English Teaching and Homestay in Hilltribe Village
FEEDBACK FROM DAN – Karen Hilltribe Village Homestay
June 2006
We got a hell of a lot out of the two weeks. Well worth it in every sense.
Here are my answers to your questions:
How was your overall experience?
Excellent, it enabled us to do everything we'd set out for. As far as a teaching experience is concerned, we certainly received a very good taste of that. We were sometimes stretched and needed to use our initiative frequently. You could have as much to do with the local community as you wish, and people are quite happy to answer any questions about Karen culture and how their lifestyle is changing for better or worse. Overall, we felt that the time we volunteered was beneficial to the children.
Any particular high (or low) points?
Getting on a roll teaching in the classroom is excellent - the moment when you begin to make headway and realise the children are enjoying it too. Generally being part of the community and among the people made the experience. That said, travelling to Thi Lor Su waterfall by boat (an option we paid for) and working in the fields in Umphang Kee were excellent too!
Perhaps the only low point is realising that there is only a small amount you can achieve in two weeks (stay longer if you can). Also I wasn't quite sure how the teacher disciplined the kids - we suspect that the odd tap may have been involved, although nothing truly aggressive.
Was the experience pretty much as you expected and if not, in what ways did it differ?
I didn't have much of a preconception of what day to day life would be like, but I knew that conditions would be basic through western eyes. It' is easy to keep dry, and you'll never go hungry if Supat is your guide! The village does have some mod cons; squint and you could think it a normal Thai village. The agricultural techniques, housing, occasional piece of dress (which is not popular among the young) and ceremonies remind you that you are with the Karen. TV's now abound, even a mere year after solar electric was supplied to the village. Such is the spread of modern culture! I even saw one of the kids in a pair of Norwich City FC shorts. How obscure is that?
Did you find accommodation reasonably comfortable? What about food?
The accommodation is basic, but if you read anything about hill tribes before you go, you'll know what to expect. Whilst we were there the original home stay house was repaired, you will not be shifting another family out of their home temporarily if you visit now! It was not exactly comfortable, but I would expect that. A decent mossie net is a must, but we left our camping mats behind, which you can collect from Um when you pass through Mae Sot on your way to the project. It is pretty noisy at night because of all the wildlife and the nearby river, so a pair of earplugs might be useful to a light sleeper. If you do wake up during the night you'll witness the best night sky crammed with stars possible.
I'm vegetarian, but I absolutely loved the food. You'll get the chance to eat loads of fresh fruit and veg from the fields or the surrounding forests - amazing. Supat is a great cook, and if you like Thai food you'll be in heaven. The only ingredient I didn't like was a thing called 'Healthy Egg' widely available in Thai supermarkets; I wasn't keen on it at all. Still the dogs got fed! Make sure you remind whoever cooks that you don't want any oyster sauce used in the preparation if you are vegetarian or 'man sat wirat' in Thai.
James, my friend who came with me, isn't vegetarian, and he enjoyed the food very much too.
Were you happy with the level of support from Go Differently staff?
Yes, thank you Nikki - you were great :) I appreciated the personal call when the O-cha couldn't locate us at the hostel in Bangkok to begin with.
How helpful did you find the pre-departure information and was there anything else you wished you had known?
Departure information was good, but we would have liked to have known that we'd be expected to pay for the bus back from Mae Sot to Bangkok. Also you are collected from your hostel to begin with, but return journey ends at Bangkok central bus station.
More specific information on where the children were in terms of their standard of English would have been very useful, but hopefully, I can help sort that one out. :)
Were you happy with the level of support from local staff?
Yes, generally they were always friendly and supportive. When I stupidly lost my wallet on the dirt track back from Umphang, people went out of their way to help me look for it, driving all the way back to Umphang with torches. They also helped me at the police station in Umphang when we sadly didn't find it.
The guides are extremely flexible, and you can do as much or little as you want. I believe you must commit to at least a full days teaching every weekday, if you want to visit though.
What impression did you get from the local people i.e. were they happy/comfortable with your presence/arrangements in general?
General acceptance. They were friendly and weren't shy to ask for our help - which I really liked. Too Ndouy Por, one of the elders in the village in particular interest in looking after us, and performed a Karen 'good luck' ritual on James on his birthday!
Everything is fairly informal, and as long as you understand that, you'll get the hang of the place.
Would you recommend this trip to other people?
Without reservation.
Is there anything else/helpful hints, you might like to offer to future volunteers?
Anyone who visits in good humour and a spirit of goodwill will have a fantastic time. Remember everything is flexible and informal.
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