Only 300€ per week!
Karen Tribe Teaching
Kaeng Krachan and Hua Hin - Thailand
Get a taste of authentic Thailand! Teach at the local Karen Hill tribe school and explore some of the country’s most spectacular national parks!
Live among the Karen Hill tribe in their village. You will get the chance to teach English at a local school and help out with community entrepreneurial efforts. You will also get to enjoy one of Thailand’s most breathtaking views, as the village is set amid Kaeng Krachan National Park, known for its abundance in biodiversity and incomparable beauty.
Program
Living
Surroundings
Thailand
Program Description
You will be staying in one of the most beautiful natural areas of Thailand: Kaeng Krachan National Park. This park is well-known for its abundance in biodiversity and its wide variety of flora and fauna. It truly is a haven for biologists and nature lovers. The Karen Tribe Teaching program takes place in local Karen Hill tribe villages close to the border with Myanmar.
In recent years, the government has placed a continued emphasis on the teaching of the English language. Despite this, English literacy rates in Thailand remain one of the lowest in Asia.
During the Karen Tribe Teaching program, you will assist the school by giving English language lessons to the children, as well as helping out with community enterprise efforts. Some of the locals are preparing banana chip snacks or other items for sale to supplement their incomes.
You are always welcome to arrange extra activities and games for the children, who love to swim in the nearby river. At the end a school day, you may even help walk the kids back to their homes.
Besides the teaching program, there is a lot to see and explore in this beautiful location. As part of the program, we will take you to a local market and an outstanding waterfall, where you will be able to swim!
To experience the full potential of this program it will help to be open-minded, and a nature lover, as well as, willing to assist and understand the needs of the Karen people and culture.
Aims & Objectives
- Improve the educational prospects of village children by teaching them English
- Gain a unique, life-changing experience among a Thai hill tribe community and facilitate meaningful cultural exchange
- Gain invaluable, practical experience in teaching
Schedule
Sunday (Hua Hin)
- If this is your first week, you will be transferred directly from Bangkok to Hua Hin upon arrival. Depending on your previous week's program, you will be transferred to Hua Hin after brunch
- Dinner at Hua Hin accommodation.
Monday to Wednesday (Kaeng Krachan)
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Kaeng Krachan
- Morning ritual at the school with the children (singing the national anthem)
- English teaching
- Break
- English teaching
- Assist in the canteen to prepare lunch for the children
- Lunch at the school
- Rest time
- Possible opportunity for helping local entrepreneurs or painting & other fun activities/games with the children
- Dinner
Thursday (Kaeng Krachan)
- Breakfast
- Morning ritual at the school with the children (singing the national anthem)
- Visit a nearby waterfall
- Lunch at the school
- Karen traditional weave bag, decorate their own bag with beads
- Rest time
- Possible opportunity for helping local entrepreneurs or painting & other fun activities/games with the children
- Dinner
Friday (Hua Hin)
- Breakfast at the school
- Morning ritual at the school (singing the national anthem)
- Teaching
- Break
- Teaching
- Assist in the canteen to prepare lunch for the children
- Lunch at the school
- Head back to Hua Hin
- Explore the coastal city of Hua Hin, have dinner and spend the night there
Note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Note: From mid-March to mid-May and all of October when schools are closed you will stay in Hua Hin and we will provide English camps for the local children.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Minimum age: –
Maximum age: –
Minimum English level: Basic
CRB required: On Signup
Passport copy required: No
Resume copy required: No
Required qualification: None
Additional Requirements
There are no further requirements for this program.
Additional Equipment
- Modest clothing (covering the knees and shoulders) is required for your entire time at the school and when out in the local community.
Location
Kaeng Krachan is the largest National Park in Thailand and is located close to the border with Myanmar. Our accommodation is set on the school compound of a Karen Tribe village inside the park. It is located approximately 65 kilometers from Hua Hin. 5 hours from Bangkok.
