The Karen Hilltribes Trust

02/12/2025

Your generosity means that KHT can support vulnerable Karen families in the aftermath of disaster. We were there for the people for Ban Mae La Ka Tai after a terrifying landslide in 2024. Read about her
www.karenhilltribes.org.uk/helping-in-the-aftermath-of-disaster/

Mr Pongthep is from the village of Ban...

30/11/2025

The flooding across southern Thailand and other parts of South East Asia is a terrifying example of the ever worsening climate crisis. Our thoughts and prayers are with the hundreds of thousands of people displaced and those harmed. KHT also recognises the long term impact of such a disaster, including to livelihoods and important facilities such as water and electricity. People are left extremely vulnerable and it is very concerning.

The North of Thailand is no stranger to flooding and landslides, and this Rainy Season was longer and more brutal than ever. Many villages were left isolated and many bridges washed away and vital infrastructure damaged. As the winter months set in, those in the north can breathe a sigh of relief, but are thinking of the hundreds of thousands struggling in the south. We must all work together to support those in the global South impacted by climate change, and try to mitigate the effects we are seeing now.

28/11/2025

Sarowcha has been our ME Officer for almost 1 year now. She has helped us measure the impact of projects and communicate with beneficiaries.
"The best part of this work for me was seeing the small but real changes in the lives of people in the community. I saw villagers have access to clean water for daily use, children have water at school, and families store water for the dry season without walking far like before. Their quality of life is clearly improving. Another valuable part for me was learning from the community."
Read her diary on our blog now!
https://karenhilltribes.org.uk/meo-diary-my-first-year-at-kht/

26/11/2025

The Karen Pwo are another sub-tribe within the Karen that have their own dialect. Many people are familiar with the traditional clothing of the Karen Sgaw however, the clothing of the Karen Pwo has its own unique style.

Karen Pwo clothing is often described as “maximal style” because it is full of vibrant colours and patterns. Most of the shirt is woven with a pattern called “Teen Jok”, which is special because the front and the back have different designs. This shows the skill, patience, and craftsmanship of traditional hand-weaving.

Another unique feature of Karen Pwo clothing is the way many pieces of fabric are sewn together to make one shirt. This creates a beautiful mix of colours and patterns, making the outfit lively, eye-catching, and truly one of a kind.

24/11/2025

Did you know that the Karen word for 'chili' is 'mer saaa'?

Chili is a common crop for Karen farmers to grow during Dry Season. It requires little water compared to other crops and are fairly easy to grow. However, they are not always the most suitable for villages high up on the mountains. Chilis are a very important part of Thai and Karen cuisine, and are valuable for households as an ingredient and not just to sell.

20/11/2025

The 20th of November is World Children's Day!

We love working with Karen children and youth. They show us great examples of kindness, tenacity and ambition. We have seen children walk through flooded streams to attend school and witnessed hard working university students live away from home for many months to gain their degrees.

All children deserve to live in safety and dignity and not be denied their basic human rights. Your support helps us address some of the disadvantages facing Karen children and we are committed to continuing to support them however we can. You can help us reach more children by donating today!

19/11/2025

Today is marked as World Toilet Day.

Toilets are vital to the dignity and health of people and communities. KHT's Water Systems include providing latrines that are not only a safe place to eliminate waste but include running water to ensure better hygiene. Whilst many of us take toilets for granted, life without them is truly miserable, stressful and can cause a huge amount of stress. Our latrines provide a safe and private space for people, especially women.

18/11/2025

Mr Kongebdee has been a bus driver on our School Bus Programme for many years. He spoke with us about the benefits of the programme, the positive impact on the community and also in helping him earn more for his own family.
"I feel very thankful. The project gives me an income and also helps reduce the expenses of the villagers. Parents feel more comfortable, and the children can go to school regularly.”

You can read his story on our blog and you can help us continue to help Karen children access education by donating today!

11/11/2025

Growing and harvesting rice is a long and arduous process. Each grain is grown with care and patience. Rice is a vital staple food for the Karen and is vital to their food security. KHT's Flood Resistant Irrigation Systems provide an efficient form of water management to ensure the Karen can grow more rice both to eat and sometimes to sell. Our FRIS has helped increase rice crop production and reduce days in hunger for the Karen! You can help us reach more marginalised villages by donating today!

07/11/2025

Every day, villagers in remote Karen communities face the same challenge, finding clean water for their daily needs.
With no nearby water source, they have to walk long distances, carrying heavy containers back home, even on rainy days.
For many families, this is not a choice but a way of life a reflection of poverty and isolation that makes even basic needs like drinking water so hard to reach. 💧

04/11/2025

The KHT Team visited Ban Huay Mai Dam to see our Irrigation System in action and how it has helped the village. The fields are turning golden, the harvest has begun and this is a beautiful sign of how our project is supporting the community!🌾💧

03/11/2025

With so many Karen villages located in remote mountainous areas, getting to school can be a real challenge! KHT's School Buses ensure Karen children do not miss out on attending school and have the same access to education as other children. It costs just £28 year to ensure a child can be safely transported to school and home. Help us continue this vital service by donating today!