Help church to teach local children basic English in Muang Ngam, Thailand

Details

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  Description

  This project aims to help villagers and mainly their children with their basic English. The village Muang Ngam is home to Karen hill tribe, approx. 200 christian families have the church as its center. The local parish priest is looking for volunteers to stay in the church premises and help the villagers with their English informally through playing games, drawing together and any other creative ideas you have!
  
  Location of village is in countryside of northern Thailand close to Myanmar border, surrounded by mountains and rice fields. Most of villagers are working in agriculture.
  
  Not many foreigners come to this region because of its distant location. Therefore the English level here is minimal, and being native speaker or having teaching skills is not a requirement.
  
  The parish priest Peter is organizing this project, and he will be the main contact and he will help you with everything. In the church are also two nuns, who are cooking you three meals each day and maintaining the church when priest is attending appointments out of village.
  
  You will have a room with two beds (mosquito nets included). Next to the guestroom is a small bathroom with a toilet and an opportunity to shower (cold water only).
  
  The village is rather small but beautiful, and the villagers are very friendly and happy to see new people. The villagers are thankful for every volunteer who comes and teaches english to the children.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Teaching
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You can immerse yourself in Karen hill tribe culture and way of life in the village. Spend time with villagers, see their daily work, and habits, how they can enjoy their basic way of life in Thailand countryside.
  Sometimes you can be invited by the priest to local events, there are many events all year around, like rice field blessing, rice or mango festivals, etc.
  
  If you like you can also visit other hill tribe villages, or try work on field with locals, or just play with the kids outside.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  The idea is that volunteer(s) will help with teaching English - to motivate kids, talk with them, and play with them.
  
  Kids are mostly available at the weekends, and also every day after school, approx. between 4 and 6pm, but its not necessary to teach every day. We are looking to make the teaching fun as the kids are usually tired after a full day of school but they are very excited to learn English and interact with volunteers.
  
  It's up to the volunteers how much time they would like to help beside teaching in church, you are welcome to organise your time throughout the day how you'd like. You can walk around the village and talk to the locals and there are also temples, hot springs, long neck Karen tribe, restaurants, rice farming and other exciting places to discover in the local area. There are also other opportunities to help locals with English, for example in the village school during the day and visit local families at their homes. The priest also visits other church parishes and you are able to join in and also visit them.

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  Languages spoken

  Thai: Fluent
  English: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  The church has available dormitories for special occasions (e.g. kid's camp in April). Volunteer(s) will have their own room with a fan, and toilet right next door in a separate building on the church premises. The accommodation is basic but clean and includes mosquito nets and bedding.
  
  The dining room and bathroom is in the priest's house. The meals are prepared by nuns every day (some days they can be off and the food have to be dealt differently). The food is also basic but healthy, nutritious and there is a lot of it!

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  What else ...

  The closest airport is in Chiang Rai if you travel from Bangkok, from there the priest will pick you up.
  
  If you come from Chiang Mai, you can take direct 4h bus from Chang Phueak bus terminal to Thaton, from there it is 20 minutes by car to the village, the priest will pick you up.
  
  There is available WiFi, and signal reception is good in the village.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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