Hlo Yo Village, Chiang Rai
Hlo Yo (pronounced Law-Yo) Village is located on the Doi Mae Salong hills close to the Myanmar border in Chiang Rai province of Thailand. This village is an Akha hill tribe village where there still remains a traditional way of life. Because of this the village is a sightseeing attraction that tourists come and visit. Local people here are used to visitors or tourists who come and leave everyday. Unfortunately the village earns very little income from this as people just take photos then leave.
Pragasit, a member of the community would like to take the opportunity of generating some income from tourism by building a clay house museum to showcase local artifacts. Yo Han intends to preserve Akha culture so it will be a reminder for future generations. Moreover, tourists that come to visit the village can learn all about Hlo Yo village and the Akha hill tribe from this museum. The museum collection will include ancient tools and indigenous products as well as serving as tourist service centre.
This loan will help finish and furnish the Local Museum. All items will be stored in proper displays that help preserve the artifacts with descriptive information being provided in bilingual signage. The loan will be paid back through the money generated from the modest museum entrance fee from individual and group tourists. As well as repaying the loan part of the income will be put aside into a community mutual fund so the whole community will have long term benefit from this project.