Gap for Good: Ricefields Service Base
Program Dates: Open Enrollment from September 2nd, 2010 through May 26th, 2011
Country Where Program is Located: Thailand
Program Location: Ricefields International Service Base, about ten miles west of the city of UdonThani

Description of Program:
Rustic Pathways has been facilitating volunteer work in this vibrant Isaan community for a decade. Situated about 40 minutes south of Laos by car, this is a very modest region of Thailand where people nonetheless have a lot of heart and welcome visitors as friends. Several area elementary and high schools are often in need of extra help in English class. Tutoring, sports events, temple maintenance, and distribution of health information are also needed services. Many other projects await self-motivated visitors who would like to lend a hand and become part of the community. You’ll enjoy the full use of the Ricefields International Service Base which is run by the Sanboon family. KadumSanboon, the Ricefields Base manager has deep ties to the area and will introduce you to many of the wonderful people who live in the village. While here, you’ll also enjoy the comfortable accommodations, which include a pool, gym, air conditioned rooms, an internet café, and ping pong (be ready for serious competition).

Description of Location:
The Ricefields Base is located in Baan Chiang Yeun, a village of around 1500 residents in UdonThani province. The capital city, also known as UdonThani, is about 12 Km to the east. It’s population is around 160,000.Isaan is the local Thai dialect spoken. The area is primarily agricultural flatland with rice and sugar cane being the prevalent crops. There are three seasons – hot season from March through June, rainy season from June through October, and cool season from October through February – cool being a relative term as it is still very hot by most standards, but can be cooler at night. Cool season is actually the best weather of the year.

Suggested Service Projects Available on this Program:

Project 1: Resident Ricefields Base English Tutor
Description of Service: One-on-one and small group tutoring of local adults and students in English.
Location of Project: Tutoring can happen anywhere from the Base to the temple grounds, peoples’ homes, or in the nearby city of UdonThani.
Transport to Project Location from Program Location: Walking or Song Taew (public transportation).
Dates: Open Enrollment from September 2nd, 2010 through May 26th, 2011
Hours per Week:1-4 hours per day, generally in the afternoons and evenings.
Note: All books, dictionaries, and teaching materials are locally available for purchase.

Project 2: English Teacher’s Assistant
Description of Service: Aid public school teachers during English class in area schools.
Location of Project: Local public schools in the Ricefields Base area.
Dates: Open Enrollment from September 2nd, 2010 through May 26th, 2011
Hours per Week: 10 hours/week, 2 hours per day, 2-4 pm, Monday through Friday.
Transport to project location from program location: Local public transportation, bicycle, or walking.
Note: Locally available teaching materials may need to be purchased.

Project 3: Temple Maintenance in Baan Chiang Yeun
Description of Service: The community, through their own volunteer work and donations, cares for the temple. In this modest village, your help will be important and much appreciated, and will advance your Karma, bringing you closer to breaking the cycle of earthly suffering and attaining enlightenment. Provide general upkeep and improvements to temple grounds and facilities. Service will include painting, minor repairs, trash pickup, landscaping, and cleaning. This project will allow you to spend time with the resident monks and learn about Buddhism from them. The center of any typical Thai community is the local Buddhist temple.
Location of Project: There are two temples in the village. One is about 100 meters from the Ricefields Base and the other is about a quarter mile away.
Hours per Week: 1 – 40 hours per week,approximately1 – 8 hours per day.
Transport to Project Location from Program Location: Bicycle or walking.
Note: Students will need to supply all materials and arrange their purchase and delivery with help from Rustic Pathways staff.

Project 4: Kindergarten Volunteer Assistant
Description of Service: Help out at the local kindergarten, a locally funded facility run by two Thai volunteers. There will be art projects, games, dancing (little kid style), and other activities with kids aged 3-6.
Location of Project: The local kindergarten is located on the temple grounds within easy walking distance of the Base.
Dates: Open Enrollment from September 2nd, 2010 through May 26th, 2011.
Hours per Week: Up to 20, 4 hours per day, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Transport to Project Location from Program Location: Walking
Note: Volunteers will likely be asked to donate supplies occasionally.

Staff :Our local staff from the UdonThani area and other parts of Thailand will be your primary contacts. In addition, foreign staff from America, Australia, and elsewhere will come and go periodically.

Program Start Location: This program begins in UdonThani, a one-hour flight from Bangkok. Our staff will meet students at the airport and take them to the Ricefields Base for orientation and introductions.

Transportation (how to get there, how to leave):We will provide transport to and from the airport. Any additional transport can be accomplished using local public passenger trucks and busses.

Accommodations: Rooms are spacious and comfortable even by western standards. They have air conditioning, hot showers, and comfortable beds. There is a swimming pool, sports fields, gym, and Internet café.

Food available: A simple breakfast and lunch will be prepared daily by our Base staff. Students can purchase dinner in the village, at the local market, or in UdonThani for 35 – 350 Baht ($1-$10)

Medical Facilities Available: There are numerous high-quality hospitals within 20 minutes drive from the Base. World-class hospitals with every kind of specialist are available an hour away by plane in Bangkok.

Cell phone reception: Excellent. Students should plan on purchasing a basic cell phone for about 30 dollars and spending $5-$10 per week on phone charges. International cell phones work here, but incur much higher charges than locally purchased phones, even for international calls.

Internet: We offer our studentsthe use of our internet café for a charge.

Laundry: Laundry can be done at the Base by our staff for a charge.

Local Contact/managing local staff: Mr. KadumSanboon

Program leader/Managing Director: Tim Porter DeVriese tim@rusticpathways.com

Optional Activities: Take a swim in the pool, join in daily soccer and taklor(don’t worry you’ll learn quickly) matches happen in the late afternoon. The gym is open for you to use. There are beautiful places to walk or jog around the rice fields. Thai massages can be arranged for about $10. There is a movie theater in town. Day trips to Laos are easy to arrange. Many area temples can be visited, some of them very famous and renowned by the Thai people. Several of our staff have advanced experience as Buddhist monks and can teach you the basics of Buddhist meditation.

Packing List: http: //www.rusticpathways.com/2009/thailand/tch.html

Medical Requirements: All students must consult their doctor for suggested precautions to take when traveling.