The Akha hilltribe people, one of 6 major tribal groups found in Thailand, have traditionally been a nomadic people, moving from place to place as the situation warranted. Their need for money was minimal as they lived off the land, and expenses were low. In today's world, their lives are changing for many reasons. Governments have established new laws that prohibit them from moving from place to place, technology and globalization are affecting even the most remote areas, schools are being established within easy reach of the villages, and clean water and electricity have been introduced into most villages. All of the above contribute to an overall situation that requires the Akha to depend upon a cash economy as well as their traditional reliance on the land.

To respond to some of the problems that have arisen because of the need for an increased cash income and the stresses that have arisen, missionaries and NGO's (Non-Government Organizations) have tried to reach out in various ways to provide income-producing projects that are appropriate for each village. The goal of these programs generally is to provide training in skills and management in such a way that the nationals themselves can take over the running of these programs down the line. Akha Craft was begun in about 1994 but went on hiatus for about 5 years between 1996 and 2001. In 2001, Ruth Fox and family moved to Chiang Rai and, discovering the seeds of this program still intact, she helped to revive it until today it has five full-time employees and provides income to 100 - 200 women in many Akha villages across the north.

The goals of the program are five-fold: 1) to encourage Akha women to value their traditional handicraft skills; 2) to promote creativity 3) to enhance leadership skills; 4) to give the women pride in who they are as Akha women; and 5) to show God's love. The craft program gives many women a choice. They may not have to sit at the side of the road with their children running around them while they try to sell a few pieces of fruit, or "sell their children" because they cannot take care of them, or worse. The practical benefits are that there are women who are able to send their children to school, buy milk for their children, pay for the electricity in their homes, and provide necessary funds for hospital visits or medicine when necessary. In addition, the Akha community is helped as many of these women choose to use part of their income to help support their community activities.

Last updated 4/13/07)