Thailand

Background

Thabom is a village in Chiang Khan District of Loei province, 560 kms Northeast of Bangkok. The village is hilly. It is very cold in the winter (December/January) and quite hot & humid in the summer (March-May). The rain is not heavy as in other nearby provinces during the rainy season. There is electricity in the village and a public telephone booth has been installed. The local water supply system is in operation during the rainy season and there is one clinic, which is run by the local government.

Thabom has one primary school that is owned and run by the diocese; there are 360 co-ed pupil and 15 teachers. The students pay 200 baht (£3.50) per semester for their tuition fees (400 baht per year) and often, many of them can only pay at the end of the harvest season which is beyond the school year. There are about one-third of the students who cannot afford to pay any school fees at all, hence, full scholarships are granted. The school also accepts agricultural products in lieu of money.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed to teach English as a foreign language in the local primary school. There is also a secondary school in the nearby town which needs English teachers. Volunteers who demonstrate initiative will also find many ways of getting involved in village life once they arrive in the area.

Volunteer Requirements

Volunteers for Thailand should either have a degree, or a TEFL qualification. A willingness to do anything is also a must!