Project Access Safety Net Rural Elderly & Disabled

Our Emergency Response team has completed initial village assessments and held planning sessions with local sub-district officials to implement training in three remote mountain areas.

Prolonged rains delayed progress, but final schedules are now in place. Once weather permits, we will begin training 50 local residents in first aid, evacuation, and disaster preparedness—building the capacity to support roughly 500 people. This pilot will serve as a model for expanding community-based disaster readiness across the region.

We’ve also been working closely with sub-district leaders to ensure full community support. Recent meetings have strengthened partnerships and built momentum.

During one visit, villagers specifically requested CPR training for their local volunteer health workers. In response, Mayor Kamol of the Maewan Sub-district committed to coordinating with the area’s three hospitals to provide equipment and medical supplies, while our team collaborates with McCormick Hospital for CPR training materials and technical support.

As part of our ongoing elder care work, we joined public health and Long Khot Sub-district officials on their home visits to the elderly and disabled. These visits reinforced the value of collaboration between public and community-based services, expanding our reach through shared resources.

This year also continued our successful collaboration with the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club (CMIRC) through our Children’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Program. We trained 300 fourth graders from 15 schools in Phrao in swimming and water safety, bringing our total to over 1,000 children equipped with these life-saving skills.

We welcomed Eve Fraser, Director of Oz Swim Aquatics and founder of The Global Aquatic Project in Australia. Three years ago, Eve trained 3 of our now-regular swim instructors. This time, she came to Phrao and trained 6 new teachers for international certifications, plus professional development for our 3 already certified.  She is laying the groundwork for our teachers to be qualified to teach the course and expand the base of qualified teachers in Northern Thailand.

Her training included modules on working with neurodiverse children, making the program more inclusive for special needs students who are often excluded from physical activities like swimming.

Meanwhile, Soda continues her tireless rounds—visiting nearly 100 elderly and disabled community members, delivering food, hygiene supplies, and a warm connection to those who need it most.

Thank you for standing with us as we build stronger, safer communities—together.

We’ve made it through the hot, dry season this year with less haze, thanks to early rains. With the weather shift, we’re now checking for standing water and distributing mosquito coils to help prevent dengue outbreaks. As fevers become more common with the changing temperatures, Soda is up early many mornings, taking community members to clinic and hospital appointments.

We’re pleased to welcome a new team member, Ying. With a background in organic farming, Ying brings valuable skills and extra capacity to support our Access to Care community through home visits and outreach.

In June, we enjoyed another visit from the GPSA volunteers, who helped us organize a Fall Prevention Health Fair in the Maepang sub-district. We had about 80 participants, including village health volunteers, elders, and caregivers. Activities included chair stretches, resistance band exercises, and practical techniques for assisting someone after a fall.

The reading glasses station was—as always—a big hit. We distributed nearly our entire supply, helping many elders regain the ability to read labels, newspapers, and books. We’ve now partnered with a supplier offering us a discount on our next 100 pairs.

One of our key goals this year is to build awareness and connection among local caregivers. Creating a network of trained peers gives them support, shared knowledge, and tools to make their work easier and more effective. Soda continues to meet with clinic staff in our service sub-districts to coordinate joint visits and engage more village health volunteers. Health fairs have proven to be an effective way to involve caregivers and volunteers alike.

As a reminder, village health volunteers are a core part of Thailand’s public health system—usually around 10 per village. They distribute health information, monitor mosquito breeding, and coordinate spraying during dengue outbreaks. We’re working closely with them to strengthen their engagement with elders and people with disabilities in their communities.

Planning is also underway for Emergency Response Training in remote mountain villages. While we wait for the rains to subside and roads to become passable, Soda is meeting with sub-district leaders to confirm access to target areas. Meanwhile, Usar is working with McCormick University to schedule nurse trainers and secure donations of essential supplies.

This is a highly valued program in our local rural communities, and your support makes it all possible.

With gratitude and best wishes for the summer ahead,

Dana, Michael, Evelind, and the Access to Care Team