Project #17.2: Support for the Kamala Beach Orphans in Phuket, Thailand

Kamala Beach Orphanage cares for 180 orphans 50 more than just 20 months ago when we last visited.

What they need:

  • Basic essentials like shoes, socks, soap, shampoo, underwear and hand sanitizer
  • Crafts for after school programs run by the PHBGTU Foundation that help teach children vocational and English skills that will hopefully land them good jobs in the tourism trade
  • Visas and work permits for the volunteers who not only donate time but use most of their own money for all expenses (Thai government provides housing).

Fund as much as you wish.

Past donors include:  Mike Ditzler, Adrienne Love, Paul & Christine McCullough, Mary Lou Patten

Your total amount is : 0.00 (Currency: USD)

Background:

What is the Coconut Club?

Coconut Club offers a programme of on-going leisure and education development activities that provide after-school, weekend and inter-session experiences to the 130 residential students of the Rachaprachnukroh School in Kamala and to the Primary 5 and 6 classes at Baan Kalim School in Kalim.  The aim of the organisation is to help Thai youth become capable and confident English speakers so they can secure well paid employment in Phuket’s tourism industry.

How does the Coconut Club help the children?

The residential students are orphans or children whose families are not able to look after them. They rarely, before Coconut Club, had the opportunity to leave the school grounds or engage in any activity outside the routine of their school lives. The Coconut Club enhances not only their English language skills, but also stimulates their imagination, experimentation and independent thinking abilities. It provides a safe and comfortable developmental environment, which raises their self-esteem and confidence, allowing them to use and apply what they are learning in their English class to their everyday life. Additionally, since we involve many volunteers who visit Phuket, it is an opportunity to interact with a diverse range of individuals from many different parts of the world, exposing the children to different accents and ways of speaking English. Beyond this, the activities involved often connect the children to their community and raise their awareness of issues specific to Phuket Island.

Coconut Club meets five times a week, Monday to Friday from 3.30pm – 4.30pm, and on weekends. During the week the teachers at Kamala, with the help of a volunteer staff, plan arts and crafts, sports, and team building games. Teachers tailor the activities to the interests of the children. At weekends we run sports programs including swimming and arts and crafts workshops.