Video Media for Sharing Our Work and Community Stories presents the work of the Upland Holistic Development Foundation (UHDF), along with the stories, ways of life, and experiences of ethnic communities in the areas where we work. Through real images, voices, and stories from the field, the videos help audiences understand UHDF’s approach to community development, environmental restoration, community economic development, rights and networks, and improving the overall quality of life of local communities.
For 30 years, Upland Holistic Development Foundation (UHDF) has worked alongside ethnic communities in the highlands, growing from a few communities into a wider network of collaboration.UHDF focuses on four key areas: environmental restoration, economic and livelihood development, rights and community empowerment, and spiritual restoration. Through partnerships with communities and various sectors, UHDF seeks to strengthen communities, improve quality of life, and promote self-reliance.After 30 years, our success is reflected in stronger communities, sustainable resource management, and a shared future for people and nature.
This video captures the 30-year journey of the Upland Holistic Development Foundation (UHDF) through activities and stories of working alongside highland communities. It reflects UHDF’s role not simply as a “helper,” but as a “companion on the journey,” growing, learning, and developing together with communities to create lasting change and a sustainable future.
The story of the Mae Ta Chang VSLA Savings Group, a diverse community where Akha, Lahu, and Shan people live together in the Mae Ta Chang watershed.The savings group plays an important role in building financial discipline and family stability. Members save money together each month and can borrow from the group fund when needed, to invest in livelihoods or help ease household expenses.Now in its fourth year, the group has more than 20 members. It reflects the community’s spirit of cooperation, self-reliance, sharing, and mutual support, working together to build greater stability and improve their quality of life.
This video tells the story of Huai Muang Community and its transition from monocropping to Agroforestry, integrating trees, food crops, and cash crops in the same area. Agroforestry helps strengthen food security, restore soil fertility, and reduce the risks of relying on a single crop. It also provides families with income while supporting the conservation of natural resources, creating a more sustainable future for the community.
This video tells the story of community development in the highlands of the Mae Yang Min Watershed, Chiang Rai Province, led by the Upland Holistic Development Foundation (UHDF). The approach focuses on holistic development by strengthening communities through the Six-Chapter Curriculum and VSLA savings groups, managing natural resources through nurseries and agroforestry plots, and promoting supplementary livelihoods such as stingless bee keeping and Back yard farming to strengthen food security. The development process is driven by collaboration among community members and church leaders, who serve as role models and connect faith with caring for the land, creating livelihoods, and improving quality of life toward stronger and more sustainable communities.
Nurseries: Learning to Care for Forests
The Upland Holistic Development Foundation (UHDF), together with Wiang Pa Witthaya School, promotes tree nurseries as a hands-on learning space for students to grow and care for seedlings.
Beyond producing trees, the nursery helps young people understand the value of forests and take part in restoring and caring for their community’s natural resources—building the next generation of environmental stewards.
This video tells the story of farmer groups in the Mae Na Wang headwaters, Chiang Mai Province, who have transformed challenges related to agricultural land into an opportunity to develop sustainable Agroforestry. By working together, farmers have developed livelihoods while using the land responsibly and protecting the forest.
Farmers grow coffee alongside native trees, complemented by other cash crops such as tea and macadamia. This approach increases biodiversity while generating income for families. Today, more than 150 families cultivate over 1,300 rai, with support from the Upland Holistic Development Foundation (UHDF) through training, water systems, and group management.
Agroforestry not only provides income and greater stability for the community, but also encourages forest conservation and systematic wildfire prevention, helping people and nature thrive together sustainably.
The story of “Khao Puk,” a traditional Lahu food that represents happiness, unity, and sharing. Khao Puk is an important part of traditional celebrations, especially the Lahu New Year and Christmas celebrations.
Khao Puk is made by pounding freshly steamed sticky rice in a large wooden mortar, with people of all ages coming together to prepare it. The rice is then mixed with sugar, sesame seeds, and grated coconut. During Christmas, Khao Puk is also prepared as “food to give,” shared with Christmas Carol singers as a symbol of love, connection, and generosity within the community.
Khao Puk is more than just food. It is a part of Lahu culture and way of life, bringing people together and preserving traditions from one generation to the next.
The story of Ban Huai San, a small community in Mae Na Wang Subdistrict, Mae Ai District, Chiang Mai Province, located in the border area between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Its remote location creates challenges in accessing basic infrastructure and government services, particularly roads, transportation, and essential utilities.
Despite these challenges, community members continue to work together to develop their community, build self-reliance, and draw on knowledge passed down through generations to manage local resources, particularly water resources.
The story of Ban Huai San reflects the voice of a marginalized community seeking equal opportunities and access. Though small and remote, the community is home to people with hope, resilience, and the potential to shape their own future.
