DALAA PROGRAM FOR 2015
SHORT-TERM WORK CAMPS (STC)
International Volunteers for Social Development
Association (DaLaa)
86 Petkasem 43 Rd.
Hat Yai
Songkhla 90110
Thailand
Website: www.dalaa-thailand.com
Email: dalaa.thailand.main2@gmail.com
Telephone: +66 74 266 286
CAMP
CODE
STC5803
KIND OF PROJECT
PLACE/PROVINCE
Construction Work,
Activities with Kids
and Environment
Kok Payom,
La Ngu district,
Satun province
STC5804
Non Chemical
and Self-sufficient Agriculture
Baan Kok Riang,
Klong Hoi Khong,
Songkhla province
STC5805
Creative English teaching and
activities with kids
Koh Nangkham,
Pak Payoon,
Pattalung province,
18-31 May, 2015
10
STC5806
Non Chemical
and Self-sufficient Agriculture
Baan Kok Riang,
Klong Hoi Khong,
Songkhla province
10-23 June, 2015
15
STC5807
Creative English activities with
children, cultural exchange
and learning fisherman lifestyle
La Ngu district,
Satun province
21 July –
3 August, 2015
15
La Ngu district,
Satun province
2-15 August, 2015
15
9-22 September,
2015
15
Bulon Leh Island,
Satun Province
16-29 November,
2015
10
Sukorn Island,
Trang province
17-30 December,
2015
15
STC5808
Activities with Kids,
Agriculture and Construction
work/Renovation
STC5809
Construction work,
Self-sufficient Agriculture
and activities with kids
STC5811
STC5812
Activities with Kids
Non-Chemical Agriculture and
Activities with Children
Cha-uat district,
Nakorn Sri Tammarat
province
DATES
VOL
18 – 31 March,
2015
15
23 April – 6 May,
2015
15
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
1
DESCRIPTION of the Short Term Camps
SHORT TERM General Information:

There will always be a DaLaa Work Camp Coordinator(s)

Besides the main project there will be time for Thai language / culture and other activities

Volunteers have to be 18 years or older

No special skills are required, only positive motivation and being open minded

Living conditions will be in Thai style (willingness to adapt and enjoy simple conditions of living)

For every STC we provide an info sheet with more detailed information
STC5803
CONSTRUCTION WORK,
ACTIVITIES WITH KIDS AND ENVIRONMENT
18 – 31 March,
2015
15
VILLAGE BACKGROUND
Kok Payom is a small fishermen’s village with a population of about 600 located 7 kilometers away from
the town of La Ngu in Satun Province, Southern Thailand. The village is next to a big river and because it is
only 10km for the sea the water is salty and there is a tide. It is a very peaceful location surrounded by an
area of mangrove forest. Almost all the families of the village are linked to the fishing industry, usually
being involved in either fish or shrimp farming and there is a strong community with many of the families
having lived in the village for over 100 years. While fishing remains a strong industry their traditional way
of life has changed a lot and the village faces lots of challenges.
The community has recognized these problems and is working hard to find solutions to the environmental
and social issues they face. They greatly welcome visitors, activists and volunteers who can contribute to
these efforts. Becoming part of this close community is a special experience for our volunteers and you
will learn a lot about village life away from the rush of the city. Lead a life as easy-going as a countryman!
The villagers of Kok Payom are Muslim so there is no pork and alcohol in the village. Women should dress
modestly although you will discover when you live there that the villagers are very relaxed.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
During the past 5 years that DaLaa volunteers have been working with the villagers and children, there
have been a big improvement and continuation of useful activities and construction. Community members
started to be aware of environmental problems and how to preserve the local beliefs and lifestyle, as well
as letting young generation learn about all those local values and wanting to remain this precious natural
resources and life style. In 2011, there was an initiative of starting “Klong Toh Lem Academy”, an
alternative school on the other side of the canal, in the middle of mangrove forest where children can learn
about environment, local values, wisdoms, and language in a very natural method of learning. The
informal class at this alternative school is conducted every Sunday. There are approximately 20-25
children, aged between 7-12 attending. So far, the main school building and other necessary structures
have been constructed from collaboration of both villagers and international volunteers. However, there is
still some work that needs to be done.