Kaeng Krachan National Park consists of jungle, mountains, hills, lakes, waterfalls and rivers. This area is well-known for its very high rate of biodiversity and tropical vegetation.
About the Accommodation
The accommodation is located on the school compound of a Karen Tribe village in Kaeng Krachan National Park. At this great location, you will live inside a Karen Tribe Village with basic facilities. You will have the chance to be immersed in the Karen culture at this unique site.
Food Arrangements
Three meals will be provided each day at the accommodation. These are typically Thai-style.
Facilities
There is a local shop inside the village where participants can buy their necessities. However, there is no ATM available. Although you don’t need much money at all during your stay in the village, please make sure to bring some cash with you to fulfill your own needs whenever necessary.
Activities & Events
Varying times
Throughout the week, we will take you to a local market, visit beautiful natural sceneries and a waterfall. There is also a river nearby where the local Karen children love to take a dive in. You are free to join the fun at any time or walk around to enjoy one of the most beautiful and untouched areas of Thailand.
Sights & Surroundings
Kaeng Krachan National Park, with it’s high rate of biodiversity and tropical vegetation, is heaven for nature lovers. Kaeng Krachan has it all: wild animals, beautiful trees, plants and flowers, stunning mountain sceneries and hills, beautiful rivers and lakes and an authentic local tribe population.
Transportation
From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):
- Akha Village Chiang Rai
- All around Thailand
- Around Thailand
- Hua Hin
- Kanchanaburi
- Mae Sot
- Singburi
- Suphan Buri
- Train Track Northern Thailand
- Trunk to the South
- Udon Thani
- Umphang
- Wang Nam Khiao
Location
Located just 280 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations for locals and Expats alike. It is convenient and ever developing because it is where the city meets the sea. Here you will find scrumptious seafood, lively markets, never-sleeping bars, long beaches, and palm tree-decorated landscapes which have turned this former fishing enclave into a what is now a bustling town, brimming with anything and everything a visitor, tourist, or traveler could ever want!
About the Accommodation
Our center is located in the hilly countryside of Prachuap Khiri Khan province amidst green surroundings. The accommodation consists of spacious rooms. There is a common area with a refrigerator, hammocks and a large communal swimming pool for you to chill.
Food Arrangements
All the meals served inside the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and you can expect that they will be typically Thai, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.
While we do our best to accommodate our participants, what we provide for most meals is local cuisine. If you are a picky eater, have dietary restrictions, or if you think that you will not be satisfied with the local dishes provided, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking. From our accommodation and you can use our bikes to ride to a few convenience stores nearby.
Please keep in mind that refrigerator space is limited and to prevent insect infestation open food items are not allowed in the rooms.
Facilities
Most of your day will be spent in Hua Hin city center, where all amenities can be found.
Activities & Events
Tuesday Evening
You will go to the night market in Hua Hin city. Try some of the delicious local food that is freshly cooked and instantly served to you. Taste a variety of inexpensive street food.
Wednesday Evening
You will go to the night market in Hua Hin city. Try some of the delicious local food that is freshly cooked and instantly served to you. Taste a variety of inexpensive street food.
Friday Evening
You will go to the Cicada Market, a colorful night market offering freshly cooked food from different shopkeepers. Look around the many art exhibitions, see the local handmade products and souvenirs which are very attractive and listen to live music featuring local artists.
Sights & Surroundings
Hua Hin is a lively fisherman-town and popular tourist destination, and it has a lot to offer besides just sunbathing, snorkeling and swimming at its golden beaches. Not only are there plenty of seafood restaurants and other eateries to choose from, but visitors can also enjoy golf, spas, shops, markets (including a popular night market), and Hua Hin’s Vana Nava water park.
You might also consider visiting Khao Tekiab, a mountain at the end of the beach with a temple atop that overlooks the beach.
Hua Hin is also surrounded by beautiful national parks and you might decide to go slightly further afield to explore the likes of the Pa La-U Waterfall, located 60 km west of Hua Hin in the south side of the Kaeng Krachan National Park. Alternatively, 45 km to the south of Hua Hin is the mystical Phraya Nakhon cave for the more adventurous!
