ITDF: Integrated Tribal Development Foundation

16/06/2026

Restoring More Than A Roof and Four Walls

In the remote hills of Ban Klaw Lo Blur, a small village in the Tak Province, lives a humble farmer and his family. Growing up in extreme poverty, Mr. Nujaw Sombatnirun lost much of his vision at a young age due to limited access to healthcare. As a child, he worked tirelessly just to earn enough for rice and basic food to survive. He married young and together with his wife, Miss Buka Dechawelumart, they dreamed of giving their children a better life.

Today, farming remains the family’s primary livelihood, but income is irregular and often insufficient. They lived in a fragile structure with a leaky bamboo and leaf roof with no latrine. While grateful that their children were receiving education, Nujaw is struggling to send a small weekly allowance to his daughter who is studying away from home.

Through the generous supporter, the family was able to repair and upgrade their house including a latrine. “I’m so grateful,” Nujaw shared. “We could never have been able to build a safe home on our own.”

If you would like to help a family like Nujaw’s, visit https://lanfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/111864-integrated-tribal-development-foundation-itdf

09/06/2026

🌟From Struggle to Empowerment🌟

Growing up in the remote village of Ma Oh Jo, Nattawat Padee faced challenges no child should have to endure. His family of five struggled to survive on subsistence farming and access to education seemed out of reach.

Everything changed when the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation (ITDF) brought education to his village through the ITDF Ma Oh Jo School.

"One of the most important things ITDF provided for me and my siblings is access to
education that we did not have before," Nattawat shares.

Today, with his brother, sister, and now himself all graduates, their family's journey is a testament to the power of education to transform lives, break the cycle of poverty, and create lasting opportunities for future generations

But the impact didn't stop in the classroom.

Through a recent ITDF Human Trafficking Prevention training program, funded by a generous supporter, Nattawat learned how to recognize the dangers of human trafficking, protect himself online, and identify warning signs of exploitation.

"I can help others in my village with the information I gained," he says.

Armed with knowledge and confidence, Nattawat is now helping protect not only his
own future, but also the future of others in his community.

His story is a powerful reminder that when we invest in education, awareness, and
opportunity, we do more than change one life—we strengthen entire communities.

Thank you for helping create brighter futures for children like Nattawat. ❤️

For more information of ITDF, visit https://itdfinternational.org

03/06/2026

Why Concrete Water Tanks?

Concrete water tanks are a long-lasting solution for remote village water systems. Built to last 30–50 years or more, they provide reliable access to clean water, withstand harsh weather, require minimal maintenance, and can store enough water to serve an entire community.

More than just a tank, they help improve health, support education, reduce the burden of collecting water, and provide lasting benefits for generations to come. 💧

We have just finished a new water filtration system in the remote village of Pa Sok. 32 years ago, we brought clean water to this community. Now, they have another 30-50 years more through generous donors.

25/05/2026

In the remote village of Pa Take, life is already a daily struggle for the family of husband Ya Aur and his wife Pimpisa.

Recently, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed their home completely, leaving the family of seven with nothing but the clothes they could save. Overnight, they were forced to move into a small temporary shelter, uncertain of what the future would hold.

Because of the generosity of faithful donors, we were able to respond quickly by delivering basic household necessities, bedding, and financial assistance to help the family begin rebuilding and meet urgent needs during this difficult season.

Moments like these remind us how important compassion and community truly are. Your support allows us to stand alongside families like Ya Aur and Pimpisa when crisis comes unexpectedly, bringing not only practical help, but also hope that they are not alone.

Thank you for helping us love and serve communities in Northern Thailand. ❤️

18/05/2026

Let the sorting begin!
It’s that time of year again as coffee begins rolling in from our 40 coffee farmers across 400 villages. After passing through a sorting machine, every bean is still carefully hand-sorted to ensure the highest quality before traveling to destinations around the world. ☕️

ITDF created Thailand’s first fair trade coffee co-op, providing training, tree seedlings, and equipment to resource-poor farmers so they can reach international market standards. Through partnerships like Starbucks Thailand, Lanna Café Chiangmai and Lanna Coffee USA, this project helps create sustainable income and lasting opportunity for farming families across Northern Thailand.

15/05/2026

Thank you Mahidol University!

We had the pleasure of hosting graduate students from Mahidol University who are pursuing their M.A. in ASEAN Studies for Sustainable Development.

They were a passionate group, asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine interest in the work of ITDF. Their studies focused especially on our coffee initiatives, agriculture projects, and the women’s Co-op.

They came, they saw, they listened, and they absorbed valuable insight into sustainable development here in Thailand. Their curiosity, engagement, and heart for learning were deeply encouraging to our team.

We are especially grateful for their generous and heartfelt donation. Thank you for investing not only in the work of ITDF, but in the lives and futures of the people we work alongside each day.

