In 2002, Thailand established the Koung Jor Shan Refugee Camp for those escaping the violence between the Burmese military and the Shan State Army. Although, tensions may have lightened with signed ceasefire agreements, the community of Koung Jor Shan still bands together and promotes self-sufficiency, sustainability and education.
Despite the unofficial nature of Koung Jor Shan, meaning that refugees are without citizenship, voting or employment rights, the Burmese Shan are still able to provide for their families, working in garlic, bean, corn and chili fields. The community welcomes the help of NGOs and non-profit organizations, like the JRS, for instance, which installed educational programs increasing refugees' self-reliance and business skills. The Branch Foundation, another non-profit organization, also further secured the refugees' livelihood by establishing two weaving centers.
The Koung Jor Shan Refugee Camp offers educational opportunities for children that would otherwise be impossible, where about only 4% of Shan State children attend school. The Branch Foundation sponsors an education program in Koung Jor Shan, providing materials, uniforms, technologies and securing volunteer teachers.
Solar Panels installed in Koung Jor Shan Refugee Camp [Photo credits: koungjor.org]
It is obvious that the refugee camp places much value in self-reliance and sustainable security. This is only further evident in the community's efforts to utilize sustainable energy, as Koung Jor Shan is the world's first solar-powered refugee camp. Being excluded from Thailand's main power grid, the community ran on kerosene lamps and candles until The Branch Foundation completed a solar panel installation project in 2012 that now offers electricity to the Koung Jor Shan residents, over 600 people. The solar energy also goes to lighting the school, monestary, TV hall, library, weaving center and supporting a solar-powered computer.
Koung Jor Shan's other sustainable efforts include a water supply system. Water actively flows between two mountains about 3.5 kilometers away from the community and is diverted by PVC pipes into 2 main storage tanks. The Branch Foundation explains the process stating, "From these storage tanks, water is distributed to 12 small tanks placed at regular intervals in the camp. Each small tank services approximately 10 households (40 people). Water from these small tanks is used primarily for bathing and washing. Water is also piped to seven latrines. The camp’s drinking water is delivered to a central location where it is filtered. This water is then sent to three water taps where it is re-filtered." The organization is currently trying in increase the number of tanks, providing enough water for household and agricultural purposes during the summer when water is harder to come by.
Additionally, Koung Jor Shan maintains a mushroom farm, which serves to further supply residents with a source of food, making them less reliant on outside food aid. The Branch Foundation is also currently piloting a biogas project in Koung Jor Shan, which will provide cooking gas to the community and feed for the local farm animals in the form of rise husks which are discarded in the biogas process.
To read more on the Koung Jor Shan Refugee Camp, visit The Branch Foundation's website at http://www.thebranchfoundation.org/projects/thai-burma-border/shan-refugee-camp/
