Hosting NGO
DALAA (International Volunteers for Social Development Association)
Contact person
Supannee Kaeovichit, Incoming coordinator
Project Place
Kok Payom village, La-Ngu district, Satun province
Remark for Period
3 months participation from 02/01, 05/01, 08/01 and 11/01 is possible.
Background
Name and description of the local host
Name and description oKok Payom is a strong Muslim community surrounded by mangrove forests few kilometers from the Andaman coast of Satun province, South Thailand. Villagers want to preserve their life style and the nature for the next generation. The community has recognized their problems and is working hard to find solutions to the issues they face. They welcome visitors, activists and volunteers to join in any useful activity. the local host
Aims and expected impact of the project
- Give non-formal English classes to the local schools and interested village adults
- Help support activities of the Kok Payom local community
- Take care of Klong Toh Lem Academy
- Build friendship between volunteers and local people
- Organize fun and enjoyable activities to the village children
- Be part of the local community of Kok Payom village
Main voluntary work
Since 2009, volunteers have been taking turn to teach at 3 different schools in Kok Payom village and the other villages nearby. Apart from this, in 2011, there was an initiative of starting “Klong Toh Lem Academy”, an alternative school on the other side of the canal, in the middle of mangrove forest where children can learn about environment, local values, wisdoms, and language in very natural method of learning. The informal class at this alternative school is conducted every Sunday. There are approximately 20 children, aged between 7-12 attending. So far, the main school building and other necessary structures have been constructed from collaboration of both villagers and international volunteers. However, there are still works that need to be done.
Volunteer can possibly do the activities as following:
- Create a place where local people and children can learn and become more aware of the importance of our environment (Alternative School – Klong Toh Lem Academy)
- Organize nature trips with children (awareness of the importance of nature)
- Plant young seedlings in the mangrove forests (occasionally)
- Organize fun and enjoyable activities to the village children
- -Thu.: Teaching/ activities/ environment
- (preparation)-Sun.: Klong Toh Lem Academy (Alternative School)
- Vacations of regular Thai schools: Mid. Mar. to mid. May (2 months) and Oct. (1 month)
- Approximate working hours: Mon.-Thu: 3-4 hours, Fri. is free day, Sat.-Sun.: 09:00-15:00
Accommodation Location
Type of building: Wooden huts
- Sleeping: Sharing with other vols.
- Meals: Cooked by vols
- How and how long to go to work: Bicycle/ walk or get picked up by teachers and the journey takes about 10-20 minutes
- Smoking: Only outside building
- Internet access: Local internet café in the village
Location
Kok Payom is a Muslim village, situated about 10 Kilometers away from La-Ngu town. The main careers of the population is fishing and working in rubber plantation. The weather is tropical: hot and humid most of the year, usually more dry from January to May, most rain in September-November
Terminal
- Nearest international airport: Hatyai International Airport
- Transportation from the capital or other major city: You can reach Hatyai through Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore by plane, night train and night bus. The price can be very different by plane (minimum 1200 Bahts), the sleeping train from Bangkok is 600 Bahts, the bus 800 Bahts; It may be the same price through Singapore and a bit cheaper from Kuala Lumpur.
Other activities
Volunteers will get chance to participate other social events in the village. Sometimes, they’ll get to participate in other DaLaa’s activities if there is any during their stay.
Qualification for volunteers
- Required: Interests in teaching and doing activities with children, moreover, open-minded and being able to live with community and integrate themselves with the villagers. There is a strong requirement for open-mind and eager to learn the language and respect local tradition.
- Preferable: Extra interest in environment and agriculture that will be a benefit for both volunteers and villagers to learn from each other.
Attraction for volunteers
Experience with living with Thai community/ doing activities with children/ with Thai culture and language/ of growing their own food
Financial condition
- Participation fee to the host NGO: 24,000 THB for 3 months (8,000 THB per month)
- 18,000 THB for 3 months (6,000 THB per month) for those coming from less expensive countries where the annual GDP per capita is less than 10,000 US$.
Meetings
- On arrival training: 2 days on arrival introduction at DaLaa office in Hatyai
- Special care during Project: One DaLaa staff stays from Wed.-Sun. in the village. There’ll be also visits from other staff or Thai members regularly.
- Evaluation meeting: 1 day at DaLaa office or in the village, depending on your convenience
Other remarks
Open to Non-Asian if the places are not full at 2 months before the starting date.
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