A new lease on life

In the rural backwater of Charoen Sin, a district in Sakon Nakhon, a dusty road leads to a sprawling compound dominated by a large building chock full of ceramic jars and pots and all manner of attractive handicrafts made by villagers in this part of Isan. Tourists in the know who believe in getting value for their money often make it a point to visit this place, the Ban Khut Na Kham Centre.

Named after the village in which it is located and set up under the auspices of Her Majesty the Queen's SUPPORT Foundation (Foundation for the Promotion of Supplementary Occupations and Related Techniques) back in 1983, the centre helps farmers supplement their income by teaching them useful skills like weaving, wood-carving and the making of bricks, ceramic ware and artificial flowers.
The main responsibility of Captain Pradit Pimpakarn, who has worked at the centre for seven years, is marketing the products made there.
"I've noticed that villagers who learn a new skill from which they can earn money tend not to gamble or drink as much as they used to," said Pradit, an officer on secondment from the army.
"Her Majesty has a special place in her heart for poor people. That's why projects like this which offer supplementary occupations and related skills training have directly benefited the poor in more ways than one. We help them to market their products through a number of outlets including the Chitralada Palace Centre. People living not just in Ban Khut Na Kham but in other villages far and near have received a new lease on life, thanks to this project."
There are currently 282 full-time workers and nine instructors at the centre. Apart from Charoen Sin, the artisans also hail from neighbouring communities like Sawang Daen Din and Wanon Niwat. Training is offered free of charge but to get on the pay roll applicants must prove that they are in dire financial straits. No limit has been put on the number of people who can be so employed. Salaries - which start from 2,400 baht per month - are increased annually if an individual has demonstrated the ability to upgrade his/her skills and increase productivity.
By: Story and photos YVONNE BOHWONGPRASERT