ACTIVITIES
As discussed with the villagers and the project coordinators, possible main activities agreed will be:
 Building a compact pier at Klong Toh Lem Academy’s side
 Organizing activities with kids on Sundays at the mangrove forest
Other activities, possibly if time allows, cultivating seedlings in the nursery, planting trees in the
mangrove forest, visiting villagers’ homes, helping on village matters, etc.
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
2
**Please bear in mind that the proposed activities above are something that we and the host project have
agreed on before the camp taking place. In reality, activities can be adjusted or changed according to the
very usual phenomenon of unexpected weather conditions that may result in re-scheduling of the plan
(rains/heat may cause difficulty working outdoor), or number of volunteers participating may cause the
preparation in case there’s less than estimated. Nevertheless, we will try to keep the plan fit, and you will
be informed about exact activities to do 1 month at the latest before the camp begins.
AIMS OF PROJECT




To support and be part of Kok Payom local community
To bring awareness among locals to preserve their community values and life style
To build a good relationship between volunteers and local people
To learn about local cultures and wisdom
ACCOMMODATION: Community meeting place, simple conditions
FEE: 7,500 Baht (approx. 190 Euro)
LOCATION: Kok Payom village, La Ngu district, Satun province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Wednesday 18th of March 2015 at 9 o’clock in La Ngu town
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STC5804
NON-CHEMICAL
AND SELF-SUFFICIENT AGRICULTURE
23 April –6 May,
2015
15
VILLAGE BACKGROUND
The village is known as Baan Kok Riang which is situated in Klong Hoi Khong district of Songkhla
province, Southern Thailand. The approximate number of villagers settling in this village is about 1,200 or
140 homes. Most of the villagers own fruit orchard and rubber plantation, and nearly all of them are
Buddhist. There are a few Buddhist temples in the area and lots of rubber plantation lined up on the sides
of the road. Some people living in the village commute to work to nearby town for factories that export
rubber and processed seafood products.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
This is one of our long-term project sites. We in DaLaa, were first introduced to this village, Ban Kok
Riang, through a recommendation from one of the Hat Yai University clubs called Backpackers. The club is
quite active in organizing activities involving environmental conservation, trekking, and initiating
activities with the local communities. Some of these activities they did together with the villagers in Baan
Kok Riang were planting trees at Pa Dam Watershed Waterfall and also by the roadsides as well as
organizing activities with the kids and adults in the village. Whenever they organize projects in the
village, DaLaa will be always invited to join. As up until now, it has been going on for almost 8 years and
the university club is still keeping in touch with the community in the village and initiated beneficial
projects that support the community.
Mr. Suthep Suwankrajang, host and project coordinator, known as Lung Jaeng, has an interest to
produce his own organic food. He himself does not have any agricultural background; however, he took
the initiative wanting to turn his land properties covering approximately 1 hector of empty land into a
place where everyone can learn and experiment on non-chemical agriculture. This has helped generate
motivations for the other villagers to follow in their footsteps. The main purpose for this effort is to try to
create a learning space functioning sort of as a working model for the surrounding community members,
especially for the new generation, to grow healthy organic non-chemically induced rice, vegetables, and
fruits. According to Lung Jaeng’s observation, our societies nowadays are so used to the convenient way
of living and buying everything from the market without realizing that most of the food products sold in
market heavily contained dangerous chemicals and pesticides, which would eventually lead to severe
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
3
health problems. Unfortunately, the project initiator started their own plans, without having much
support from anyone else.
Since 3 years, Lung Jaeng started all by himself, growing vegetables and fruit trees such as pineapples,
coconuts, mangoes, papayas, aubergines, Chinese lettuce, etc. Moreover, he and his few friends also grow
rice for their own families during August-October and harvest during January. Apart from him, there are
also other few friends in the same village, Lung Sian, and Lung Chiaw, who have been supporting and
coordinating with his initiatives. They always come by for a visit and give Lung Jaeng advice on how to
grow vegetables.
DaLaa sees this a meaningful project for us and volunteers to be involved in, as well as taking the
opportunity to learn about this highly sustainable self-reliant living, especially the most crucial during the
initial time of the project when there are a lot of work to do and things to get improved around.
Since August 2012, several long-term volunteers had participated in the project site, as well as short-term
work camps and a few weekend camps were organized there. We also did basic construction such as
building toilets and digging out wells.
