Description

Will you help the displaced Burmese, Karen and other persecuted groups to a better future?

This project offers a unique opportunity for keen and dedicated volunteers to live and work with Karen people living in the special Mae Sot - Zone in Thailand, on the border to Burma where 70 % of the population are Burmese migrants and refuges.

Working and teaching at Karen, Burmese schools, willing helpers are needed to help the young and Burmese/Karen teachers teach English. They have no formal teaching background and need all the help they can get. Volunteer in Mae Sot and you will not only have the opportunity to support displaced Burmese, living in Thailand but you will also play a part in helping Burma to a better and hopefully democratic and peaceful future.

Project details:
The project is located in the Mae Sot Zone, to a degree isolated from the rest of Thailand since Thailand does not allow the Burmese to move freely into other parts of Thailand.

The project is an educational program run by the Burmese/Karen themselves to help their young to hope and work for a future.

The program was created by the Burmese/Karen wishing to address the social and educational problems faced and who have a strong desire to preserve their own cultures while also ensuring the long term peace in their own country.
They believe that through education, their young can one day go back to build their country.

Why the project needs volunteers:
The project needs volunteers to support their education efforts which have very limited resources and to help educate the young generation on the importance of knowledge, democracy, environmental and culture protection.

Much of the work at this project is dependent on having the necessary skills and energy and without volunteers, the battle against poverty and oppression may be lost to the detriment of the future of Burma's people.

Highlights

* Getting to live on, and be part of preserving, the many ethnic groups of Burma, forced migrants and refugees.
* Learning the Karen, Burmese way of life.
* Learning to teach and work with almost destitute people yet eager to learn.

Qualifications

What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You do not require any specific skills or knowledge, but you will need to be ready to be flexible and adaptable! You must be prepared to get involved and to help in a sometimes demanding but rewarding environment. Lots of enthusiasm will enhance your experience.

Your role as a volunteer:
You will be involved in mainly teaching English, maybe computers activities, helping educate the future generations of the Karen and other Burmese migrants and refugees. You could also get involved in sports and other activities at the weekends.
You will live with and meet up regularly with the local Karen project coordinators to discuss your work as well as updating a teaching journal and keeping a weekly diary of your experience to pass on to your local partners and Openmind Projects.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Dedicated, patient, respectful to other cultures, curious

Age Range

20 plus

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Home-stays
• Independent living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

One - two weeks

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Open mind projects's Mission Statement

To bridge the knowledge divide between the rich and poor. We do this by helping the underprivileged gain access to better learning opportunities with the help of modern information technology and international volunteers; To contribute to the fight against increasing threats to our environment, nature, and wildlife; To offer international volunteers unique opportunities to help bridge knowledge divides and to help save nature, while growing as persons in our grassroots education and eco projects.

Year Founded

2001