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.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Garden Update -- Teacher Preparation Center (TPC)

 
A healthy mix of leafy, fruit-bearing and seed-bearing crops at TPC
 
 
The Teacher Preparation Center (TPC), a teacher training center set up in Mae Sot for educators working in both Burma and Thailand, has been putting in some solid work in their Khom Loy garden project. Funded by Thai Children's Trust, this project is now starting to show some great results! 
 
Take a look at the following pictures to see their progress from January to now.  For the "before" photo album, click here.  For the updated album, click here.  Credit to Sayar Ah Bine at TPC for photos in the latter album!
 
TPC garden land before starting the project.
 
Win Ko and Mark helping out with an introductory organic theory training.
 
Students finding some shade while setting up the raised garden beds!
 
Flash-forward to March -- look at the results!
 
Using multicropping in each garden bed.
 
TPC staff decided to grow some sunflowers on site as well!  A great addition.
 


Garden Update -- Min Ma Haw School


After three months of planning and working with Khom Loy, the faculty and students at Min Ma Haw school in Mae Sot, Thailand have one of the best gardens we have ever been a part of!
 
 
They have over 15 large raised beds producing multiple types of vegetables, 10 papaya trees, a large gourd stage, a compost building, homemade organic fertilizers, a seed nursery area, a water tank and plenty of experience!  They are now able to collect a basket of vegetables every day for use in their dormitory meals.
 
 
In addition, the staff at Min Ma Haw have made this excellent slideshow to present the project, from its humble beginnings to its present-day form.  Thanks to Min Ma Haw staff and Tom Mannell for sharing these with us.  Enjoy!