📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Ban Thap School, located in the remote Tha Pha Sub-district of Mae Chaem District in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand, is a small primary school under the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) Chiang Mai Area 6. Nestled deep within the Thanon Thong Chai mountain range, the school serves as a vital educational sanctuary for the children of the Ban Thap community. Unlike the larger urban schools in the Chiang Mai valley, Ban Thap School operates in a high-altitude, rural setting where the daily lives of students are intimately connected to the forest and the traditional agricultural cycles of the highlands.
The school currently provides education for approximately 131 students from Kindergarten through Grade 6 (Primary Years 1–6). The student population is predominantly composed of children from the Pakanyaw (Karen) ethnic group, many of whom speak their native Karen language as their mother tongue. These students come from hardworking farming families who rely on upland rice cultivation and seasonal crops. As a remote educational outpost, Ban Thap School plays a definitive role in providing these children with foundational literacy, numeracy, and life skills, serving as a crucial bridge that connects their rich indigenous heritage with the opportunities of the modern Thai educational system.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will work as English teachers assistant, preparing lessons or English Camp with the teacher at the school.
Creative teaching English – Non-formal education tools can be used for creative teaching; volunteer is not required teaching certificate but required to be creative.
Aims of creative teaching is giving the chance for students in the school and local community to have an opportunity to communicate with different languages and learn different cultures.
Volunteer would use Non-formal education tools to make activities based on Intercultural and language such as the games, songs, storytelling, and dancing. Also, it should focus on communication; listening and speaking.
In addition volunteer can create theirs national club, for example, German club,
Korean club to exchange with students in Language and culture.
Working Hours:
Monday to Friday, 08:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Includes a one-hour lunch break
Weekend is free time
🏠 Accommodation on site
At the teacher's house, 2.5 kilometers from school. There will be 2 volunteers per room with a shared bathroom. There is a common area and a kitchen.
Lunch will be provided at the school. Volunteers will cook breakfast and dinner using local Thai ingredients.
Internet will be available at both the accommodation and the working place, or you can purchase a Thai SIM card.
📍 About the location
Mae Chaem District in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand,
ℹ️ Additional information
Clothing:
Lightweight, breathable fabrics suitable for warm weather.
Modest attire that respects local customs (long skirts or trousers for women, shirts with sleeves).
Comfortable shoes for walking and working.
Teaching Materials:
Educational resources such as books, lesson plans, and flashcards.
Art supplies (crayons, markers, construction paper) for engaging students in creative activities.
Basic stationery (notebooks, pens, pencils) to share with students.
Health and Hygiene Items:
Personal medications and a basic first-aid kit.
Mosquito repellent and sunscreen to protect against sunburn and insect bites.
Hand sanitizer and hygiene products.
Technology:
A laptop or tablet (if available) to help with lesson planning and presentations.
Portable charger or power bank, as electricity may be limited in some areas.
Gifts for Students:
Small items like pens, notebooks, or educational games to foster goodwill and create a positive atmosphere.
Cultural Items:
Items that showcase your own culture (e.g., traditional crafts or food items) to share with students and teachers, promoting cultural exchange.
Local Currency:
Bring some Thai Baht for local purchases. Familiarize yourself with exchange rates before traveling.
We recommend to buy local sim cards ipon your arrival for internet, E-sim or roaming. You can use the internet wifi at the school
