In the rice-growing district of Sri Mahapot in Prajinburi Province, a 5-O project has been developed by the Thai Association of University Women in cooperation with the four other organisations in the 5-O partnership.

In-service training of effective teaching and learning strategies is provided for teachers and students at local schools. Teachers have learned to make teaching materials and books, and newspapers are provided for students. Village women are learning about consumer education and nutrition, vegetable and mushroom cultivation, sewing, dressmaking and primary health care. Medical services and supplies are also being provided, and medicinal herb gardening has helped to generate income, promote basic health care and educate the hospital purchasing teams.

With the help of a nearby Agricultural College, land at the Centre is used to develop model agricultural projects, to demonstrate new agricultural techniques for commercial production that supports the Centre and the project as a whole. Mushrooms, corn and horticultural products have been introduced as alternative crops. A 2-year diploma course has been developed and endorsed by the Ministry of Education. A women’s co-operative has been formed for the wholesaling of ready-made clothes, with initial financing for this and other commercial activities coming from the project’s revolving fund.