Cafe Lahu Project Update: Fruit Tree Progress, Water Tanks, and Organic Home-Care Training

Before the end of an intense year for the Lahu community, a follow-up visit to the pilot fruit-tree reforestation and a second hands-on training supported long-term resilience, promoting sustainable practices that help reduce costs and household waste.

Over 15–16 December 2025, Ms. Boonyang, our advisor in Organic agriculture and Food processing, visited the village to review the progress of six families who have been nurturing newly planted fruit trees for the past six months. During the visit, she also inspected the construction of dry-season water tanks, designed to improve water availability when rainfall is scarce. Ms. Boonyang addressed the villagers' concerns, provided initial solutions, and committed to ongoing follow-ups.

Key outcomes from the visit:

• Progress check on fruit tree growth and care routines for six families

• On-site review of water tank construction for the upcoming dry season

• Community Q&A: concerns were heard, initial solutions were shared, and follow-ups were scheduled.

On 17 December 2025, Ms. Boonyang and Mei led a practical training session on making organic dishwashing liquid and soap. Beyond learning a new skill, this training helps families reduce day-to-day expenses and move toward greater self-sufficiency. It also supports the project’s goal of introducing more sustainable household practices—using natural ingredients and encouraging reuse of containers to help reduce packaging waste, while limiting exposure to harsh chemicals for healthier homes and a cleaner environment.

steps: We’ll continue monitoring tree growth and water storage readiness, and plan additional hands-on trainings to support sustainable livelihoods in the Cafe Lahu community.