project

Kok Payom is a small fishing village with a population of about 600 located 7 kilometers away from the town of La Ngoo in Satun Province, Southern Thailand. The village is next to a big river and because it is only 10km for the sea the water is salty and there is a tide. It is a very peaceful location surrounded by an area of mangrove forest. Almost all the families of the village are linked to the fishing industry, usually being involved in either fish or shrimp farming and there is a strong community with many of the families having lived in the village for over 100 years. While fishing remains a strong industry their traditional way of life has changed a lot and the village faces lots of challenges. The community has recognized these problems and is working hard to find solutions to the environmental and social issues they face. They greatly welcome visitors, activists and volunteers who can contribute to these efforts. Becoming part of this close community is a special experience for our volunteers and you will learn a lot about village life away from the rush of the city. Lead a life as easy-going as a countryman!

The 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.

The role of volunteers will be to provide creative English teaching in local schools and to adults in the evening, trying to raise environmental awareness, assisting in construction projects and supporting the community in its many different activities. Although you will be contributing to lots of different activities former volunteers usually say that the most important aspect of the project is community living and sharing life with the village fishermen who are very welcoming happy to host you!

Project activities - Community Living, Creative English Teaching and Environment

This project is developing all the time so you can introduce new activities if you want. Previous work has included:
- Creating a place where local people and children can learn and become more aware of the importance of our environment.
- Give creative English lessons to the local school and to adults in the village.
- Collecting info on re-use of materials.
- Separating garbage, some of which can be sold to factories.
- Organizing nature trips with children.
- Planting young seedlings in the mangrove forests.
- Cultivating more seedlings in the nursery.
- Organizing fun and enjoyable activities for the village children.

- to help preserve environment in the village.
- to give non-formal English classes to the local schools and interested village adults.
- to help raise environment awareness in the village.
- to support and share experiences with the local community of Kok Payom.
- to build friendship between volunteers and local people.
- to organize fun and enjoyable activities to the village children.
- to cultivate young mangrove seedlings.
- to be part of the community of Kok Payom village.

You will stay in the triple hut, bungalow-like, dormitory style with the other volunteers.

The minimum period of staying is two months.
The fee will be used for living expenses (gas, water, electricity, food) and for materials used in projects/activities. Also some part of the fee will be used to support Thai volunteers and our organization.

MLTV volunteer pays 15,000 THB (about 375 Euro), if you stay for 2 months.
MLTV volunteer pays 21,000 THB (about 525 Euro), if you stay for 3 months.
For each additional month of stay after the 3rd month volunteers will pay 6,000 Baht (about 150 Euro) a month.

Kok Payom village, La Ngoo, Satun province (south of Thailand).

Hat Yai (from Bangkok you can choose to travel by plane, bus or train).