- Project Background:
Kok Payom is the name of a small Muslim fishermen’s village where only 600 people living in. The village is located 7 kilometers 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 project in their village 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 and face the challenge of the modern societ. The community wants to be responsible and make good choice for the new generations.
They have recognized their problems and are 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!!
- About the project:
Since 2009, DaLaa volunteers have been working with the villagers and children. There have been a big improvement and continuation of useful activities and construction. Community members started to be aware of environmental problems and how to preserve the local beliefs and life style, as well as letting young generation learn about all those local values and wanting to remain this precious natural resources and life style. 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 a 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 is still work that need to be done.
Volunteers can possibly do the activities as follows...
- Create non-formal classes at local schools.
- 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 at the village meeting place.
- Students’ English ability:
Their English knowledge is very basic or perhaps you might say that it is lower than that level. It is because of a lack of accurate pronunciation or proper accent. Most students basically know only easy words, short sentences and the letters in the alphabet. With our teaching project we don’t want to teach English like most of the teachers. First we want the children to enjoy the class, show them it can be fun to learn English. That's why we want to make a combination between learning and creativity. How? That will depend on you and the responsible people. In this case you can share your ideas together with the English teachers to enhance the students’ language skill. Let's share our ideas and make a nice program together.
During the project period, international volunteers will have the opportunity to experience Thai culture though it’s Muslim village, language and local lifestyle with the villagers.
Villagers of Kok Payom are Muslim so there is no pork or alcohol in the village. Women should dress modestly although you will discover when you live there that the villagers are very relaxed.
- Aims of project:
- to help support activities of the Kok Payom local community.
- to take care of Klong Toh Lem Academy.
- to build friendship between volunteers and local people.
- to be part of the local community of Kok Payom village.
- Accommodation:
You will stay in the triple hut, bungalow-like, dormitory style with other volunteers.
- Location:
Kok Payom village, La Ngu, Satun province, Southern Thailand.
- Meeting point:
Hat Yai (from Bangkok you can choose to travel by plane, bus or train).
- Participation Fee:
The minimum period is a 2 months service.
The fee will be used for living expenses (gas, water, electricity, food) and materials used in projects/activities. Some part of the fee will be used to support Thai volunteers and our organization.
8,000 THB per month (approx. 200 Euro). If you stay over 3 months, from the 4th month onwards, instead of paying 8,000 THB every month, we reduce the fee to 7,000 THB (approx. 175 Euro) per month.
- Example:
A 6-month stay volunteer, during months 1-3, 8,000 THBx3=24,000 THB, and months 4-6, 7,000 THBx3=21,000 THB. Altogether 45,000 THB/6 months.
- Basic conditions of DaLaa MLTV Projects:
- Participants are responsible for their own travel costs and all personal expenses during free time.
- Participants are responsible for taking care of their own insurance.
Participants should respect and have willingness to understand other cultures and backgrounds.
- Living conditions will be in Thai style (willingness to adapt and enjoy simple conditions of living).
- Willingness to work and live together, build friendships with local people and other volunteers - let's try to make this world a nice place to live in!
- Participants should have basic skills/knowledge towards the project they apply for.
- Participants should ask for a visa “Non-Immigrant type”. DaLaa will provide an invitation letter and other officially registered papers.
