EDUCATION PROJECT

WHY?
The Akha people are famous for traditional values and practices, their colourful embroidered costume, and the women’s elaborate headdresses. Traditionally, the village has lived off the land; practicing “slash-and-burn” agriculture that required them to relocate their village every few years. External factor such as border controls, forestry police and royal projects have increased the pressures of changing on the Akha people. Change is inevitable. What is important is that this village has control of its future and that the decisions impacting the people from the village lies in the hands of the village. Only then they can find a balance, best suited to them, between traditional and modern life. The villagers have decided that the first step for them to have control over the changes is to get the same education available for their children to other Thai citizens.

WHAT?
The children of this villages and surrounding villages go to primary and middle school (age: 5 – 16) in the Thai village down the hill. To finish high school (age: 16 – 18) and get a diploma they must go to Chiang Rai. Some children have gone to weekend school to complete some high school grades, but the quality of education is inferior to that in regular schools. In May 1999, the village sent seven children to study at the high school in Chiang Rai. However, the cost of food, school needs, uniforms, textbooks and accommodation are very difficult to cover from selling handicrafts. The Akha Hill Student Project is able to help children from 4 local villages go to primary and middle high school locally.

HOW?
Village resident , Apae, has developed four sources of funding to help support the village children’s education for primary and middle high school.

The money raised goes towards helping put the local children through school, and improving the facilities of the school in the village of Pong Nam Rhon.At the moment the secondary students have no classroom and have to study in an outdoor tent. Building has commenced on the new classroom but unfortunately we have no more funds to continue.The village people hope to continue to educate their children. However, this will not be possible without your support!!! We require individual or group sponsors to help us to assist these students. Your participation- big or small - in the Akha Hill student project is greatly appreciated!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN THE HILL TRIBE VILLAGES IN THE MOUNTAINS, NORTH THAILAND.

The local school relies on volunteers to teach basic English to the Akha, Thai, Lisu and Chinese village children (age: 5 – 15) as there is no regular English Teacher. We need English speaking volunteers for two weeks and / or preferably longer to teach English. Rooms are free, provided at the Akha Hill House and Lunch provided Monday to Friday at school. You have to pay for your Dinner + Breakfast and your drinks. This is a truly wonderful experience for those who choose to volunteer, as it is a unique opportunity to experience and be part of life in a hill tribe village.
If you would like to apply to volunteer with us, we ask that you send us an email detailing any experience you may have, your country of origin (i.e. if English is your 1st language), if you can speak any Thai (a help but not necessary) and anything else about yourself that may be relevant. In regard to the amount of time you can spend with us, the longer the better! It can be disruptive for the children, after bonding with the teachers and getting to understand the various accents, to have the teacher leave after a short time. We also need help with English translation, helping with the web site and replying to emails from Akha Hill customers. If you can help with the web sites php and html we can give you a special deal!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

For more information on all of the above, please contact:

Website: www.akhahill.com

Volunteer English Teaching Thailand
Volunteer English Teacher Thailand

VOLUNTEER ENGLISH TEACHER CHIANGRAI
Volunteer Chiangrai
VOLUNTEER NORTHERN THAILAND