Transportation
From this location we provide free transport to your next program at the following location(s):
- Akha Village Chiang Rai
- All around Thailand
- Around Thailand
- Kaeng Krachan
- Kanchanaburi
- Mae Sot
- Singburi
- Suphan Buri
- Train Track Northern Thailand
- Trunk to the South
- Umphang
- Udon Thani
- Wang Nam Khiao
Quick Facts
Name: Kingdom of Thailand
Population: 67 million
Capital: Bangkok
Language: Thai
Currency: Baht (THB)
Time zone: ICT (UTC +7)
Country Information
From trekking in the beautiful mountains of the north to enjoying the glorious beaches in the south and experiencing the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Bangkok, Thailand is certainly not a country that lacks variety.
Whilst it really is at the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, its cultural identity remains very unique. As the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid European powers, the Thai are proud to refer to themselves as ‘The Land of the Free’ and many tourists might also know it as ‘The Land of Smiles’ due to its friendly people.
Climate
The majority of the country is home to a tropical savanna climate which consists of wet and dry seasons of a roughly equal length. The climate can be divided into three distinct seasons:
- Dry season: November – end of February. During this period, precipitation is at its lowest but so are the temperatures. This said, ‘low temperatures’ are of course relative and the difference is not in fact very different at all in the South. It is only if you will be visiting the northern mountains that you might need to bring some warmer clothes as temperatures can fall as low as 5°C. This period is, not surprisingly, the most popular time to visit Thailand and tourism peaks around Christmas and New Year as well as Chinese New year. Flights and accommodation at this time can be more expensive.
- Hot: March to June. During this time Thailand reaches its hottest temperatures (as high as 50°C).
- Rainy: July – October. This is when the tropical monsoons begin to arrive, peaking in September. Although this is indeed rainy season, it doesn’t mean that it rains non-stop. Storms can clear up very quickly, but when it does rain, heavy flooding is not rare.
Culture
A significant feature of Thai culture is its primary religion: Buddhism. Theravada Buddhism is supported by the government and practiced by an estimated 95% of its population. Thailand not only boasts tens of thousands of beautiful temples, but you will notice that a lot of Thai people have miniature Spirit Houses on their front yards because they believe that the household spirits live in them and they make offerings to them to keep the spirits happy.
Another feature of Thai culture is the wai greeting, which is essentially a slight bow with palms pressed together in a prayer-like manner to show respect. This can be compared to the Indian namasté. Things to know about this:
- The higher the hands in relation to the face and the deeper the bow, the more respect is shown.
- It is made before formally entering/leaving a house
- It can also be made as a sign of gratitude or apology
- You do not make the greeting to those who are younger than you unless you are returning the wai.
- The gesture is normally accompanied with the phrase “sawadee (krap/ka)” (“krap” if you are male and “ka” if you are female)
- A corporate wai (made by cashiers etc) can be returned with a smile or a nod
The major festival in Thailand is Thai New Year, known as Songkran. It is celebrated on the 13th-14th April of every year. It is a festival that concludes the dry season and involves a lot of water throwing!
Gastronomy
Thai cuisine is very nutritious and alongside its plentiful use of rice, it generally contains fresh vegetables and white meats like chicken and fish. Thai people love spicy food but do not fear if you do not, just say ‘mai pet’ when you order. However, the flavors are not only about the spice, as many people believe. Thai food can be slightly salty, sour and/or sweet, so there really is something to suit everyone’s palate.
Transportation
Transport in Thailand is very varied and there isn’t one ‘main way’ to travel. Buses dominate long distance journeys. Travel in thailand is cheap and even domestic flights are a worthwhile consideration for long distance journeys, especially with the expansion of low-cost airlines.
Taxis, tuk-tuks and vans are also common modes of transport, but tourists must be wary about being overcharged. If in doubt, always ask that the taximeter be switched on to avoid overcharging.
