HEPA (Human Ecology Practical Area) Farmer Field School (FFS) is a pioneering training dedicated to strengthen indigenous youth. HEPA FFS lies at the heart of the 6 inter-thematic networks action of Mekong Community Network Action for Ecological Trading (MECO-ECOTRA).
Overuse of resources and the lack of a caring attitude towards Human-Nature relationships in many sensitive watershed ecosystems have been the major causes leading to land desertification problems, gradual erosion of social traditions, and the losses of ecological biodiversity.
Long Lan village in the thinking and feeling of a Vietnam staff who come back after a long time
02/04/2014
Because of work, study and family situation, today I just have had the opportunity to come back to Long Lan to visit and work with the villagers. How my feeling is excited, cheerful and expectant. It was five years since I have met everyone there; I had to hurry up to remember again my Thai language to greet and inquire of the elders in my limited Thai language. Everyone is happy and I also feel very happy. Compared with before, the village population has increased. There are now 72 households with 439 individuals including 279 women (2014). Every face of the villagers is in smile and happiness; sometimes a little sadness, but it seem that confidence is more and more obvious on their faces.
The first thing that makes me happy is the friendly look of the elders and children and the faces of those who I met before, they smile very nice and unaffectedly. Mr. Xaikhu’s voice and his personality are still very sturdy. I was glad to see that the villagers still can use well the water supply system.
The community pig feeding area with black forest pigs should be learnt by other villages in Laos and Vietnam. Organic vegetable production method in this village should be spread more widely.
FFS-Long Lan landscape is very beautiful, from toilet, kitchen to everything surrounding. The food which is made by villagers is very nice. Many healers, government officers, and even visitors from Germany and France admire this farm.
Source: FFS representative from Vietnam (SPERI)
The nextgenerationofLongLan
Watercolumn of Long Lan
HerbalWorkshop
The core team
Mrs. Tu Kien visited Long Lan village with twojournalistsCCFD
Mrs. Tu Kien donated a handmade paintings for FFS - Long Lan