By sending volunteers to work with Lung Jaeng, DaLaa hopes that we can support him with manpower,
energy and skills from the volunteers, and also help him to promote the idea of non-chemical agriculture
among the villagers.
ACTIVITIES:


Work on the vegetable gardens, planting vegetables and nursing young plants
Help on community work if asked by the village
AIMS OF PROJECT
 To support the initiatives of the local host and the continuation of this project
 To build good relationship between volunteers and local people
 To learn ways and exchange knowledge of non-chemical, self-sufficient agriculture through a
concept of ‘learning by doing’
ACCOMMODATION: The host’s vicinity area. Sleeping in tents pitched inside/outside the house
compound
FEE: 7,500 Baht (approx. 190 Euro)
LOCATION: Baan Kok Riang, Klong Hoi Khong, Songkhla province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Thursday 23rd OF APRIL, 2015 at 10 o'clock in the morning at HAT YAI TRAIN
STATION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STC5805
Creative English teaching
and activities with kids
Koh Nangkham,
Pak Payoon,
Pattalung province
18-31 May, 2015
10
VILLAGE BACKGROUND
Ban Koh Nangkham Nua is a Muslim community. It is a small village situated in Pattalung province and
close to the middle part of Songkhla Lake which is Thailand’s biggest lake. The community area is a small
island inside the lake so the main career of the villagers is fisheries. Some work on rubber and palm
plantation, fruit orchards or shrimp farm. During free time, some villagers gain some extra income from
making and selling local desserts and fruit preservation, for instance.
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
4
In the villager, there is one government primary school. It’s been open since 1956. The school offers classes
from kindergarten – grade 6. At the moment, there are 146 students, and 12 teachers. There is one mosque.
You may find more information about Songkhla lake on this following website;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Songkhla_Lake
The main aim for short-term work camp at Ban Koh Nangkham Nua School is to be part of a learning
process for students and villagers. Volunteers will be arranging creative activities with students. In return,
the volunteers can also learn about local fisherman lifestyle of Songkhla Lake.
In small communities in Thailand, local people hardly have contacts with foreigners, while students are
getting pressured from current educational system to study English but they never have a chance to meet
any foreigners. Therefore, the work camp will give them a chance to gain motivation to learn and explore
the cultural diversity by doing creative activities with international volunteers.
Having international volunteers to learn about local fisherman’s lifestyle, it will help the fishermen to feel
more motivated to preserve their local knowledge and wisdom. Apart from that, volunteers can also
become the link between children and villagers to take part in this community learning activities.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Mr. Somhit Chobngam, the acting school principal of Ban Koh Nangkham Nua School, contacted DaLaa to
discuss on the possibility of hosting a short-term work camp as he saw the importance of improving
learning methods for the students. To have a group of international volunteers in his school, he hopes that
children can learn about language and cultures naturally by doing activities with the volunteers. They may
gain more motivation to learn English in the future. At the same time, volunteers can learn about
fisherman’s lifestyle from the community members in return.
This will be our first collaboration between DaLaa and the school. We believe this work camp will be a
good opportunity to have an involvement from teachers, local community leaders, religious leaders and
other local sectors. They will have a meeting to set up responsibilities and participation of the community
members in our activities. The volunteers and DaLaa will cooperate with them on this process so that we
have the same understanding and creating the activities in the direction that everyone agrees.
ACTIVITIES:
 Children and adults can learn English with volunteers
 2-way learning process between local children/ villagers and volunteers
 Better understanding towards local culture
 To build a good relationship between volunteers and local people
 To be part of Koh Nangkham community
ACCOMMODATION: A teacher’s house. Simple living conditions
FEE: 7,500 Baht (approx. 190 Euro)
LOCATION: Koh Nangkham, Pak Payoon district, Pattalung province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Monday 18 of May, 2015 at 10 o'clock in the morning at HAT YAI TRAIN STATION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
5
STC5806
NON-CHEMICAL AND SELFSUFFICIENT AGRICULTURE
Baan Kok Riang,
Klong Hoi Khong,
Songkhla province
10-23 June, 2015
15
VILLAGE BACKGROUND
The village is known as Baan Kok Riang which is situated in Klong Hoi Khong district of Songkhla
province, Southern Thailand. The approximate number of villagers settling in this village is about 1,200
people or 140 families. Most of the villagers own fruit orchard and rubber plantation, and nearly all of
them are Buddhists. There are a few Buddhist temples in the area and lots of rubber plantation lined up
on the sides of the road. Some people living in the village commute to work at nearby town for factories
that export rubber and processed seafood products.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
This is one of our long-term project sites. We in DaLaa, were first introduced to this village, Ban Kok
Riang, through a recommendation from one of the Hat Yai University clubs called Backpackers. The club is
quite active in organizing activities involving environmental conservation, trekking, and initiating
activities with the local communities. Some of these activities they did together with the villagers of Baan
Kok Riang were planting trees at Pa Dam Watershed Waterfall and also by the roadsides as well as
organizing activities with the kids and adults in the village. Whenever they organize projects in the
village, DaLaa will be always invited to join. As up until now, it has been going on for almost 8 years and
the university club is still keeping in touch with the community in the village and initiated beneficial
projects that support the community.
