About Ayui
The Ayui Foundation was established and legally registered as a non-religious, non-profit organization in 2007 by an Australian-Thai woman who has been working with the Akha hilltribe since 1998. The Ayui Foundation manages a hostel in Chiang Rai province, Northern Thailand, to support Akha hilltribe teenagers. We currently house 20 children, 4 boys and 16 girls. Thanks to donations and sponsors, the 2 houses and land where the children live was recently purchased, in the name of the Foundation, in Nov 2010.
Our main objective is to support the education and living costs of Akha hilltribe teenagers from poverty-stricken and/or single-parent families (including those with parents in prison), also orphans, while providing them with educational activities where they learn valuable life skills, and encourage them to preserve and practice their traditional culture.
'ayui' (pronounced ah-yer) is an Akha word that means 'older sister' as the founder prefers the children to see her more as an older sister who cares for their development, rather than an inaccessible person of authority. The name was also chosen so that Akha villagers would instantly know that it is a place for Akha people. The logo, as well, is comprised of the instantly recognizable Akha colors and silver baubles found on their traditional dress.
