WHAT WE DO
It all begins with water
In the far north, mountainous region of Thailand you will find 20 different indigenous tribes including the Karen, Lahu, Akha, Hmong, Lisu, Mien and Padaung. Most of the million plus villagers live below recognized poverty levels in remote villages that lack clean water, schools and healthcare. The Lanna Foundation, along with our Thailand-based partner – the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF), offer these industrious villagers hope and a path out of poverty to a sustainable future.
This path begins with clean water, which creates a ripple effect. Once clean water flows freely, children who no longer have to walk miles each day to collect water can attend school, farmers can consider cash crops such as coffee and women can open micro-enterprise businesses. This holistic approach doesn’t just meet basic needs—it ignites lasting change, giving these villages the tools to rise above hardship and reclaim their future.
Clean Water
Since 1992, our Thailand-based partner – the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation or ITDF – has empoweredover 296 villages, 11,586 families and 78,215 villagersto begin their journey out of poverty.
Typically, the path out of poverty begins with a discussion with village leaders on how we can partner together to bring clean water to their village and ultimately extends to other ways our foundations can assist. Beginning with the clean water project, a partnership is built on mutual respect. The overarching goal is to see each village thrive as a self-reliant community.
Village transformation projects start at $15,000. Donors may fund an entire project or support individual elements.
- Water system: $9,000
- Family latrines: $4,000
- Gardens or fishponds: $1,000
- Community training programs: $1,000
Clean Water
Since 1992, our Thailand-based partner – the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation or ITDF – has empoweredover 296 villages, 11,586 families and 78,215 villagersto begin their journey out of poverty.
Typically, the path out of poverty begins with a discussion with village leaders on how we can partner together to bring clean water to their village and ultimately extends to other ways our foundations can assist. Beginning with the clean water project, a partnership is built on mutual respect. The overarching goal is to see each village thrive as a self-reliant community.
Village transformation projects start at $15,000. Donors may fund an entire project or support individual elements.
- Water system: $9,000
- Family latrines: $4,000
- Gardens or fishponds: $1,000
- Community training programs: $1,000
Education & social development
Once a village has clean water, our partnership with a village turns to education and the Ripple Effect begins. Since most villages lack schools, we step in—constructing schools, hiring educators and providing the supplies and resources children need to learn, grow, and thrive. Education opens the door to citizenship, acceptance into Thai society, and the chance to build a brighter life.
Continuing to work closely with village leaders, ITDF identifies what their communities truly need, from health and nutrition training to social development programs and skills for small businesses. Every project is guided by the villagers themselves, giving them the power to shape their own futures. Through education and community development, these villages are not just surviving—they’re laying the foundation for generations of hope, opportunity and self-determination.
You can change lives by sponsoring a community, agriculture projects or a teacher for $25 – $500.
- Sponsor a community: $20 – $500
- Support Agriculture: $20 – $500
- Sponsor a teacher: $20 – $500
Hands To Heart
“The Hands to Heart Hill Tribe Women’s Cooperative was created to empower women to transform their lives, support their families, and inspire their communities, said Debbie Tingley, the programs’ Director. She continued “Many of these women face poverty and social barriers, yet within the cooperative, they encourage and uplift one another—sharing guidance, motivation, and hope as they pursue their dreams.”
Become a part of our community by sponsoring Hands to Heart Micro Enterprise Training for $25-$500. You can also empower the members of the cooperative by purchasing their handicrafts.
Hands To Heart
“The Hands to Heart Hill Tribe Women’s Cooperative was created to empower women to transform their lives, support their families, and inspire their communities, said Debbie Tingley, the programs’ Director. She continued “Many of these women face poverty and social barriers, yet within the cooperative, they encourage and uplift one another—sharing guidance, motivation, and hope as they pursue their dreams.”
Become a part of our community by sponsoring Hands to Heart Micro Enterprise Training for $25-$500. You can also empower the members of the cooperative by purchasing their handicrafts.