MTV-Projekte in Thailand 2010
In the 2010-2011 season we have several medium and long-term homestay camps
in the Central part of Thailand all related to educating local rural communities in
their English language abilities. A teaching background is not necessary
although will definitely be helpful. A good level of English is also expected for
these programs. Please check the list for the correct camp code and date.
Program start
(first Monday of each month)
Code
7 June 2010 GW 10-M6
5 July 2010 GW 10-M7
2 August 2010 GW 10-M8
6 September 2010 GW 10-M9
4 October 2010 GW 10-M10
1 November 2010 GW 10-M11
6 December 2010 GW 10-M12
3 January 2011 GW 11-M1
7 February 2011 GW 11-M2
7 March 2011 GW 11-M3
4 April 2011 GW 11-M4
2 May 2011 GW 11-M5
PARTICIPATION FEE
Greenway is a nonprofit organization and does not have funding to cover the costs of office communication, transportation, food and housing etc. for MLTV participants. Therefore, Volunteers are expected to pay 20,000 baht (approximately US$ 550) for the first two months of the program at the start of the introduction week. Please have your money in cash, in the correct currency in an envelope with your name on it, before coming to the meeting point. This will cover all of your basic expenses, including food, housing and transportation. You will only need money for some weekend excursions and spending money for personal purchases.
Keep in mind that most banks are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, but you can still use an ATM in the cities.
After completing the first two months, if, both the volunteer and Greenway feel that the time has been spent productively, PSF MLTV camp leaders can arrange to stay for the third month but the volunteers have to pay 10,000 Baht again. After completing three months, if the volunteers wish to continue their projects for some more time then a reduction of 50% is given and the fee is reduced to 5,000 Baht for each month.
The MLTV programs are for a maximum of one year in duration. Greenway provides
transportation for volunteers to their work camps after completing the orientation week. During your stay in the project Greenway financially covers food and accommodation. Not included in the participation fee is the travel from your country and you must also cover costs incurred for visa and medical care.
THE PROJECT
The main focus of this project is to initiate “cultural exchange” situations. The participants will be studying the Thai cultures, lifestyles, traditions, while staying and involving themselves with the daily life of villagers. Your role as a volunteer will be to assist the local community through teaching primarily (but not exclusively), English, a skill in high demand in rural Thailand, due to the opportunities it can bring about.
PSF has been involved in educational projects since it has been established in 1998.
Educations, various kinds of education and various kinds of vocational trainings are much needed in Thailand, especially in the rural areas and for unprivileged youngsters. Through our activities in this field we give to youngsters and local inhabitants the chance to learn things they could never get closed to otherwise: English, Environmental issues and general hygiene.
The main target group of our educational activities in the southern regions is children (mainly primary school students and also some secondary schools), also villagers and people who would like to learn English, but we know for children that their experiences are reflected also in their parents' lives. Through education, children and villagers feel empowered and get motivated to know the outside world. Education projects have a special impact on Thai youth as they represent a motivation to study more and to acquire experience at international level.
PSF promotes a fun and informal way of learning and encourages volunteers to also organize various teaching activities and to promote outdoor learning. PSF believes in various ways of education; learning through games and outside in the garden, help the children to identify PSF as a safe space where they can learn while being themselves and having fun and make them feel comfortable. The situation of many children in Thailand can be difficult and disheartening;
volunteers can be the vectors of happiness and stimulate self-confidence. PSF believes the personal connections and experiences gained through the cultural exchange of our volunteers, is what truly impacts the locals and especially children and students.
DAILY WEEKDAY SCHEDULE
06:30 wake up. Participating in the daily household chores and routines.
07:30 Breakfast and cleaning the cutlery.
08:30 start your activities in your projects.
12:00 Lunch and cleaning the cutlery.
13:00 Continue your activities in your projects.
18:00 Dinner and housekeeping
19:30 Evening activities/discussion with your homestay family
22:00 Lights off and silence.
This schedule is an example and a coordinator may plan a schedule for you depending upon the needs of the project if necessary, also considering the lifestyles and habits of the local homestay you will be with.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
08:00 Brunch
09:00 Free time, your day-off.
18:00 Dinner
22:00 Lights off and silence.
The weekends are more flexible than the weekdays, so consider this schedule as a very rough outline. On the weekend, the group can stay at the camp or decide to go for sightseeing. If going out, food expenses and transportation cost should be taken care by yourselves. There are many different places of interest the central part of Thailand. During the weekends you are free to relax or visit interesting places in the neighborhood.
FREE TIME
You will have plenty of free time in the mornings and especially the evenings and weekend. This time can be used for your personal activities like washing clothes, writing letters or justresting. Of course it’s also a great time to socialize with your fellow volunteers and thevillagers, and great opportunity to walk through the local area, which is covered with naturalbeauty.
In this camp, as in all camps, alcohol consumption on your program or on site is
forbidden. Smoking is forbidden in your rooms and is not encouraged in public, as we
want our volunteers to set a positive example for local children and youth.
ACCOMODATION
Accommodation will vary depending on your homestay. To fully immerse yourself, there
is no better way than to live with a local and experience their lives through their homes.
It is possible you will stay in a PSF/Greenway’s eco-house for a certain period of time
before, during or after your homestay begins. Conditions there are simple but will serve
your basic needs. The food will be vegetarian. Showers are available, but the water is notheated. Hand-washing your own clothes will be a necessity.
Try to be environmentally conscientious, and use resources such as water and electricitywith restraint. Smoking is only allowed in smoking areas and as a general rule alcohol isnot allowed in your homestay’s home. Any serious problems with your homestay family should be raised with the Foundation’s staff, and please be aware that appropriate behaviour is critical as a guest in someone else’s home. We reserve the right to cancel your stay with us or transfer you to a separate homestay if we receive complaints from your
homestay.
WE EXPECT ALL VOLUNTEERS TO:
- Respect the people around you, no matter even if they are younger than you.
- Experience and enjoy this new culture, tradition and lifestyle. Always be a part of it.
- Realize that living conditions are very different than at home (There may be no warm water, air-conditioning, easy access to international, phone or Internet, or easy transportation. There are plenty of bugs, etc.)
- Understand the aim of Greenway and realize that broadening your mind about Thai culture and the social contact is more important than the actual work.
- Speak only English and Thai when others are around, even if these people do not join in on the conversation.
- Understand that a great deal of time will be spent with local people who do not speak English very well. Volunteers should make the effort in trying to communicate in basis Thai or use other ways of communicating (work, pictures, gestures, body language, etc.). If you try you will be amazed how good you can communicate and how quickly you will learn basic Thai!
- Behave and dress in a culturally sensitive way, especially while in the village or schools. Always give the best of your good behavior.
- Be flexible and realize that the Thai way of life and work is less stressed and should always be fun, no matter how hard the work is!
- Have creative ideas for the work, discussions, the campsite, excursions and free time. Share your thoughts and ideas!
- Be prepared to adjust your behaviors due to the newly found elements of the local culture.
- Respect that Alcohol and cigarettes, if in use, it should be limited at all times and totally forbidden in front of children.