Mr. Suthep Suwankrajang, host and project coordinator, known as Lung Jaeng, has an interest to
produce his own organic food. He himself does not have any agricultural background; however, he took
the initiatives wanting to turn his land properties covering approximately 1 hector of empty land into a
place where everyone can learn and experiment on non-chemical agriculture. This has helped generate
motivations for the other villagers to follow in their footsteps. The main purpose for this effort is to try to
create a learning space functioning sort of as a working model for the surrounding community members,
especially for the new generation, to grow healthy organic non-chemically induced rice, vegetables, and
fruits. According to Lung Jaeng’s observation, our societies nowadays are so used to the convenient way
of living and buying everything from the market without realizing that most of the food products sold in
market heavily contained dangerous chemicals and pesticides, which would eventually lead to severe
health problems. Unfortunately, the project initiator started his own plans without having much support
from anyone else.
It’s been 3 years that Lung Jaeng started all everything by himself such as growing vegetables and fruit
trees which are pineapples, coconuts, mangoes, papayas, aubergines, Chinese lettuce, etc. Moreover, he
and his few friends living in the same village; Lung Sian and Lung Chiaw also grow rice for their own
families during August-October and harvest during January or February. They have been supporting and
coordinating with his initiatives. They always come by for a visit and give Lung Jaeng advice on how to
grow vegetables.
Since this project site was promoted in August 2012, we started to host international long-term
volunteers there, some Thai participants joined the agricultural and construction work activities, and
several short-term work camps and a few weekend camps organized. And today, with help of regular
organization of camps, support of international long-term volunteers and visits paid by people who go
along with the concept of agricultural self-sufficiency, everything seems to get improved little by little.
What have done besides the vegetable gardens is basic construction such as building toilets and digging
out well for water supply in order to make the place ready for becoming a learning center in the future.
DaLaa sees this a meaningful project for us and volunteers to be involved in, as well as taking the
opportunity to learn about this highly sustainable self-reliant living especially the most crucial during the
initial time of the project when there are a lot of work to do and things to get improved around. Moreover,
it’s very important to give them all the help and support that they need in bringing about awareness, and
in the meantime build-up collaborations and train apprentices within their own and neighboring
communities.
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
6
By sending volunteers to work with Lung Jaeng, DaLaa hopes that we can support him with manpower,
energy and skills from the volunteers, and also help him to promote the idea of non-chemical agriculture
among the villagers.
ACTIVITIES:
 Work on the vegetable gardens, planting vegetables and nursing young plants
 Help on community work if asked by the village
 Feeding chickens and ducks
 Cultural exchange with host and Thai volunteers
ACCOMMODATION: The host’s vicinity area. Sleeping in tents pitched inside/outside the house
compound
FEE: 7,500 Baht (approx. 190 Euro)
LOCATION: Baan Kok Riang, Klong Hoi Khong, Songkhla province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: The meeting point is fixed on Wednesday 10th of June, 2015 at 10 o'clock in the
morning at HAT YAI TRAIN STATION or 11 o’clock at Hat Yai Airport
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STC5807
Creative English activities with
children, cultural exchange
and learning fisherman lifestyle
La Ngu district,
Satun province
21 July –
3 August, 2015
15
VILLAGE BACKGROUND
Ban Bo Jed Look village is close to Andaman Sea and it is a Muslim community. It is 18 kilometers from LaNgu district. Most of the villagers earn their living from fishing. The villagers are still very generous and
maintaining local way of living. The community has the population of 788, or 190 families. Most are
Muslims and they still remain their simple lifestyle. They rely on local-made fishing tools that fit different
fishing seasons. By using local fishing methods, it is also how the locals preserve their culture and wisdom.
