Andaman Discoveries Blog
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
November Volunteers
We visited them at the schools and were lucky to get some beautiful pictures. Yvette, Iris and Stefanie reflected upon their first day in the Kuraburi Nursery School: ”The children, happy and pleased to see us, were excited and eager to learn. They were not shy and even gave us a hug when the school was finished!”
reflections upon your experiences.
Labels: Burmese Learning Center, Kuraburi Junior School, Nursery School, southern thailand orphanage, teaching english, volunteering Thailand
Monday, August 23, 2010
Nutrition for Needy Children – School Lunch Project
The 90 students from the Burmese Learning Center in Kuraburi need at least one healthy meal per day. While a few get packed lunch, many eat sweets for breakfast and dry instant noodles for lunch.The dedicated teachers at the center have requested our help in providing lunch for the children. Without a food budget, and barely able to cover teacher salary, the center needs our help to make sure the kids have a more healthy diet.
Please help - you can make a difference in the quality of life and general health of the children. Visit http://www.andamandiscoveries.com/pdf/child-nutrition-project.pdf for details -- it’s only $50 per day to feed 90 children.
The Kuraburi area, and southern Thailand in general, is home to a large population of Burmese migrant workers. These hardworking people often come illegally in the hope of finding income and a better life. Their children mostly lack access to education and adequate nutrition. Unlike so many other areas, Burmese children living near the Kuraburi pier are able to take classes at a learning center (where I was recently volunteering!).
The lunch program will:
- guarantee that children have one healthy nutritious meal a day
- create community by bringing together teachers and volunteers to cook and then share a meal with the children
- give the children an opportunity to learn roles and responsibilities during cooking, eating, and cleanup
- alleviate the financial burden on already struggling parents
Labels: Burmese Learning Center, Kuraburi
Monday, March 29, 2010
Burmese Learning Center Field Trip
by Laura Pelegrina
2 march 2010
A special day for the Burmese Learning Center. Today it’s the last day of Leo a volunteer from Danemark. He spent one month at the school and teach English to the kids.
That was a fantastic experience and he wanted to give something special to their children. So he hired a bus and we went to the beach in the morning, playing games as cartwheel on the sand, or making sandcastle. We all had so much fun. And how it’s so beautiful to see their eyes sparkling everywhere , just happy to be along the coast.
Then we went to river next to Kuraburi , we had lunch there. Everyone helped , making the sauce, spread the rice into lunch boxes, mashed the chili for the salad and the chicken…. We had a Burmese meal , delicious !! And all that in a wonderful place, following music and the famous dance “Do RE Mi .“
To finish the day everybody in the river, bigger tried to make some jump in the water, and the little children stayed long the coast and starting to learn how to swim. It was magical , even for me that was one of my best day in my life. A day full of smiles and happiness.
Labels: Burmese Learning Center
Monday, August 31, 2009
Experiences to Savor
Burmese Students impacted by Volunteer
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| Jeannine volunteering at the Burmese Learning Center. |
“Forming fantastic relationships with the children and the staff will forever be treasured by me.
"Things that made my stay memorable were the little things unbeknownst to me. At the last class every day, I would say 'see you tomorrow', and before I knew it, the students were saying it to me at the day’s end. I thought, How do they know that?, Then I realized that despite thinking the students were not learning, that every little thing you do and say is savored.
"Experiences I treasure include seeing the joy and excitement when giving such little things like a pencil, balloon or even a piece of paper to draw on, hearing the younger children start to say a rhyme because they want to sing it with you, watching them going from building single towers from Play-Doh to constructing various towers and buildings. Asking questions of the older children and getting the right answer the next day, when I thought no one was really listening, will last with me forever.
"The Burmese people live a very basic life and face many challenges, so the work you do is hugely appreciated. I can see from the parents around the school that the time we spend is greatly valued. Helping educate the children in any way is a huge step toward a better life.
"The whole experience has been memorable for me. I plan to return home, work hard, earn some money and come right back for more."
If you’d like to contribute your time to volunteering at the Burmese School, please contact us to learn more about how you can get involved.
