Thailand has a population of over 60 million. The city of Chiang Mai, with a population of around 120,000, is the focal point of activity in the North. Although frequently visited by tourists who are fascinated by the picturesque hill tribes people, the area is among the most depressed in the country.

The YMCA of Chiang Mai has come a long way since it opened its doors 25 years ago. Its first activity was teaching English to pedicab drivers who paid a few Baht to cover the cost of materials. Today, the program involves 2,600 villagers around the city. The basis of their development work is to help people help themselves. They themselves must strive for self-reliance. Any success they have is theirs; the YMCA is just the spark that lit the fire!

Since the start, the program has concentrated on vocational training on the one hand and marketing services on the other. Over the years, other elements were added, including preservation of traditional handicraft production, quality control, protection and support programs for street children, community forestry, organic agriculture, microlending programs and export through alternative trade channels.

The YMCA shares Oikocredit's concept of self-reliance as a necessity for sustainable development. It was therefore no surprise that they turned to Oikocredit in 1990 for a loan to expand their craft production and marketing facilities. The $140,000 loan was used responsibly and faithfully repaid. The support of Oikocredit and its investors helped low-income craftspeople gain new income and allowed the YMCA to expand its capacity for service and witness.

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