DaLaa was introduced to Ban Bo Jed Look school by Thailand Research Fund group in Satun. At this school,
there are 8 teachers and more than 100 students. There is no teacher who graduated from English major.
Moreover, due to current government’s polity, the classes are conducted via long-distance satellite system.
So the students can’t have interaction with teachers.
Since the teachers in this school have been working together with Thailand Research Fund group on
alternative education system, the school directors and teachers saw the importance of interactive teaching
methods, especially languages. Therefore, the teachers would like to cooperate with DaLaa to have
international volunteers to initiate creative English activities for the students.
This will be the first collaboration between DaLaa and the school. Both parties have agreed on their will to
improve and see betterment of the kids’ future education. We know that this work camp will not change
the kids’ language ability rapidly from the very basic to the better in just 2 weeks. We actually expect more
than that, we hope to receive good results after volunteers’ participation. If the feedback is positive, we
will continue this collaboration with the school by sending longer-stay volunteers.
About the project school
Ban Bo Jed Look School offers classes from kindergarten to Primary 6 (Grade 6). The school area covers 12
acres on which there is palm plantation and timber. Each student is assigned to take care of 2 plants and
the profits from palm plantation will be spent on learning activities.
In the school compound, there are a fare number of classrooms, library, prayer room, multi-purpose
building, canteen, meeting hall, enough restrooms for teachers and students. The community around the
school is fisherman village. The volunteers can learn about how to make fishing tools, local fishing
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
7
methods, local food and sports, etc. Around the school, there is a local hospital, mosque, Bo Jed Look
archeological site, and natural tourist attractions.
ACTIVITIES
As discussed with the responsible teachers, possible main activities agreed will be:
 Organizing activities with children
 Decorating school area
 Growing vegetables for school lunch project
Volunteers can learn about fishermen’s lifestyle from the students and villagers, as well as international
cultural exchange among the volunteers and local people.
AIMS OF PROJECT
 To conduct creative English activities for students
 To learn about local fishing knowledge and fishermen lifestyle
 To do cultural exchange activities with children, villagers and volunteers
 To be part of Ban Bo Jed Look community
ACCOMMODATION: School classroom, simple living conditions
FEE: 7,500 Baht (approx. 190 Euro)
LOCATION: La Ngu district, Satun province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Tuesday 21st of July, 2015 at 11 o’clock in La Ngu town
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STC5808
ACTIVITIES WITH KIDS,
AGRICULTURE
AND CONSTRUCTION
WORK/RENOVATION
La Ngu district,
Satun province
2-15 August, 2015
15
VILLAGE BACKGROUND
Baan Ta Yang is a Muslim village located a few kilometers away from the coastline of Andaman Sea in
Satun province, Southern Thailand. It is geologically an island in which it is connected by the 2 bridges
leading to La Ngu town, district of Satun province. Villagers’ occupation is mainly individual labor making
a living on their rich natural resources that is river palm tree of which its particular leaf, “Bai Jaak” (Thai
name), is well-known for making roofs, handicraft like baskets and tobacco roll. Its landscape and quality
of soil in general are really suitably appropriate to this kind of tree, and the products processed are of
good quality. The second main occupation of the villagers is fishery industries as the village is surrounded
by river leading to the Andaman Sea.
PROJECT HOST’S INTENTION
Bang Leem is one of Baan Ta Yang villagers and he is an initiator of this project. He believes that the
village and children’s homes should be a principal place to learn about life. However, nowadays, the
community is facing difficulties to manage this role as some parents start to think that to acquire better
education for their children is to send them away to schools in town including private ones that intuition
fees are so costly.
The first idea of Bang Leem is to give opportunities to local kids to learn English. He sees it is an
important tool for their future. Percentage of local kids’ language abilities is very low. They only know
very basic words, few conversations like “How are you? “I am fine” “Thank you and you?” even if their
verbal pronunciation is not really right. It reflects hard situations why quality of kids’ education in rural
areas is still undeveloped. Bang Leem is now taking this project very seriously and wish that international
volunteers can help support him. In addition, sustainable agriculture is one of the local values that the
project host hopes villagers of Baan Ta Yang will see the importance of it.
