61029    People living in the mountains have been driven out and their slash-and-burn farming and hunting lifestyle has come to an end.

61030    The only ones who wear traditional clothing live in hilltribe villages on the tourist route.

61031    Social problems are arising as a result of lifestyle changes accompanying development.

61032    Prostitution, drug addiction, AIDS...

61033    "The wave of development is spreading to China, Myanmar and Laos. The people who are acquainted with these social problems must relate their experiences to the people in countries now undergoing change."

61034    This is according to Takeo Toyota, who has volunteered to tackle the problems the hilltribes face.

61035    The leader of the "Young Women's Education Program," Mr. Sonpop, is one of his supporters.

61036    He sends about 150 poor girls from hilltribe villages to school and provides them lodging, while at vocational schools nearby village girls are taught gem working, sewing and computers.

61037    "I'm against development that doesn't have a purpose. I'm searching for a self-sustaining path that also preserves the culture and nature, and I want to foster hearts and minds that can withstand the torrents of development," says Mr. Sonpop.

61038    The search continues.

61039    My little adventure trip to the Mekong took me from the Lao border to Yunnan Province in China.

61040    The mountains in northern Laos are extensive and it had been impossible for foreigners to cross the border here.

61041    I was still worried as I headed out by air to Luang Phabang.

61042    From here I went by motor boat on the Mekong River and a tributary, the Han River for about three hours.

61043    Donning a helmet and a lifejacket, we suddenly ascended a rocky mountain stream and arrived at a mountain village situated on the so-called "China Bridge".