As we reach the end of 2024, KHT would like to thank all our supporters for their ongoing generosity, compassion and trust in our work.
This year, KHT faced a huge challenge as landslides and floods severely impacted villages in Mae Hong Son and destroyed homes, as well as KHT’s WASH systems. Your response to our appeal meant we were able to mobilise and provide vital immediately relief for effected families, including food, blankets and water. We will be returning to these villages when it is possible to rebuild and ensure communities are not left in further disadvantage. You helped us ensure more than 700 people were not left struggling to survive and were supported during devastation and trauma.
KHT as a charity also faced changes this year, and we said goodbye to both team members and trustees. Our Project Officer, Olivia, M&E Officer, Pim and Fundraising Manager, Silvia, all left their roles, and we wish them the very best in their new endeavours. Our Chair of Trustees, Beth Wiggan, along with Tom Wright, Helen Bilton, Barney Smith and John Monaghan all retired from the Board. We are truly thankful for the hard work, passion and commitment all our former staff and trustees have shown KHT. Their contributions over the years have been invaluable and have helped us change lives. We welcome three new trustees to the board; Matt Jenkins our former Interim Director, Harriet Weller who previously worked as Communication Officer and Ed Holroyd-Pearce who was a previous volunteer. We have also recruited a new Fundraising Manager, and look forward to introducing them to you.
Our new project season has begun, but before the rainy season KHT completed 7 WASH systems, providing clean water to 1498 people and 6 irrigation systems, that will improve livelihoods for over 1240 people. Through our Scholarships Programme, 19 Karen youth were able to graduate and we have now enrolled new students to benefit from our programme. KHT also welcomed a group of volunteers on our July project in Mae Mae Sa Kud village and not only was the village thrilled to host and work with them, the volunteers also benefited from learning about Karen culture and hospitality.
This year KHT included more additional support for villages via First Aid and Livelihoods training, we also trialled using two new filters to make water safer and we implemented our Deworming Project for the second year. These new aspects bring challenges, but your support means we can provide the most appropriate support for our Karen beneficiaries and ensure we are listening to their needs.
As we go into 2025, we are excited to see how we will continue to develop and we are committed to ensuring we provide the same high quality interventions that change the lives of marginalised Karen people. Your support means KHT can continue and through us, Karen communities can thrive. Thank you for being on this journey with us!
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