About the AKHA Foundation

The Akha Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of Akha people's lives. It promotes formal education, savings and credit scheme, health and sanitation; and works to eradicate drug use, promote environmental awareness, and preserve the unique Akha culture and tradition. At present, there are 91 Akha villages from nine districts in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai provinces that are actively working towards sustainable community development. The Director of the Akha Foundation is Mr. Yotsaphong Kukaewkasem, shown on the right.

Background of the AKHA Foundation

Akha Kinship and Holistic Alternatives Foundation (AKHA Foundation) registered as a non-profit and non-government organization with the government on February12, 2004. Previously, AKHA foundation has been recognized as a public benefit organization on February17, 2006 according to the section 34 of the social welfare Act 2003. An AKHA Foundation belief in the value of the individual Sine 1981 was known as the Development and Education Project for Akha (DAPA). AKHA Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of Akha people's lives. It promotes formal education, savings and credit scheme, health and sanitation; and works to eradicate drug use, promote environmental awareness and preserve the unique Akha culture and tradition. At present, there are 91 Akha villages from 9 districts in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai Provinces and that are actively working towards sustainable community development.

Vision

To honour and believe in the value of the human being and encourage the Akha people be proud of their way of life.

Mission

The Akha Foundation exists for the Akha society to develop human resources, succeed to cultural heritages, and strengthening the community.

Objectives of the AKHA Foundation

1. To strengthen gender equality within Akha communities in order to encourage the participation of both men and women in holistic community development.
2. To raise awareness on and prevent AIDS and drug use by cooperation with government organizations and NGOs.
3. To give the needy and underprivileged Akha youth from disadvantaged communities for the education opportunity.
4. To encourage and promote the preservation of Akha culture and heritage.
5. To be intermediary organization for the public benefits with other social organizations.
6. To promote constitutional democracy with the fairness of the royal monarchy without regarding to political concerns.

Strategies of the AKHA Foundation

1. To strengthen the social fabric, culture, and natural environment of the Akha community.
2. To promote equality of Akha peoples' rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
3. To provide Akha youth with the education opportunity.
4. To promote self-sufficient community economies

Last updated 4/18/07)