Projects Completed!

 2008

 Flower Garden Program for Korean Orphans, Shiheung, Korea 

 An educational program begun in 2006 to assist Korean orphans to learn English as a way to help them to enter college or find employment, and end the cycle of poverty. Headed up by Mrs. Lee, Ja Yeong, we began with one teacher and increased to 4 or 5, depending upon the time of year; and we added two camps during the summer and winter at Dogo Hot Springs. Mrs. Lee, who has worked with the orphanage for many years will continue the English learning program. She has, and will continue to work wonders in the lives of destitute children.

 2007 

Bamboo House Project – Huay Nam Khao, Petchabun Province, Thailand

Congratulations to all who worked to bring the Bamboo House Project at Huay Nam Khao to successful culmination! The project was a collaboration between Hmong American groups, including Minnesotans Tsong Sawh Lo, Fundraising Director for the project; Vang Lo, President of the Hmong 18 Council; Soliving Kong, Vice President of the Council; and Laura Xiong, Hmong International Human Rights Watch, CARE Raks Thai, and ITF.  A total of $60,000 USD in funds donated through Hmong 18 Council by Hmong American individuals and CARE Raks Thai. Ann Peters of ITF coordinated the project. Seventy families began moving on June 25, and by July 6, all people had moved to the new site, some staying with relatives until their houses are complete. The houses serve 3,000 families or approximately 8,000 people.

The fresh new bamboo houses in neat rows look attractive and inviting, and the location at the top of the mountain, overlooking a deep green valley lends a sense of beauty to the site. Here and there are the beginnings of gardens and plantings people have planted to supplement their diets. The Army has also built three cultural practice buildings for people to use.

Ann Peters of ITF, coordinated the Hmong Bamboo House Project

 

Microcredit: Fundraising with Soonchunhyang University Profs – Cambodia & Thailand

The SCH profs have now begun their Expats Helping Hands organization, reaching out to communities in need. They certainly helped to get things started for ITF in Southeast Asia!

 

2006

Community Gardening Project with Native Americans (Pojoaque, New Mexico)

     A project to reinitiate small gardens with an emphasis on indigenous knowledge and seed saving. On a larger level the Pojoaque Administration has initated a farmer’s market, focusing on local economies. (localization)