08/05/2026

We are honored to share this story highlighting a meaningful new chapter in the long-standing relationship between Starbucks Thailand and ITDF.
This proposed three-year initiative seeks to further empower hill tribe coffee farming communities across Northern Thailand through hands-on training, sustainable farming support, and strengthened opportunities for future generations. We are deeply grateful for partnerships that invest not only in coffee, but in people, families, and communities.

Read more here:
https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2026/starbucks-support-for-northern-thai-coffee-farmers/

Announced ahead of World of Coffee Bangkok 2026 in collaboration with the Integrated Tribal Development Foundation, the initiative aims to advance farming capabilities and post-harvest practices to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resilience

03/05/2026

Empowering villagers with new knowledge of holistic health is at the heart of our Agriculture Project.

Through hands-on learning, community members are discovering how to use herbs from their own environment to create natural compresses—bringing relief to fatigued muscles and easing the pain of arthritis caused by their rigorous daily work.

This is more than health education. It’s about restoring dignity, strengthening self-reliance, and honoring the wisdom already present in their communities.

When knowledge meets tradition, healing begins from within.

27/04/2026

Today we honor and celebrate Athichai Phupithaktham as he retires after 32 years of faithful service with ITDF.

A member of the Lahu community, Athichai began his journey working in water projects and later moved into agriculture and coffee development—areas where his impact has been deeply felt across many hill tribe communities.

In recent years, he has followed his own growing passion for coffee farming, cultivating his own coffee for the past two years. Now, he steps into retirement to continue that work in his village and to spend more time with his family.

His dedication, humility, and deep well of knowledge have been a true blessing to ITDF and to all who have had the privilege of working alongside him. Over the years, he has been known not only as a colleague, but also as a father figure, friend, brother in Christ, and a steady source of gentle leadership.

We are profoundly grateful for his years of service and the lives he has touched.

We look forward to hearing the stories of his coffee fields as this new chapter unfolds.

With gratitude and blessing,

ITDF Family

วันนี้เราขอร่วมแสดงความยินดีและขอบคุณอย่างสุดซึ้งต่อ อธิชัย ภูพิทักษ์ธรรม ในโอกาสเกษียณอายุหลังจากการทำงานรับใช้กับ ITDF ยาวนานถึง 32 ปี

อธิชัยเป็นพี่น้องชนเผ่าลาหู่ ผู้เริ่มต้นการทำงานกับโครงการด้านน้ำ ก่อนจะก้าวเข้าสู่งานด้านการเกษตรและกาแฟ ซึ่งตลอดเส้นทางที่ผ่านมา เขาได้สร้างคุณูปการอย่างลึกซึ้งต่อชุมชนชนเผ่าบนพื้นที่สูงมากมาย

ในช่วงหลายปีหลัง เขาได้เดินตามความตั้งใจของตนเองในการทำไร่กาแฟ โดยเริ่มปลูกและดูแลกาแฟของตนเองมาเป็นเวลา 2 ปี และในวันนี้ เขาได้ก้าวเข้าสู่การเกษียณเพื่อกลับไปดำเนินชีวิตในหมู่บ้านของตน และใช้เวลากับครอบครัวอย่างเต็มที่

ความมุ่งมั่น ความอ่อนน้อม และความรู้ความสามารถที่เปี่ยมล้นของเขา ได้เป็นพรอันยิ่งใหญ่ต่อ ITDF และต่อทุกคนที่ได้ร่วมงานด้วยตลอดระยะเวลาที่ผ่านมา เขาเป็นที่รักและเป็นที่รู้จักในหลายบทบาท ทั้งในฐานะพ่อ เพื่อน พี่น้อง และพี่น้องในพระคริสต์ รวมถึงผู้นำที่เปี่ยมด้วยความเมตตาและความสุภาพอ่อนโยน

เราขอขอบคุณอย่างสุดหัวใจสำหรับการรับใช้และการอุทิศตนของเขา รวมถึงชีวิตมากมายที่เขาได้สัมผัสและเปลี่ยนแปลง

เราตั้งตารอฟังเรื่องราวของไร่กาแฟ และการเดินทางบทใหม่ของเขาที่กำลังจะเริ่มต้นขึ้นด้วยความยินดี

ด้วยความรักและความขอบคุณ
ITDF ครอบครัว

24/04/2026

There’s a quiet excitement rising in the remote village of Khun Khan Noi this week.

Hope arrives not with words, but with the rumble of ITDF trucks—loaded high with long stretches of blue PVC pipe. Piece by piece, pipe by pipe, they are carefully unloaded… and with each one, you can feel it: joy, anticipation, and the promise of something life-changing.

Because water changes everything like a ripple effect. It means children can stay in school instead of walking long distances to collect it. It means healthier families, thriving crops, and dignity restored in everyday life.

This is more than a delivery.
It’s hope in motion.

Join us to continue creating a lasting ripple effect of clean water to more villages:
https://www.integratedtribaldevelopmentfoundation.org