LIFT (Livelihood and Food Security Trust Fund) is
project under the supervision of our principal, U Nayaka. It is a joint-venture
between local and international NGO’s, led by the Myanmar NGO Pyoe Pin. It works
in, amongst others, the cyclone hit areas of the Ayawaddi Delta. Currently, it
collaborates with six different monasteries.
Targeted Villages from Mawgyun (Ayeyarwaddi division)- delta area
Self-help
groups
The principals of these monasteries have developed a
concept for income generating initiatives. These initiatives will increase the
livelihoods of the respective communities as well as develop education opportunities
for children from low income families. The rationale is straightforward. Each
of these monasteries has founded a self-help group of about eight members which
is tasked with creating income generation projects. These projects will help
the communities and self-help groups generate more income, thanks to support
for farming activities and new job opportunities. The farming support will, in
turn, also provide training and employment opportunities for landless people,
who will benefit from an increase in farming activity.
Financial Management Training for Villagers
Loan of
machinery
With the help of an ongoing project, these self-help
groups are provided with a tractor, a threshing machine, a rice mill and a satellite
phone by the monastery. The self-help groups then loan this machinery to
unemployed, impoverished or landless people, who use the machinery to work the
land, or make a livelihood by running a payphone business.