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
8
This is still the beginning of the collaboration with Baan Ta Yang Village. We had the first work camp in
February 2014 where we could build the volunteers’ accommodation (hut). We started to send the first
Middle term volunteers in mid-2104. This work camp will support this new long term project which its
main aims will concern “Learning Home for Better Education”.
ACTIVITIES
 Organizing activities with kids/providing non-formal classes for kids in the evenings
 Giving creative English classes to the village local school
 Agriculture-creating vegetable gardens (non chemical) at the host’s house
 Construction/renovation work if needed
 Learning local wisdom of handicraft-making products from the river palm leaf, Bai Jaak, from the
elderly as well as learning a fisherman’s way of life.
OBJECTIVES
 Supporting ideas of the project host with benefits towards better education of the village kids
 Locals become able to communicate in English
 Preserving the local traditions and wisdom
 Long-lasting learning exchange between villagers, their children and international volunteers
 Acknowledging importance of sustainable agriculture
 Understanding the importance of the village community life
ACCOMMODATION: In a house compound of project host, simple living conditions
FEE: 7,500 Baht (approx. 190 Euro)
LOCATION: La Ngu district, Satun province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Sunday 2nd of August, 2015 at 11 o’clock in the morning in La Ngu town
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
STC5809
CONSTRUCTION WORK, SELFSUFFICIENT AGRICULTURE
AND ACTIVITIES WITH KIDS
Cha-uat district,
Nakorn Sri Tammarat
province
9-22 September,
2015
15
VILLAGE BACKGROND
The village was named Kuan Mai Bong deriving from its abundance in timber (Kuan Mai Bong = hill of
timber). Due to its fertile of natural resources of hardwood and minerals in the past, this province as well
as the neighboring provinces, Trang and Pattalung, was announced a concession of forestry by the
government in 1971 along with mine industry. The concession had continuously taken away lots of
valuable trees and minerals for years. In the meantime, the government challenged an uprising of antigovernment communist groups at the time, it therefore launched a campaign of communist crackdown
throughout the nation; the mountainous landscape of the three provinces was thought to be a hidden place
of the communists. The forestry and mine concession and throughout the area covering the mountain
range of the three provinces were permanently restrained and being under surveillance of the concerned
government. Years later after the situation improved, the government allowed people to make a living on
the once-spoiled land. It was possessed by newcomers from nearby villages and soon after that an
agricultural community founded.
In 1982, the presence-running government proclaimed this area to be restricted and turned it into a
preserved forest covering 70000 hectares throughout the 3 provinces, Nakorn Sri Tammart, Trang and
Pattalung and launched a policy of pushing settlers to relocate. The villagers rejected but after a
negotiation with the government, they were allowed to live on under the dealt agreement.
Year 2005, Kuan Mai Bong villagers began to be aware of their forestry resources. Losses in natural
abundance in the past made them concern on how man and nature can live in balance. Serious forestry
preservation and rehabilitation were taken place. They gathered to explore their forest, paid more
PROGRAM FOR 2015 SHORT-TERM CAMPS
9
attention to natural resources management concerning protection of flash flood and soil problem. They
came up with activities such as building a natural dike, making a wildfire-defending range and building a
boundary mark between villagers’ land and preserved forest, for example.
THE RUNNING PROJECT
Roy Wan Pan Pba is one of the long term voluntary projects where DaLaa is involved nowadays. It means
that international volunteers (about 4-6) are joining this project on a long term basis (from 2 months up to
1 year). It is located not far from a small village called Kuan Mai Bong (hill of timber). It’s a Buddhist
village situated in a remote area of Cha-uat district of Nakorn Sri Tammarat province, Southern Thailand.
Population of the village consists of approx. 720 people (212 homes). Most villagers make a living on their
property such as rubber plantation and fruit orchard. Some others are temporary workers earning wages
from occasional hire.
