Muesli Matters.
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Ban Navene
Ban Navene is a remote upland Khamu village in the Viengkham District of Louangphabang province. The majority of the 76 households still practice some form of shifting cultivation; farmers follow a cycle where upland fields are left for at least two or three years before they are slashed, burned and cultivated. This practice allows for the restoration of soil fertility, an important aspect as the farmers are resource-poor (in terms of labour and capital) thus cannot afford fertilizer.
Their traditional crop has always been upland rice and some households can now cultivate padi rice. This has drastically improved their food security as rice harvests are now more dependable. However their access to forest, which provides the majority of their vegetables and meats, has become restricted due to the bordering Nam Et-Phou Louey National Protected Area. Recently, households have signed contracts with Chinese or Vietnamese maize companies; the farmers get a relatively poor price for the maize that is exported for livestock fodder. This has introduced the concept of cash income to a village that before was based only on subsistence living, bringing new challenges such as financial management of debts.
Ban Navene has many more challenges to face in its future:
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Many households have not yet attained food security, meaning they are highly vulnerable to shocks such as rice failure or family illness. When faced with such hardships, households must either sell their livestock or rice stock, borrow from the World Vision Rice Bank or rely on the kindness of others.
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The infrastructure development is severely lacking:
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The road to B. Nam Xoy (the village along the 1C, the main road connecting Xamneua and Louangphabang) is impassable during the rainy season (June-October).
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Households do not have access to clean running water or toilet facilities. There are a few communal water wells but all water must be boiled before consumption. There are three toilet facilities for all 76 households.
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Electricity is unreliable as it is hydro-based thus highly dependent on the water level of the nearby river. The micro-hydro generators are home constructs and thus provide enough power for the equivalence of one light bulb per house.
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Not all households have access to paddy fields, of which approximately 40% are not irrigated. This has led to visible inequalities among the households.
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Livestock is heavily promoted by the government; this can be a positive resource as they are an important source of capital in times of need however the proper infrastructure, such as enclosures or fences, are not in place. This has resulted in crop destruction and is a concern for the spread of diseases.
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While Ban Navene does have a primary school, children must board away from home if they are to attend secondary school.
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Lastly but not least, there is only a rudimentary 'volunteer clinic' meaning a stall selling pre-packaged baggies of medicine.
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As you can see, much can be done to better the lives of the people in Ban Navene! It must be said that there already have been positive changes in the last few years: the introduction of electricity, the large-scale irrigation system and the District Agricultural and Forestry Office has named Ban Navene a top priority for poverty erradication.
On a personal note, I have become very fond of all the people in Ban Navene; I sincerely feel that I have a second family there. I have had the opportunity of harvesting rice with them, joining ceremonies and festitivities and defining my role as a 'daughter.' As much help is needed, any initiative in Ban Navene must be well-thought of and fully supported. Therefore projects in Ban Navene, for now, will be held for the future when Muesli Matters. becomes more established and itself reliable. But, when the time comes, it will definitely be something special...
