Ban Phayaprai
An ongoing project of ours, organised by our Thailand manager and award-winning guide, Wipaporn (Wi), is providing support to a kindergarten in Ban Phayaprai, a remote village in a mountainous region of Thailand’s far northern Chiang Rai Province, close to Mae Salong on the Thai-Burmese border. Most of the area’s inhabitants are impoverished hill-tribe families (mainly Akha and Lisu) as local Shan people, as well as increasing numbers of refugees from over the nearby border. The centre thus provides daycare and basic education for kids, allowing both parents to go out and work. A great initiative but funding is a constant problem, so our scheme helps out with both financing and material assistance. In recent times, our contributions have helped to construct new classrooms while we’ve also provided the centre with bedding and mosquito nets as well as educational and games and sports materials and equipment.
Ban Phayaprai Children’s Centre Ban Phayaprai is a stone’s throw from the Myanmar border, beyond which, tragically, a full-scale civil war is ongoing* – hence the number of refugee families – so regrettably, you won’t find the village on our North Thailand tour itinerary and visits are by special arrangements only. The old Kuomintang town of Mae Salong, located some 20 kilometres to the south, does, however, feature on our off-the-beaten-track North Thailand tour. (*You’re forgiven for being unaware of the situation, due to an almost complete lack of coverage in the Western media. Despite some accusations of bias – yes, it does follow a firm anti-junta line – we follow the Irrawaddy News website for up-to-date info on events over the border.)
Many, many thanks to all who’ve helped out with logistics, funds and materials for this vital project and particularly to Brian, who undertook the lengthy journey to visit the Centre and present his donation in person.
