During our time spent in Thailand we have had the opportunity to visit multiple non-profit organizations. The first one being HADF: Hill Area and Community Development Foundation. During our time at the retreat center, we were honored to have the opportunity to have received a visit from the founder of HADF and learn more about the mission and beginnings of the organization. Kuhn Duenjai Deetate (Kru Dang) shared her journey as a volunteer with the hill tribe communities which then later manifested into the start of HADF. Kru Dang talked about how it wasn’t just about the theory of the communities of Thailand but it was the practice of learning from the people – including the children. One of her goals was to emphasize the importance of shifting from assimilation to a multicultural learning system that has developed into spaces where multiple communities are able to learn and live among one another. She discussed the common factor of the importance of simplicity and peacefulness with mother earth among many Hill tribe communities. Which is something that we got the opportunity to witness and learn from, and is something I value and will take with me and as I move throughout my life. Our time at HADF was not only an incredible learning experience but we were also surrounded by a truly amazing community of people.

The Center for Girls was another non-governmental organization that so graciously invited us into their space in the city of Chiang Khong to learn more about what they do as an organization. The founder of the Center for Girls, Nunnaree Luangmoi, shared her story of starting as a youth volunteer in 1997 and then later opening an organization that focuses on topics such as gender equality and child protection. This includes issues such as child prostitution, sex trafficking, child marriage and domestic violence. When asked about how the organization worked to tackle these issues, she discussed how they go into villages and communities to work with them and start committees of community members that will play an active role in advocating for personal and communal issues. How a case is handled once the organization is aware is done on a case by case basis, considering the severity and needs of those involved. The founder has been operating the Center for Girls for twenty five years and continues to make a lasting impact.