Teaching English and Cultural Exchange in Rural Communities in Ubon Ratchathani

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Ubon Ratchatani

Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: July 12 - July 27, 2008

Description: Ubon Ratchatani is one of the main cities of the Isan region, in the North East of Thailand, close to the borders with Cambodia and Laos. Although it remains among the most traditional areas of the country, it is also the poorest and less developed part in terms of infrastructure or industry; creating a huge rural exodus and migration from the Isan inhabitants to Bangkok. The Khueang Nai District administration wants to dynamize the Ban Thai rural areas and stimulate English learning through the international volunteers presence. The main target group of the project will be young people and children. Inside this larger framework, each project will address the specific target group in different villages in the Ban Thai area.

The volunteer work will vary in the different project sessions.
First group (April 5 - April 20, 2008): Cultural exchange is the main work of the project. The volunteers will discover the typical Isan culture and traditions, visiting villagers, farmers and local artisans, helping them in their tasks occasionally. Despite being the public holidays for schools, the volunteers will also hold English teaching workshops for the children of several Ban Thai sub-district villages.

Second group (July 12 - July 27, 2008): The volunteers will run English language courses and workshops in the local primary and secondary school for the children of a village in the Ban Thai district and renovate (painting, fixing&) the playground of the school.

Third and fourth group (August 16 - August 31, 2008 and September 13 - September 28, 2008): The volunteers will run English language courses and workshops in the local primary and secondary school for the children of a village in the Ban Thai district. They will also assist local villagers, farmers, artisans and the town-hall in some of their daily tasks, to be defined by the actuality of the village during the project, as a social support measure.

Leisure time: Leisure time will be organised by the volunteers with the support of the group leader. The closest city is far but accessible. The region isnt very tourist attractive as such but the nature is of extraordinary beauty: rice fields, small temples and natural parks are all over the region.

The Ban Thai sub-district area is about 30 km far from Kueng Nai city and 60 km north west of Ubon Ratchatani city, in the Isan region, North east of Thailand.

There is an extra fee of 6,500 Thai Baht (about $170 US) for participation in this project, intended to support the local host.

Highlights: The volunteers will learn about the culture of rural Thailand in general and the traditions and specificity of the Isan region. Thai language lessons will also be given to the volunteers.

Qualifications: A correct level of English language and the will to teach it to kids is obviously necessary. The volunteers need also to be motivated to discover Thai culture and to present the one of their country of origin.

Cost in US$: $290 US

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Motivated to work voluntarily within an international team, tolerant, open-minded and cooperative person with adventurous spirit.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

CADIP - Canadian Alliance for Development Initiatives and Projects's Mission Statement: CADIP is an independent, non-governmental, non-religious, not-for-profit Canadian organization based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through various youth initiatives, Cadip promotes peace, cooperation, tolerance and understanding in international, multi-ethnic, multi-cultural surroundings. The organization also promotes patterns and examples of civil activities focused on serving others, on building social ties and strengthening communities, on supporting civil society development. Aims and general objectives: " To promote volunteering as an expression of civic contribution " To strengthen the international contacts among young people " To build tolerance and understanding in multicultural and multi-ethnic surroundings " To promote multiunderstanding among youth all over the world " To facilitate the individual growth of the volunteers through the acquisition of work, life and learning skills " To work for the recognition and promotion of non-formal learning " To support the community initiatives and assist in community development.