English Teaching and Homestay in Hilltribe Village

Karen Hilltribe village at Ban Pa Do Tha - Duration: 1 - 4 weeks

This home-stay program has been developed to give you the opportunity to experience Thai culture in an authentic and inexpensive way. You can learn about the traditional life of the Karen people, experience English teaching and learn about farming and about the nature and its inhabitants in Um-Phang. The local people benefit as their children are being taught English, which gives them good opportunities for future jobs. Besides that, they can use your help with farming and general house activities. Income generated is handed over to the local people, who will benefit from your participation.

Read what other people have had to say about this trip here or read detailed feedback from one of our recent volunteers here...

About the Area
Ban Pa-Do-Tha is a large and ancient Karen village in the district of Umphang. It is located on the edge of the Mae Klong, 7 kilometres away from the city of Umphang. To make a living, the local people take care of elephants which are used for transport; they also do hand weaving and grow rice and chili. The Karen villages have been built entirely from natural materials and the villagers in Ban Pa-Do-Tha happily co-exists in harmony with the natural riches which surround them. The mountainous area is rich with streams, irrigation canals, rivers, rice fields, fruit orchards and vegetable gardens. Ban Pa-Do-Tha village basically consists of a number of small groups of houses (villages) with farmlands in between. There is always a stream or river nearby and at the centre of each village you will find a monastery (Wat). Buddhism still plays an important role in the every day life of the Karen people.

Um-Phang is located near the Eastern Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the richest forests in the country, home to many wild animals including wild elephants, leopards, languors, bison, bears, tigers, apes and many others. It is also the habitat for many species of butterflies and birds including the rare hornbill. There are many lovely waterfalls in the area including Tee Low Soo, which said to be the most beautiful waterfall in Thailand.

Itinerary
We can pick you up in Bangkok and we then travel by bus to Um-Phang. We continue the travel to our final destination by local truck. At Um-Phang, you will learn about the ethnic minority groups that inhabit the area as well as the social and political situation in Burma. You'll learn about the history of the Karen people, about their customs and religion and about the role that tourism plays in their current lives.

On a day-to-day base, you are expected to teach the local children English and to help out with farming and home activities. As most children do not speak any English yet, you have to be a little creative with teaching methods (or you must already speak the Thai language!). Evenings and weekends can be spent freely. You can stay at the village, visit the city Um-Phang or explore the beautiful area around the district of Um-Phang. Some of the highlights here are caves, gorgeous temples and the beautiful Tee-Law-Soo waterfall. We can arrange local guides to join you on these nature trips. At the village, you can experience the warmth and hospitality of the local people, as you become part of the extended family with whom you live. The local people will also help you to master the basics of the Thai language.

Accommodation
Accommodation is very basic. You will stay in the bamboo house of a local family. You will receive a handmade mat to sleep on and clean bedding. If you do not want to sleep on the hard ground, you may want to bring a sleeping bag to put between you and the mat. We will provide you with a mosquito net. The villages are not very developed. The bathroom consists of an "Asian" toilet. There is no shower, but cold clean water is available to wash yourself with. If you prefer, you can also shower in the fresh and clean river near the village.

Meals
Your 'home-stay' family will take good care of you. You will be served a variety of Thai local dishes 3 times a day. If you get hungry in between you can always ask for a snack, which is no problem. Cold water, tea and coffee are freely available, soft drinks and alcohol can be purchased in the village.

Requirements
If you are interested in joining this challenging program, you need to meet a few basic rules:

*	Minimum age of 20 years (normally)
*	Basic knowledge of the English language (non native speakers are also welcome)
*	Minimum stay of 1 week
*	Willingness to teach English to local people, help out with farming and with house activities
*	A normal level of fitness, you need to be capable of doing some hiking and farm work without health problems.
*	You need to respect the Thai culture, be open-minded and have a social attitude towards the local people.

Included

*	Advice on transportation from Bangkok to Ban Pa-Do-Tha (if required we can also arrange this on your behalf)
*	Local transportation at the village
*	All fees for participating in the Homestay Project
*	Accommodation at the project
*	All meals and coffee, tea and water during your stay
*	Supervision