Job Discussion Forums

[NipponPoke]

I'm interested to know if anyone has ever volunteered with Myanmar refugees in northern Thailand.

If someone could recommend a good NGO, I would greatly appreciate it.

I have seven years teaching experience in Japan and would like the chance to work with these people in the future.

Thanks....

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Dear NipponPoke:

I have no personal experience with volunteering, but you could try these to get started:


http://www.kiasia.org/ASIT/index.htm (Alliances for Study Abroad and Internships in Thailand / Kenan Institute Asia)

http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/thailand/index.cfm (Cross-Cultural Solutions)

http://www.globalservicecorps.org/thailand/thailand_main.html (Global Service Corps)

http://www.volunteer.org.nz/thailand/ (Global Volunteer Network)

http://www.openmindprojects.org/ (Open Mind Projects)

http://www.volunteerabroad.com/Thailand.cfm (links)


Good luck!

[Sheep-Goats]

I've travelled in the NE of Thailand before while my university in Bangkok was between sessions -- the closer you get to the refugee areas the more advertisements you see for that kind of work.

If you talk to Mr. Dum ("Mr. Darkie" in Thai, literally) who runs a big shot trekking company in Mae Hong Son he can probably put you in touch with one of his guides. The guide is Thai and spend two years teaching Thai and English to hilltribe folks about 10 years ago -- while he may not be of much help for the current job situation he may be able to help with other practical issues about teaching those kinds of people in that kind of environment. I don't remember his name, but just tell Mr. Dum that you want to talk to that guide of his that used to be a teacher and can draw well and he'll probably be able to put you in touch. Probably have to do this in person, I doubt Mr. Dum does any emailing at all and I don't have his phone -- maybe worth you time even if you find a good NGO before hand.

Mr. Dum's operation is located in Mae Hong Son city near the lake -- number 37 on the following map:
http://www.maehongsontravel.com/mhstmap.html

[NipponPoke]

Guys,

Cheers for the help. Much appreciated.

[Kent F. Kruhoeffer]

Hope I'm not too late with this; just saw it posted on Dave's this morning:

http://www.burmavolunteer.com/ (Burma Volunteer Program)

[laura1d]

Hi,

I live in the South of Thailand but go up to the North every school vacation to teach refugees.

I will be going up again in March. I originally found the place (village) I go to through BVP (Burma Volunteer Project) but I went independantly - not as part of their organisation.

If you are interested still (I see the original post is quite old) then let me know and maybe I can put you on to someone. Alternatively contact BVP directly and talk to them.

The majority of the refugees I teach are Karen / ethnic Burmese and Arakanese.

It is a great thing to do as these guys really need the help. And of course you get the whole 'voluneering' feel good thing out of it yourself!

Be prepared to work though - they are serious about learning and you will even have to learn to say no - 1st time I went I didn't and found myself teaching practically every waking hour. Now I limit myself so that I am able to give a better 'service' to the students.

Good luck! It is definately worth it!
Laura

[pinkextra]

Laura and anyone else with knowledge about the BVP.

I recently visited their site and it was not very detailed.

Although some informative information was given, issues such as Visa, Round trip airfare, etc were not included.

Has anyone worked directly for this organization or know of any third-party experiences?

Seems like a really great opportunity, but you ever know.

In the meantime I plan to contact the org. directly, but I would also value some objective feedback.


Thanks in advance,

Pinkextra

[laura1d]

Hi there,

I am not sure what help I can be. I used to know the girl that ran it but she went back to the UK. I contacted them through their website and I was already in Thailand.

As I understand it (and I might be wrong) they sort out a visa for you. I doubt they pay for an air ticket.

They used to provide each volunteer with loads of information, a bicycle and pin money. You get your food and accommodation for free (it will be basic as you live with the refugees).

I think I have a number somewhere - if you want it I can try to dig it out. If not I can contact one of the refugees and ask if they have it. Let me know.

Laura

[pinkextra]

Laura,

Thanks for your prompt and helpful response.

Yes I am still interested in the program and I would like their contact number if possible. I have since e-mailed them, however, I have yet to receive a response. I guess we'll see what happens!

On another note, how are the living quarters over there? Is is dormitory style? Apartment? Home? How would you describe the hygiene situation where you lived and worked? Hot water, lights, etc.Just a way to mentally prepared myself.

