The latest news and events from The Karen Hilltribes Trust. Penelope Worsley is available to give talks at private and public events in exchange for a donation to the Trust. If you'd like to know more about this, contact us.

Vacancy for Research Intern

We are currently recruiting for the position of a Research Intern to work with us in the office in York.  It's a fantastic opportunity for the right person!  Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Yorkshire Wold's Half Marathon, 20 July 2013

William, our new Director, will be leading a team of runners to take part in the Yorkshire Wolds Half Marathon, on Saturday 20th July.

We have chosen this race as a fundraiser for the charity and a reunion for its supporters. This is an important time for the charity and all sponsorship raised will be used to make sure that our health, education, and income generation projects will continue to be funded this year.

It seems appropriate to run up and down some hills in the Yorkshire countryside to raise money for the Karen who live in the remote mountains of Northern Thailand! It is a scenic run and should be a fun day out.

If you would like to take part please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or you can sponsor William or any other runner through this link

CBRE sends volunteer team to help install clean water system in remote village

This February, in the middle of the dry season, the property company CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) kindly funded a clean water system to mark its 25th Anniversary in Thailand. The organisation also sent staff from its offices in Bangkok and Phuket to work on the project. Their Chairman, David Simister, led the volunteer team and was joined by KHT Director, William, during his recent visit to Thailand.

The village chosen for the project was Ban Huay Mai Sang: a very poor village which is cut off from the main road when the rains come each year. This makes is very difficult for children from the village to manage get to secondary schools which are based in nearby towns. Now that the villagers have guaranteed access to clean water throughout the year, health will improve as levels of typhoid and other diseases will drop. CBRE have also provided extra funding to make sure that every family has access to a latrine / shower unit, improving sanitation.

Installing clean water will bring long lasting health benefits to this village and increase its resident’s ability to improve their livelihoods and build a better future.

Forthcoming talks in York and the surrounding area

Penelope will be giving talks about the work of the charity to the following local groups and organisations:

2 July 2013

East & West Ayton WI

18 July 2013

Sherburn & Villages U3A

8 July 2014

York City Trefoil Guild