order to work and interact with the AKHA people.


Volunteers will stay in a Homestay or in the AFECT centre (please note that the accommodation is very basic: Thai bathrooms, with Asian toilets and ‘shower' only.

All food is included during your stay. The meals will be typical AKHA / Thai fare, including plenty of rice dishes.



FAST FACTS:

Project length: 2 weeks
Project costs: US$680 for 2 weeks
Location of project: Various villages around Chiang Rai / Northern Thailand
Arrival airport: Bangkok International Airport
Volunteer work: renovation, agriculture & environmental Work
Number of participants: 5 - 10 international volunteers
Age limit: 18 - 70
Suitable for: groups and families with children above 12


WHAT's INCLUDED:

Accommodation: homestay or at center with shared room
Food: 3 meals a day
Airport pickup: Included on arrival
Orientation kit: full project details will be sent following registration
Training: Introduction and orientation in Chiang Rai
Support: Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support


WHAT's NOT INCLUDED:

Flights, Insurance, Personal expenses, Visa (if required)

Requirements:
Min age 18
Good level of English
Motivation to work with children and meet new cultures
Full travel & medical insurance
Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

Requirements

Language

English