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On the 23rd of November I will be setting off for Bangkok, and then traveling 6 hrs to the Thai-Burma border, where I will be volunteering in the Baan Unrak Village. Baan Unrak means “House of Joy”, and was established in 1991 to assist children and mothers in need. The surrounding area suffers instability as most people living there are ethnic minorities fleeing persecution in Myanmar (Burma) and have limited legal rights or recognition in Thailand, do not speak Thai and cannot find employment. Additionally, many families are divided, with some members remaining in Burma, and others fleeing to Thailand.

The Baan Unrak Village has four major projects:
1. Children’s Home, which provides a safe and loving home for over 140 children who were destitute, either orphans or rescued from their mothers who were attempting to sell or give them away due to their own destitute situation.
2. Baan Unrak Primary School, which teaches over 260 students.
3. Women’s Project. Teaching and supporting enterprises such as weaving, sewing, a bakery, a shop and an internet café, providing the women with employment and an income.
4. Outreach programs to assist those with dire medical conditions.

As a volunteer, I will be working on three projects;
1. infrastructure improvement: Specifically, I will be working to build mud-brick houses, repair existing bamboo & grass roof buildings, build their new library, and assist in their agricultural project (they grow their own food).
2. Supervising children’s activities: I will help supervise after school and weekend activities with the children from the children’s home, and create activities to teach them English.
3. Assist in administrative operations of Baan Unrak. The founders and most long term staff of the village are from Italy (!!) and so not only is Thai their second language, but English is as well. Thus, I will be supporting them to write articles, sponsor updates and proofread official documents such as grant proposals and legal documents which must be written in English.

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