HISTORY OF BAHN RUAM JAI

Bahn Ruam Jai was established in 1984 in response to the expanding educational needs of northern Thailand's most significant ethnic minority group, the hill tribes. In 2001, tribal peoples numbered approximately 857,000 (approximately 1.4% of the Thai population of 62 million) and reside in more than 3,500 villages, mostly in the mountainous areas of the North. Less than one third of the population has reayd access to education, especially beyond the primary level. Health, economic, political and other opportunities are equally poor. Since 1984, the Bahn Ruam Jai Project has supported nearly 400 children in their education.
Its beginnings were indeed humble. Project staff borrowed money from friends and respected members of the local community in order to fund essentials, e.g. housing , food, education. Since then, with the aid of various organizations and individuals, the project has continued to provide these and other services to a gradually growing number of tribal children.