Youth classes are generally 3-5 days, duration 5 hours. The curriculum is similar to adult classes however there is a greater focus on schooling and education, cultural adaptation, health (such as brushing your teeth), employment dreams, sex education, culture shock and transit procedures. More games, fun activities and breaks are required for the youth to retain their interest and concentration levels. Video resources and homework life books are also used. This class was reasonably small as camp activities are slowing down with the lead up to the Christmas and New Year break. While I may be inadvertently affected by the events and protests in Bangkok because of possible delays in flight schedules that could lead up to a holiday I have planned at New Years to Krabi, the situation has had an adverse impact to many ... read more

Jac and I were lucky to have our local tour guide Daryl take us around again for the day to see what else Mae Sot has to offer. We were accompanied by his wife and son and it felt like a real family outing. We saw 3 waterfalls and each one was great in its own way. The first one, Tara Rak was not far from town and you could see the waterfall from the road. Jac and I think this may be our spot to celebrate Christmas with a bottle of Baileys, who needs turkey, ham or seafood! You can also go to the top of this waterfall by motorbike. Pha Chareon waterfall was the second sight we visited, which is also referred to as"97-step Rom Klao" and named after the nearby village. There are ... read more

Jac and I were fortunate enough to have a Manager at my work, Daryl take us around the sights of Mae Sot for the day. It not only helps having someone who knows the area but an added bonus when they are fluent in Thai. Quite ironic really, everyone speaks to me in Thai because I look the part however it is Daryl the American they should be talking to, who has lived in Thailand long enough to be considered a local. And yes we have lots of fun with how we pronounce our English words, the Aussie accent versus the American; we are both learning quite a few different slang words. Who said English was easy even for the native speaker? I still think I prefer rubbish over trash and petrol instead of gas so ... read more

Mae La is located in Tha Song Yan District, about 8 km from the border and approximately 57 km away from Mae Sot, an hour by car. It is also known as ‘Beh klaw’ in Karen, which means ‘cotton field’. It is hard to believe that nestled in this foothill of mountainous landscape and cliff escarpment is a refugee camp. Mae La has a village like atmosphere with picturesque views. It is a bustle of activity with schools, a market, stalls and many tea/coffee shops. However, while it appears like a town, these people do not have the luxury of freedom we take for granted. They are confined to this village waiting in hope to return home. There are approximately 150,000 refugees living in the 9 camps along the Thai-Burma border with Mae La being the ... read more

I have spent the first couple of weeks at my new workplace learning about the different resettlement policies and processes, how each host country accepts and prepares refugees for resettlement and what teaching and educational material are used for their cultural orientation. My activities have included visiting the: •Processing Centre - this is where refugees stay during their resettlement interviews, medical examination and before they are about to depart for their new host country. The PC holds information sessions to prepare refugees for their resettlement interviews, medical examinations and pre-departure procedures. It has a library, childcare centre and English classes. •Hospital and medical unit - this is where refugees have their medical examination and TB screening as required for their visas. For my own personal experience it has been enlightening to see families wh... read more