UPLift--Poverty Alleviation For The Ultra-Poor

UPLift is a program designed to empower communities on the Thai/Burmese border that lack food security, opportunities for income, and education. Through the use of small grants and skills trainings, these families receive the opportunity to pull themselves out of poverty without having to rely on external aid indefinitely.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Happy Song Kran

It is April, which in Thailand means only one thing: Song Kran!  The Buddhist New Year in Southeast Asia involves festivals, paying respect to elders, and day after day of water fights.  Being the hottest part of the year, the latter is a great way to stay cool.

Source: Bangkok Post

Now that the splashing and relaxing is finished, we here at UPLift are happy to announce that Ko Lin, previously a Wide Horizons project management student, is starting work with us here in Mae Sot.  Ko Lin also served as a financial literacy trainer with women on the landfill as part of our Project Inspire grant activities, so he has a great deal of experience and know-how for the program.

Ko Lin, the newest member of the UPLift team

During April we will be speaking to the women on the landfill again about their future plans and goals, as well as beginning the process of translating the finance modules fully into Burmese.

Finally, we are looking forward to helping a CBO of ethnic Palaung members conduct their own financial literacy training for their staff.  This initial training is in preparation for future trainings inside of Shan State, Burma.
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