Labels: Burmese Learning Center, long-term volunteering, teaching english, volunteering Thailand
News that’s Fit to Print
Journalists become a part of the story
We welcomed freelance journalist Sarah Warwick in July. During her visit, she spent time in Ban Talae Nok, the Burmese Learning Center, and Kamphuan Community Learning Center.
Sarah is writing about community tourism and voluntourism for TNT magazine. She said she “felt an affinity with the town of Kuraburi because you get a real feel for the people and they are so friendly.” Thank you for visiting Sarah. We hope to see you again.
Rebecca Kelly wrote, “Yes, we’re living through some tough economic times. But instead of staying at home and sticking your head in the sand, read on about the growing number of people choosing to roll up their sleeves and become involved in projects aimed at making the world a better place. Voluntourism is a way for people to combine their tropical trip with a working holiday – and across Asia there’s certainly no shortage of worthy projects on which to lend a hand.”
Read the entire article in fahThai, click here or visit our press page.
Labels: Ban Talae Nok, Bangkok Airways, Burmese Learning Center, fah Thai, Kamphuan Learning Center
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Lesson Plans
Burmese Learning Center Welcomes Teachers According to Thai law, all children, regardless of their status in the country, are entitled to receive an education. Children of migrant Burmese workers, however, face overwhelming challenges, including communication issues, the lack of resources for them at schools, and prohibitive expenses for supplies and uniforms. For these children, The Kuraburi Burmese Learning Center and volunteers like Rebecca Lilly (UK) are critical to a hopeful future.
“In the brief month that I taught at the Burmese Learning Center, I felt that I developed relationships with the students and teachers. The students’ confidence and skills grew steadily, as did mine, as I learned to find my footing as a teacher in Thailand,” said Rebecca, who volunteered from mid-May to mid-June. Rebecca chronicled her experiences as a first-time teacher, as well as adjusting to life in rural Thailand with a surprise reptilian roommate.
Teaching at the Burmese Learning Center is one of several long-term volunteering programs offered by Andaman Discoveries. We can also arrange placements at the Phuket Disabled School or a Southern Thailand Orphanage. For more on Rebecca’s experience, check out her recent blog posts.
Labels: Burmese Learning Center, education, migrant workers
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Rebecca’s Journal – Life at the Burmese Learning Center
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| Volunteer English teachers, Jeannine and Rebecca, prepare for an afternoon of classes at the Burmese Learning Center. |
The last week of school came too quickly. In the brief month that I taught at the Burmese Learning Center, I felt that I developed relationships with the students and teachers. The students’ confidence and skills grew steadily, as did mine, as I learned to find my footing as a teacher in Thailand.
It was motivating to learn that I could lead classes, despite being without a formal teaching background. The month at the Burmese Learning Center allowed me to discover an artist and teacher within me.
I was instantly made welcome by the Burmese Learning Center staff. The staff supported me, so that there was always someone there if I was to encounter any problems. The children are lovely, full of personality and a pleasure to teach. There is a great atmosphere at the center.
To anyone considering taking the leap to teach in Thailand through Andaman Discoveries - I have one word – Jump!
Labels: Burmese Learning Center, education, teaching english, volunteer
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Rebecca's Journal - Introduction
Burmese Learning Center Welcomes English Teachers
We were fortunate to have Rebecca (UK) with us from mid-May to mid-June. She came to us through our partner organization, Twin UK, to teach English at the Burmese Learning Center.
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| Jeannine (volunteer English teacher), Kelly, Karen, and Rebecca at the Burmese Learning Center. |
Rebecca wrote about her experiences as a first-time teacher, being a newbie in Kuraburi and meeting her roommate, "Gary the Gecko."
“In the brief month that I taught at the Burmese Learning Center, I felt that I developed relationships with the students and teachers. The students' confidence and skills grew steadily, as did mine, as I learned to find my footing as a teacher in Thailand,” said Rebecca.
Her stories will be shared on the blog in the upcoming weeks, so check back soon.
Teaching at the Burmese Learning Center is one of several long-term volunteering programs offered by Andaman Discoveries. We can also arrange placements at the Phuket Disabled School or a Southern Thailand Orphanage.
Labels: Burmese Learning Center, education, Kuraburi, teaching english, volunteer
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