The project was started from nothing but motivation and solidarity in March 2011 by the initiatives of a
local environmental activist Pi Ju ( Mr Surasak Yentua)along with support of Kuan Mai Bong villagers and
DaLaa pilot volunteers. Its objective is to focus on participants (kids, volunteers, and locals) to be aware of
importance of staying self-sufficient in their environment and to respect it as a vital part of their life. This
atmosphere is the basic key of the site that everyone can feel and learn from. Volunteers are
working/learning in the week and spreading their experience/feelings with local kids who are coming on
Saturdays. We believe the growing temptation of parents to send their kids to study in the city (for “better
education”) and the dream of some young locals to leave their village for the consumption world can be
refrained by organizing activities, learning and sharing with volunteers from outside. Volunteers are at the
same time students and actors of the project.
Since 2011, Pi Ju has supervised this project to create a kind of model of sustainable garden. Thanks to
great help from the locals and volunteers that they managed to build most facilities to welcome people to
live and visit. There is now adequate availability of food from the vegetables garden, and fruit trees which
already planted.
ACTIVITIES
As a short term volunteer in this long term project, you are expected to join activities going on together
with the host (Pi Ju’s family), villagers and long term volunteers.
There are big chances that you help with some construction/renovation work as there’re buildings there
at the alternative school.
You will have the opportunity to learn way of agricultural self-sufficiency by taking part in the everyday
routine (working in the vegetables gardens), making compost from natural materials, cultivating seeds in
a nursery and planting the ready-to-grown ones out around school area.
You will be organizing activities with kids (only)on Saturdays. Kids from the village and nearby gather at
the school to do activities with the volunteers. About 20-30 children come every week-end to spend time
at the school. The volunteers decide together how the school days are spent. The opportunities are
endless: teaching different subjects such as Basic English, art, agriculture, games… The kids vary in age;
the youngest ones are approximately 7, and the oldest about 20. This is never a problem. They like to
participate in activities together. If you know any activities worth arranging for the kids from your country
or any teaching ideas, please bring supplies you may need with you.
This project is strongly recommended to ones coming with motivation to be embraced with nature, loving
in tranquility and rather stay the distance from civilization. There are few chances for town as it is not
easy to go out often. Volunteers should bear in mind that you’re going to work in team, everything shared,
and responsibility taken equally. Please be prepared to handle hard, physical tasks during your stay at the
project.
AIMS OF PROJECT
 To support Roy Wan Pan Pba project
 To build a good relationship between volunteers and local people
 To let children be familiar with volunteers and learn in international/multi-cultural atmosphere
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ACCOMMODATION: In the alternative school building, simple living conditions
FEE: 7,500 Baht (approx. 190 Euro)
LOCATION: Cha-uat district, Nakorn Sri Tammarat province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Wednesday 9th of September, 2015 at 10 o'clock in the morning at PA PAYOM MINIVAN
STATION (คิวรถตู ้ป่ าพะยอม) in Pa Payom district (it borders with the provinces of Phatthalung and Nakhon
Si Thammarat)
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STC5811
Activities with Kids
Bulon Leh Island,
Satun Province
16-29 November,
2015
10
General Information
Bulon Leh Island is situated far off the coastline in the Andaman Sea under the authority of Mu Koh
Phetra National Park, which is approximately 22 kilometers away or 1.5 hours by boat from the main
pier, Pakbara. It is located in the district of La Ngu, Satun province, Southern Thailand. The majority of
villagers make a living on fisheries and tourism business that are 95% Muslim (approx. 100 residents).
Geologically, this island is surrounded by several other small islands beginning with this initiation
“Bulon” or known as Bulon Archipelagoes. Nowadays, this island has become very much frequently
visited by tourists. It has most public utilities and there available resorts, restaurants, and bars but no
ATM machines. Tourists know its fame for beautiful white sand beaches, peaceful environment, and some
people name it “undisturbed hideaway” compare to other busy islands of Thailand. Still, there’s concern
that this Bulon Leh Island in the near future would be turned into another crowded island where its
nature will be gradually spoiled.
Project Background
The project school called Baan Koh Bulon. It’s a small school situated facing towards the frontline of the
island and in the heart of the island there’s a cluster of small community of fishermen founded. Number of
teachers and students is unevenly estimated each year, but this year they are approximately 5 teachers
and 35 students, ages of children ranged from 5 to 15 years old (from Kindergarten to Grade 9).
We came by chance to know this school after several visits to the island by our Thai and international
volunteers. Every visit our relationship with the school teachers and the villagers was built up. They learn
about our organization and are motivated to collaborate with us on holding this “Activities with Kids
project” for their students.
