Just Projects International is working hard in Myanmar and Thailand to create a sustainable food source in the Kengtung Valley.

The Kengtung Valley Home currently has fourteen children, Joseph’s family of 5 and one other staffer named Angela who lives there. The capacity of the home is 30 children. There is a school next door, literally a 3 minute walk. It is situated in the Kengtung area, overlooking the valley.

Over Christmas 2019 we conducted a successful matching program for $20K and we would love to expand with 3-4 more acres of rice paddy. We, the local partner, have a $10 challenge grant from Hope to do this. We currently own 3 acres (in local measurements).

Costs of paddy per acre ranges between $6,500 to $35,000 USD. The current 3 acres of paddy sustains two harvests a year. We estimate 14 kilos of rice per person. The paddy looks like it will cover the current rice needs of the existing home. Increasing at least 2 more acres of rice should bring us close to have all food costs covered for this home at 14 children. It is currently planting season and we are planting our first rice crop!

We have become strongly committed to making these homes sustainable. This home has all the right elements. Easy access to school. A local council with oversight of the home and properties. A local church that supports the home. A population of high risk
children accessible.

We are also situated very near a large rice producing valley. Not every children’s home has this opportunity. The political environment is relatively stable. We have own one property in the area since 1998 with no land conflicts. This is rare! If we do well with the coming harvests, we may increase our rice paddy acquisition and help provide for some of the other nearby children’s homes too.