As former volunteers, we strongly believe in the value of donating your time and knowledge to the democracy and development movement in Burma. Therefore, we will act as a link connecting Oxford students to reputable long- and short-term volunteer opportunities in the Thai-Burma border area. We will also be a source of information and assistance to students preparing to embark on their volunteer experiences.
The OBA has also partnered with various organisations to link Oxford students with interesting and unique internship opportunities along the Thai-Burma border. See below for details.
Internship Opportunities
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners - Internship in Mae Sot, ThailandOn the 23th of March 2000, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) was founded by former political prisoners. AAPP is an independent, non-profit organization that works for the release of all political prisoners incarcerated throughout Burma. AAPP believes that a democratic Burma is a Burma without political prisoners.
Even though Burma is currently undergoing a period of democratic transition, the process is slow and reversible. People are still being harassed for their beliefs. Despite recent prisoner amnesties, numbers of political prisoners remain high. Those imprisoned include monks, students, women and lawyers. People are being detained for involvement in democracy activities and peaceful demonstrations. To distribute just one pamphlet, could mean sentences of up to seven years with hard labor and a fair trial is nonexistent. AAPP takes interns periodically throughout the year. They are currently seeking an intern to aid in producing the AAPP’s monthly chronology and their political prisoner profiles. Previous interns have also undertaken a few hours basic English teaching. For more information visit their website or email at [email protected]. |
Burma Lawyers' Council (BLC) - Internship in Mae Sot, ThailandThe Burma Lawyers' Council is very enthusiastic about having Oxford students intern at their organisation in Mae Sot, Thailand. BLC prefers interns with a legal background, but welcomes applicants without legal degrees as well. Students familiar with issues such as genocide, land confiscation, environmental projects, etc. would make excellent applicants. Ideally, interns will be able to commit to a minimum of two months, but this may be flexible.
BLC's Mission Statement: "By vigorously opposing all unjust and oppressive laws, and by helping restore the principle of the Rule of Law, the Burma Lawyers' Council aims to contribute to the transformation of Burma where all the citizens enjoy the equal protection of law under the democratic federal constitution which will guarantee fundamentals of human rights." More information about how to apply coming soon! |
Volunteer Opportunities
Mote Oo
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Phaung Daw Oo Monastery Monastic Education High School (Mandalay, Burma)
Phaung Daw Oo Monastic Education High School was founded in 1993 by Venerable U Nayaka and his brother, Venerable U Zawtika. It started as a primary school with ten local volunteer teachers and over 300 students. The school was established with the purpose of providing free education to poor children. PDO is predominantly for poor students who, for various reasons, are unable to attend government schools. Currently, the school is successfully running from Kindergarten to High School levels with over 6000 students and 280 teachers. [. . .]
Kaw Dai
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We Women Foundation
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Karenni Social Welfare and Development Center (Mae Hong Son, Thailand)
KSWDC was founded in 1996 in response to continuing conflicts affecting the lives of the Karenni people and their exploitation at the hands of the Burma military government. Their goal is the democratic empowerment of all Karenni people through education and community development. Departments include Mine Risk Education, Emergency Relief Assistance, Community Development and Information Collection. The organization is centered in Ban Nai Soi about 50 minutes from Mae Hong Son.
Thoo Mweh Khee School and Senior College (Mae Sot, Thailand)
TMK is a migrant school running from Nursery to Grade 10 and senior college from Grades 11 to 12 – the whole school contains nearly 800 students. It is situated near the town of Phopra 50 km (30 miles) south of Mae Sot. Most of TMK’s students are Karen refugees from Burma who live in dormitories on site. The language medium of TMK school is mostly Karen but English, Thai and Burmese are also taught. The language medium of TMK Senior College (TMKSC) is English with the goal of students having options to proceed to higher education and/or gain employment along the border.
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Burma Volunteer ProgramUPDATE: BVP is phasing out and not accepting any more volunteers. The organisation has decided to concentrate its efforts on equipping its local partners with the necessary skills, knowledge and support to be able to recruit their own volunteers.
For now the best advice for people looking to volunteer in this region would be to network on Facebook groups such as 'What's Happening in Mae Sot' and 'What's Happening in Chiang Mai'.“ See below to read about OBA members' experiences volunteering with BVP or click here for more information about BVP. |
Karen Education Department (3 month min.)A non-profit organisation, KED provides education in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border, as well as conflict areas inside Karen State (Burma). KED is seeking skilled volunteers for 3 - 24 month periods.
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OBA Members' Volunteer Experiences
Nora GodkinOBA Co-President (2011-13) and FounderVolunteered in Chiang Mai, Thailand with Burma Volunteer Program (September 2010 - February 2011) Read More |
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Ebba LekvallOBA Co-President (2011-13) and FounderVolunteered in Mae Sot, Thailand with Burma Volunteer Program (August 2010 - December 2010) Read More |
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