FRIENDS FOR LIFE 2018

The idea for this program is that one chinese person will be matched with a non-chinese person, and that the two of you will spend most of your time here together during these two weeks. This is so you truly can get to know each other and exchange your lifestories between the two of you. When you leave, you will hopefully be friends for life and keep in touch with each other. When you arrive here in Singburi for the first time you will meet the participant that you have been matched with for the first time. But 14-30 days before coming here you will get information and contact information of your match, so you can talk with each other before coming here on social media, email etc. The match is decided by us, and is based on your age, education, hobbies etc. During Siam Culture week, which will be your first week here, you will learn about Thai culture, get an insight into the language and have a taste of what has made Thai cooking so famous around the world. You will visit Wat Phra Non Jaksi Worovihan temple (famous for containing one of the largest indoor reclining Buddha statues) the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, have monkeys jumping on your head in Lopburi and much more! Moreover, you will get to meet people, take a Thai cooking lesson, learn the basics of the language, and get a firsthand understanding of the Thai way of life. During the entire program we will have teambuilding activities and other fun stuff going on. This is because we want you to learn more about each other and work more on the friendships that we are building. You will also be accommodated with your match, so you can spend as much time together as possible. During your second week here you will spend time at our orphanage which provides housing, food and education for orphaned children, as well as those whose families cannot afford to take care of them. Moreover, we house children who come from hill tribes, but were registered as orphans in order for them to be considered Thai citizens. The program consists of construction and renovation work that aims to improve the school and living standards for all the children. Additionally, you might get the chance to teach English on a non-formal basis, to help the children in their vegetable garden (for their studies and own consumption) or to create activities and arrange workshops for hygiene, cultural exchange, environmental and other important issues or anything else that might come to mind. Our main aim, however, is always to construct and renovate the orphanage grounds, so do expect to work long hours under the sun and get your hands dirty! When the two weeks are over you will get a gift. The gift will be split into two and shared between the two of you. Your piece will be unique, and will only fit together with your friends piece.