Hosting NGO
DALAA (International Volunteers for Social Development Association)
Contact person
Supannee Kaeovichit, Incoming coordinator dalaa.thailand.main2@gmail.com Tel: 66-74-266286
Project Place
Kok Payom village, La-Ngu district, Satun province
Remark for Period
Minimum of 3 months (04/01-06/30, 07/01-09/30 or 10/01-12/31)
Background
Local/ social situation/ needs for the project
Name and description of the local host
Kok Payom is the name of a small Muslim fishermen’s village where only 600 people living in. The village is located 10 km away from its district called La Ngu and close to the seawater canal surrounded by mangrove forests. It’s no doubt that every single family regards the fishery industry as a main, permanent career. All the villagers are linked constantly with close relationship between community and related families, and they greatly welcome visitors, activists and volunteers to bring up voluntary projects to their village and join in any useful activity. Volunteers will be able to learn how the villagers lead their lives; it’s an experience you cannot find in the rushes of city life. Lead a life as easy-going as a countryman! The village really wants to conserve their traditional way of living even if there are a lot of pressure and conditions coming from the city. The villagers want to be actors to preserve their lifestyle, the nature for the next Kok Payom generation. The community wants to be responsible.
So, it’s now a real importance for this village to be a challenger of the future of their
community and our Earth. They really want to make good choices for the coming children. The community has recognized their problems and is working hard to find solutions to the environmental and social issues. They want to be creative to avoid the strange way our world is going today.
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
- Mon.-Thu.: Teaching/ activities/ environment
- Sat. (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
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
- Any other points:
For your laundry: Hand-washing, no washing machine.
Market and shop: Small grocery stores and food stalls in the village.
Clothes worn in the village: notice that you will spend most of the time in the village/school area. For everybody, please wear pants/skirt not too far above the knees. Women, please wear tops that cover your shoulders. You will realize our culture when you have the introduction day with MLTV coordinators. Don’t take it too serious because everybody knows how to behave in a formal or informal way.
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.
Terminal
- Nearest international airport: Hatyai International Airport
- Transportation from the capital or other major city: From Bangkok;
By place: Most prices will be 1,200-3,200 Baht or more, depending on the airlines.By bus: Faster than train and there will also be air conditioning. You will leave in the late afternoon/ evening and arrive in Hat Yai early morning. Prices are about 700-900 Baht.By train: Cheapest. Prices depend on the class
Other activities
You 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
- Fee to be paid for the full period: 72,000 Baht (2,181 US$ as of 2014 Feb. 02) for 9 months that means 8,000 Baht (242 US$) per month.
- Pocket money to be paid for the full period: None
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
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