This will be a third short-term camp organized together with Baan Koh Bulon School. The first one was
held in November 2013 and the second one in November 2014. Thanks to the teachers for their trust in
us!
For more information, facing outward to the sea, there is another Bulon island standing green from your
eye’s view, it’s Bulon Don Island. This island is not a touristic spot, no resorts, just the native fishermen
living. Bulon Leh and Bulon Don are very close to each other. To commute to and from each island, a longtail boat is needed, about 30 minutes.
On these both islands, the 2 schools of the same name, Baan Koh Bulon, is supervised by the same school
director. The first one situated on Bulon Leh Island, and the second one on Bulon Don, both providing a
school curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 9.
Please note that your most involvement will be with the school on Bulon Leh Island. However, a
possibility to organize activities with kids on Bulon Don Island can be discussed during the camp.
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Possible Activities:
Give non-formal English classes by organizing creative activities
Create teaching materials for teachers and kids
Adapt the classrooms by decorating/painting
Improve the school area (creating new gardens, for example)
Activities with villagers: clean up the island, host family, or fishing trip with fishermen
Aims of project
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To support Baan Koh Bulon School
To be part of the community of Koh Bulon Leh Island
To let children be familiar with volunteers and learn in international/multi-cultural atmosphere
ACCOMMODATION: In school building, simple living conditions
FEE: 8,000 Baht (approx. 210 Euro)
LOCATION: Bulon Leh Island, Satun province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Monday, November 16th, 2015 at Pakbara Pier (ท่าเรือปากบารา) in La Ngu district of
Satun province. Meeting time is 11.00 in the morning in front of 7/11( 24-hour convenient store).
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STC5812
Non-Chemical Agriculture and
Activities with Children
Sukorn Island,
Trang province
17-30 December,
2015
15
Village Background
Sukorn Island (Koh Sukorn) is a small island situated in Palian district, Trang province. The island covers
an area of 8,750 Rai. For this workcamp, we will be conducting activities with communities in Baan Laem
and Baan Toong village. In these 2 villages, there is population of 1,189 or 337 families, of which 95% are
Muslims. The common occupations of the villagers are fishing, rubber tapping, as well as agriculture;
growing paddy, watermelons, traditional way of growing vegetables, and keeping livestock. In general the
villagers are very generous and still remain the culture of supporting and sharing with each other.
Furthermore, they also believe that paddy and agriculture is the main food stability of the village.
Project Background
Already some years, a group of local researchers has been working with the 2 communities mentioned
above. In one community, the village members are still remaining their traditional way of living, while in
another, people started to drop their old values and turning to development from the cities. Less and less
people are working on paddy fields, or growing their own food supply as it is easier to buy. Therefore,
these researchers aim to bring awareness to the locals to keep their old lifestyle and revive the tradition of
growing paddy, other traditional agriculture, as well as developing local rice species and doing farmer’s coop.
This will be a continuing collaboration since our first work camp last December 2013 in Sukorn Island, or
we may name it a thankful opportunity given by the researcher team and local villagers to bring DaLaa
back to their communities again.
During this work camp, we will get a chance to join hands with the community members to preserve the
local agriculture, while we can learn about their way of living. Moreover, we will be creating activities and
games with children and young people to open their views and let them learn about international culture
together with the volunteers. We will need your creativity and ideas of games and activities that will create
a multi-cultural atmosphere for them.
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Possible Activities:
 Growing vegetables together with village members and students
 Making compost, taking care of paddy field, and making bio-fertilizer
 Creating fun games and activities for children. In this work camp, we may be working with
about 20-30 children at aged between 10-14 years old.
 Learning and integrating in the fisherman’s lifestyle
Aims of project
 To support the initiatives of local agricultural activities
 To fully and wisely utilize local resources
 To be part of the communities
 To let children be familiar with volunteers and learn in international/multi-cultural
atmosphere
ACCOMMODATION: One-storey house situated in the rice field, simple living conditions
FEE: 8,000 Baht (approx. 210 Euro)
LOCATION: Sukorn Island, Trang province, Southern Thailand
MEETING POINT: Thursday, December 17th, 2015 at TRANG TRAIN STATION (สถานีรถไฟตรัง) in Trang
province at 11.00 AM.
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