Volunteer Projects in Thailand

Baan Kru Mookda

Baan Kru Mookda, or “Teacher Mookda’s House”, is also known as The Home for Quality of Life Development Project. It was established by Mrs. Mookda and her husband Sungwon in 1989 in order to provide accommodation, education, and a better quality of life for local children from nearby mountain tribes whose families were poor, abusive, or otherwise unable to support them through school.

Initially, the objective of the project was to educate and provide opportunities specifically to young women in the area who were potential targets of the notorious sex trade. The focus has eventually been expanded to provide the same opportunities and education to boys as well.
Mrs. Mookda’s contributions to her community are very well known and in 1999 her efforts were rewarded with the UNDP Race Against Poverty Award. She has devoted her life to doing research in sociology and community development, as well as teaching throughout Thailand, and she is widely regarded by Thai people as a woman of generosity, kindness, and great importance to society.

The aim of Mrs. Mookda is to teach these children the skills they need to live independently and responsibly. They do their own chores; including planting, growing, and picking vegetables, cooking their own food, cleaning, and washing their own clothes. The children also have their own council meetings, where they set up their own rules and discuss any new issues or problems.
Baan Kru Mookda is located in the mountainous Dok Kham Tai district of Phayao province in northern Thailand, which is situated between the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Here, volunteers will teach basic English to local students while also being a positive role model, cultural ambassador, and friend to the children living at Baan Kru Mookda. Additional volunteer duties may include helping with day-to-day chores and other light construction or painting tasks when needed.

Moo Baan Dek

Translated as the “Children’s Village”, Moo Baan Dek was founded in 1979 as an alternative education community for Thai children who have been orphaned or come from very poor families, some of which are also abusive. They are provided with free education, meals, and accommodation; the expenses are covered solely by donations from within Thailand and abroad. Registered with the Thai Ministry of Education, the school at Moo Baan Dek offers education from grade K – 6th for the children living there. The atmosphere and educational curriculum are designed with consideration of the distinctive backgrounds of the children.

The philosophy at Moo Baan Dek (just like that of Baan Kru Mookda) is very different than that of a state orphanage. It is believed that children are all born with a good nature within themselves, although it may have been affected or corrupted by a problematic upbringing. Their natural development and freedom are taken into consideration, and they are allowed to learn at their own pace. This loving, forgiving, and encouraging environment is oriented towards a therapeutic means of helping the children discover themselves and their own potential.
The children at Moo Baan Dek are taught to be responsible and do their own chores, including cleaning and laundry. As farming plays an important role in the village, everyone (children and adults) works together each day to maintain their huge organic garden. While it helps them learn about agriculture, much effort is also put towards teaching the children to respect and appreciate Mother Nature as a means of survival. The children are exposed to a democratic system of making decisions and enforcement of rules that involves the whole community and allows them to govern themselves.

The village is located in a natural setting, outside of the main town in Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand. It is situated on 60 acres of land in a lush forest on the banks of the famous River Kwae. Volunteers at Moo Baan Dek spend a majority of their time teaching basic English to the children (and occasionally the staff) living there. Additional volunteer duties may include helping with day-to-day chores and other light construction or painting tasks when needed.
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