I have already lived and worked in Africa, however, it was through an American University so of course they put us in nice, comfortable housing. I am open to the idea of 'roughing it' or living in a manner that mirrors the locals.

Looking forward to any additional helpful responses,

Pinkextra

[laura1d]

Hello Pinkextra,

I have trawled through all my stuff and phoned a couple of friends but can't get my hands on the number right now. I looked at my old email and the ones BVP send me come from:

"BVP" <[email protected]>

If that is not the same email you sent to before maybe it would be worth trying.

As for your other questions, it really depends where you are placed. You might be living in the refugee camps or with a school / organisation outside one.

The Burmese treat their volunteer teachers like royalty. You will be comfortable wherever you are.
Inside the camps there is not much electricity (meaning if they have it then it's not 24 hours). You may have a bed , you may be on a mat.

Good luck whatever - let me know how you get on.
Laura

[zaneth]

What's the time frame here? I gather short term is possible if people are going north to teach during school breaks?

I've been to Burma and would love to go back to that part of the world, but have a daughter in Russia and debts so I can't really leave for more than say 2 months. On the plus side, airfare between Russia and Thailand seems very reasonable.

I recently met someone from Thailand who's been living here in Russia. He offered to help me make some connections to teach in Thailand at a monastery or Buddhist school. I'd never really thought of Thailand before, always thought of it as overrun with westerners.

This might be a nice opportunity for a 'working' vacation.

[laura1d]

Hi,
Ok, Generally Thailand is overun with Falang (foreigners) but once you get to the trouble areas they tend to peter out alot. If you are truly interested in helping out then to be honest two days would be enough (obviously not but use but appreciated nontheless). Obviously they want more but they are truly grateful for whatever they are given.

Go for it. I can give you contacts if you want them.

Laura

[Legolarse]

It's probably too late to be of use to you, but I have applied for a job at BVP and they sent quite a lot of info.

They don't pay airfare or a stipend but they give accommodation with the students and pay for visa extensions. In addition to English teaching, the volunteers can sometimes assist the offices with workshop development, human rights training and special skills training such as computers or journalism. The want you to have teaching experience (I don't) and preferably a tefl qualification (I do).

They say:

Volunteers usually sleep on mats on a wooden floor. Hot bathing water is rare. The food consists of 2 to 3 rice meals per day cooked Burmese style. Vegetarian food can be provided. At this time we are unable to provide airfare, health insurance, travel expenses, or stipends. We continually accept volunteers on a rolling basis.

Volunteers are asked to obtain a double entry tourist visa (120 days) from the Thai consulate in their country before they arrive. BVP then pays for the updates to this visa. Because some of our students are not legal here, we are not able to provide documents to assist with study or volunteer visas.

The number of students and their levels of English vary because we work with over 40 organizations with different needs.

-- Cultural immersion is expected. Independence and an ability to solve one�s own minor issues are essential. The volunteer program only has two staff (one foreigner, one local staff member) and we work in five locations in Thailand. Therefore, we cannot offer constant support. You will live with an organization and will not be with other volunteers or foreigners unless you arrange to meet them.

Accommodation- The accommodation provided varies as it depends on the organization you will live with. The volunteer lives like the members of the organization. Best case scenario, is to have your own room in a nice wood Thai house. Worst case scenario is sharing a room with 6 students (they will always be of the same gender) in a concrete block with a shared toilet. Volunteers sleep on the floor on mats. There are sometimes mosquitoes and critters. Toilets are "squat toilets". Generally you have to wash with cold water. The organization provides at least two rice- based meals a day. We really encourage people to stay with their students because they will become great friends, you will learn a lot more about Burma, and your students will have more chance to practice English. If you don't like your accommodation, you could chose to stay in a guest house for about $60 to 125 a month, but the vast majority of people DO NOT need to do this.

We will cover visa costs for a tourist visa (500 baht renewal for a three month period). Photocopy costs and all program/ teaching costs are covered.

Their email is [email protected]

If you're there now or have been, pls let me know what it's like.

[Zola]

http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Liam25/?p=480

I highly recommend volunteering with the Marists in Ranong.

Check the link for more info and feel free to drop me a line.

Cheers

[Legolarse]

Yes, if you're into using altruism as a cover for promoting your religious dogma.