Microenterprise Development

Know of any western businesses looking to import Karen fabric, knit bags, or Hill Tribe coffee beans? Connecting needs to resources is what we do. Not only could this provide a sustainable income for the village, but this would be keeping them from growing "alternative crops" which are much more profitable, but as we know, life-destroying.

From the rudimentary loom to the shop. This Karen Hill tribe lady makes handbags for sale to the random tourists who happen to stop by their village. Following the protests, tourism has reportedly declined 80%.



Here is a coffee business that has just launched, but are seeking a larger contract.



For inquiries, email Enablers Asia at the address above.

Earthquakes & Bridges

Safe structures are usually an afterthought in a western country, but in a third world where even the slightest earthquake causes the collapse of buildings, this is the reality. Lori has been studying local designs and re-engineering them with simple modifications that could easily prevent these events from becoming a disaster and save many lives.

For instance, take this bridge which Lori red-tagged. See the sag in the middle?



Before our arrival it was reported to flex as vehicles drove across it. Needless to say demolition has begun! Our friend, Bob, a retired Civil Engineer graciously made himself available for additional consultation for a replacement. Thanks Bob! If you know of any professionals who would like to assist with design, engineering, business or agricultural projects, reply to find out more.

Through us being able to be here, we were able to keep a bus-load of 30 children from crashing through this bridge into the creekbed! Not only would many have been injured, but also would have caused significant damage to the recently donated bus and cost thousands to repair. We are only able to stay here and offer our services pro-bono through generous donors, like yourselves. Please consider helping us to see this and projects like this Children's Rescue Complex, through to completion.

Exploited Children's 2nd Chance

Last week we visited the newest project we'll be consulting.


Anders is consulting in holistic development, sustainability and microenterprise solutions.

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. We're showing how to reduce expense by using what's available. For instance, we'll be reusing teak lumber from this once flooded home to construct worker housing!

Lori is taking lead in designing and engineering the structures, utilities, and overall site plan.


Our goals:

• To develop the land into a holistic-sustainable ecosystem- offsetting costs of operations, creating an environment conducive to learning, providing jobs and vocational training to a previously exploited adult workforce, and ultimately giving a second chance to these once endangered children.
• To design & engineer safe children's homes, training center, kitchen, offices, workforce housing, bridges, water & sanitation systems, etc.

These projects take a lot of time to do right, which is why we're seeking outside expertise in the following areas:

• Site Planning
• Architectural Design
• Civil Engineering
• Tropical Orchard Specialist
• Sustainable Crop Planning

If you or someone you know would like to donate their time remotely or assist financially, it would make a huge impact in each of these child's lives! For more information, email us at the Enablers Asia address above.

Sick Chelsi

We arrived home to find Chelsi really sick yesterday. Our first clue was the massive amounts of dog poo and 2nd hand dog food all over the yard... Yuck! Also found a chicken bone amidst it all and we hadn't fed her any... hummmm we were wondering if someone had it out for her. We wouldn't know why as she is so well behaved & hardly barks. She was very lethargic and would hardly move, so we prayed for her to be healed. Right when we said "Amen". She got up and ran off to go find her ball! Proves that God not only cares so much about people, but about His creatures too!

She's doing much better now.

Disaster Relief Training on Sphere Standards

This past week, Anders trained the disaster relief team on increasing quality and accountability through Sphere Humanitarian Relief Response Standards. He figured, why re-invent the wheel, when extensive and quality research has already been done?

What Is Sphere
Sphere is a collaborative, time-bound project established by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 1997 to increase the quality and accountability of disaster response. It is perhaps best known for the Sphere handbook, which outlines minimum programming standards for disaster response in six key sectors: Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion; food security; nutrition; food aid; shelter, settlement and non-food items; andhealth services.

Who Uses Sphere
Sphere was endorsed by the UN agencies present, particularly for field operations. This endorsement has encouraged OCHA, UNHCR and UNICEF, in particular, to promote the use of Sphere in joint work with NGOs and governments. Sphere's emphasis on consistency, standardization and support of local systems and structures can all contribute to the process of coordination. Within the health sector, the standards promote standardization of important tools and interventions among agencies, including treatment protocols, essential drug lists, health information systems, and referral systems.

Origins
The origins of Sphere lay in the increasing number and complexity of humanitarian crises during the 1990s, which highlighted the need for greater professionalization, consistency and accountability by humanitarian agencies. Specific examples such as the refugee crisis in Goma, Zaire, in 1994 highlighted the fact that when the public health response to emergencies was poorly designed and executed, a large number of preventable deaths could occur. The growing number of humanitarian agencies, each with its own mission, strategies and systems of accountability, further complicated efforts to ensure the quality and predictability of humanitarian assistance. The science and evidence base underlying humanitarian action was relatively under developed up to this period, with few established best practices and no generally agreed upon standards.
Reference: http://www.globalhealth.org/reports/report.php3?id=152

Read More: http://www.sphereproject.org/

Calming Down?

All are asking if this might be the end to the protests. We sure hope so!

The government underestimated the potential for violence in the wake of the surrender of the red shirt leaders, the prime minister's secretary-general says.


A major centre of Bangkok’s world of glamour is no more as part of the gutted CentralWorld mall comes crashing down after a fire blazed out of control for almost 20 hours.


The widespread looting and arson, the government reported, it wasn't expecting.



As for Chiang Mai, people's nerves seem to be relaxing a little. A curfew is still in effect, the government reports, to bring back some normalcy back to the region.

What Next???

While the High Schoolers here are cheering for school-closure for tomorrow and Friday, many foreigners here are saying enough is enough. But, Thai's and foreigners alike, are all wondering... what next?

Don't worry about us though. We're in safe hands! We'll try to post periodic updates.

Bangkok- Asia's 2nd largest mall, burned to the ground

From May '10

Protests have now spread to Chiang Mai, the city where we reside.

Riot Police posted in front of the governor's house, which was later lit on fire.


Here a foreigner has had enough


Fighting with sticks and stones... and slingshots


Lovely day in front of Chiang Mai International School


The army out for a nice afternoon stroll



All TVs Switched On Govt Programmes
Published: 19/05/2010 at 07:38 PM

All state-run radio and television networks were instructed to cease their regular programming and switch to special programme arranged by the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation on Wednesday evening.

The move was part of effort by the government to try to bring the ongoing political crisis under control, government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said.

Although some key leaders of the red-shirt protesters surrendered to police in the afternoon, other die-heart protesters refused to budge and went on a rampage by torching about 20 buildings in downtown Bangkok and vandalising other public properties.

Speakers who appeared on the special television programmes this evening called for restoration of national unity so that the country could move forward after a day of violence and destruction.

If you'd like to read minute by minute events, check out our newssources:
http://www.bangkokpost.com

Or translated minute by minute updates here in Chiang Mai.