June 2012
Angela Khoshnoud
Position
Overall Rating:
I had an amazing experience with DEPDC/GMS in Mae Sai, Thailand. I was allowed a lot of freedom in my lesson planning and daily life within a semi-structured schedule, and I loved being able to shape my experience to learn and grow as a person.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
Spending time five days a week in direct contact with the main target groups DEPDC aims to protect and serve was an incredible feeling. I know for a fact that my time at DEPDC was valued by my students, and I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.
Organization and communication:
DEPDC/GMS is a Thai-run organization, which can be difficult for a Westerner to adapt to at first. In the end, though, I found that adapting to a work-style completely different to what I was used to was a very valuable experience for me. Many great changes came to DEPDC during my tenure, including restructuring and the hiring of multiple new staff members fluent in both English and Thai, which greatly improved communication within the International Department (where international volunteers will be placed) and the rest of the organization.
Accommodation:
I loved living in Mae Sai. Although the organization does not offer accommodations, staff or other volunteers will assist you in finding a house or apartment for rent, and prices are incredible inexpensive! I loved the house I rented and my landlady, and my cost of living in Mae Sai for six months was less than I would spend in one month living at home.
Safety:
I always felt safe in Mae Sai. While gang violence is somewhat prevalent, the use of guns is very restricted and I felt much safer in Thailand than I do in America. While at the centre, there is a security guard working 24/7 and the Thai and Burmese staff will look out for you. Outside of the centre you are on your own, but Mae Sai is very safe for foreigners, generally speaking. I always felt safe walking around and never had a problem at night. Motorbike safety is VERY important, however, and it is essential for all volunteers to set an example by wearing your helmet 100% of the time.
Prior to arriving at DEPDC, I knew a fair amount about human trafficking, less about statelessness, and absolutely nothing about the amazing relationships that I would make in Mae Sai. While my days at the centre primarily consisted of teaching the Half Day School (HDS) and Community Learning Center (CLC), my evenings were spent with some of my students or fellow volunteers shopping at local markets, eating street food, and visiting some of my students’ families at their homes. At DEPDC, I was welcomed like family rather than treated like a foreigner, and I learned so much more from being with my students and fellow staff members than I could ever teach in a classroom.
My time at DEPDC was an invaluable experience for me. I had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the issue of human trafficking in border regions and exactly how the system of trafficking and human slavery survives. I was fortunate enough to interact with our target group daily, working directly with the children and adults DEPDC serves to protect. I know that the work I did had a direct impact on many of my students, and I am so grateful to have had this experience with DEPDC/GMS and to still be in contact with many of my Thai and Burmese friends!
In a culture where showing anger is considered a weakness, patience is a way of life, and smiling is contagious, I was taught countless invaluable lessons. Living in Thailand taught me to trust myself, to follow my heart and not let anything hold me back from what I want, to not stress over things out of my control, and above all else, to enjoy every moment to the fullest. My students taught me to appreciate everything you have, to give whenever possible, and the importance of valuing the people in your life.
July 2012
Ali Denis
Position
Overall Rating:
I could have never asked for a better experience. Overall, coming to Thailand was the best decision for me, and coming to work for DEPDC only reassured that. DEPDC gave me the opportunity to take on many different roles as a volunteer and part of staff. And this experience has also opened my eyes and expanded my interests in ways I could not have imagined.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I am not sure how to answer this question. I hope that I was able to assist DEPDC with all its needs, and I hope that along the way I was able to make a difference to some of the staff, students, community.
Organization and communication:
As a Thai NGO, DEPDC runs on a different pace from other American organizations that I have worked for, but it is easy to get adjusted to because the pace if anything is slower. And, I think that I find it refreshing more than anything. Communication is always a little tricky when there is a new language involved, which for me there was. However, I found that this experience has only made my verbal and non-verbal communication skills better.
Accommodation:
DEPDC does not provide accomodation; however, Mae Sai is a relatively cheap city to live in. I lived in a nice Studio apartment with air-conditioning for about $150 a month. You can however, find apartments even cheaper if you are living on a budget.
Safety:
As in any other city in the world, you need to be cautious of your surroundings and practice basic safety. Yet, I never had a single safety issue or concern while living in Mae Sai and working at DEPDC. If anything I felt more comfortable in Thailand, than I have in some American cities.
These past 6 months have flown by. It seems like only yesterday that I arrived in Mae Sai with one suitcase and no expectations, unsure of what Mae Sai and DEPDC had in store for me. I am now leaving DEPDC with 2 suitcases and 6 months of experiences, friendships, and wonderful memories. DEPDC has provided me with an opportunity to puruse my passion in the NGO sector and to work for an amazing organization. These past 6 months have forced me to grow as a person, to change the way I think about the world and global issues, and to appreciate every experience, opportunity, and even challenge that I am faced with. I have had the opportunity to work with an amazing Thai staff, all who have dedicated their lives to the prevention of human trafficking, and with other international volunteers, who have helped provide me with new perspectives.
My main role at DEPDC ended up being teaching, something that terrified me at first. I taught English at DEPDC's Half Day School in the mornings, to staff in the afternoons, and to the Community Learning Centre in the evenings. I heard stories of hardships, struggles, and discrimination. Yet, everyday I was greeted with smiling faces and friendly voices. I think that it safe to say that my students have impacted me in a way that I never expected; they inspired me on a daily basis and taught me confidence, acceptance, and appreciation for life. I can only hope, that somehow, I have impacted them in the same way.
July 2012
Jamie Houston
Position
Overall Rating:
It was an unforgettable experience. I joined the organisation with the intention of doing whatever I could to help, and left having done so much more than I ever expected. A true eye opening and life changing experience. I joined with the intention of volunteering for 6 months, and ended up staying 2 and a half years!
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
DEPDC/GMS opens it's doors wide to those who are willing to commit themselves in making a difference. There was nothing but opportunity to make a difference, and I truly believe I did so.
Organization and communication:
It is important to bare in mind that this is a non profit NGO based in Thailand. English is not the first language spoken here so communication can be a little difficult at times. Organisation can be strained at times as there is a lot of work to do with a lot of support needed, it is by no means out of control though.
Accommodation:
DEPDC/GMS staff assist you in finding accomodation to suit your budget. It is quite remarkable the quality of accommodation you can find for a very reasonable price.
Safety:
There is no danger to the volunteer/staff working at DEPDC/GMS. The only reason I didn't put 5 stars is due to the driving conditions in the area. Driving can be a little dangerous if you are not cautious (same as anywhere really). However, drive slowly and carefully and you will be fine.
August 2012
Katherine Walsh
Position
Overall Rating:
My experience with DEPDC/GMS was an amazing one which i will never forget. The variety of the work and the people i worked with made my experience unforgettable.
Did you feel like you made a difference?:
I was very happy with my contribution to DEPDC/GMS and the staff and people i worked with made me feel very appreciated. However,i also believe that i learned much more than i could ever give back.
Organization and communication:
DEPDC/GMS is not a very large NGO so i got to meet almost all the staff and was involved in various activities and projects. As most of the staff have very little English sometimes communicating was difficult but there was always someone around who could help if i needed something so it was never a big problem.
Accommodation:
DEPDC/GMS do not provide accomodation but they were extremely helpful in helping me to find a very comfortable place to stay. The day i arrived in Mae Sai the volunteer coordinator showed me a great apartment that i could move into straight away.
Safety:
During my time working with DEPDC/GMS i never felt unsafe in any way.
All international volunteers work in the International Department with the volunteer coordinator. There is a variety of work to be done in this department. The primary task of the volunteers is teaching. I teach the Half Day School children in the mornings and three days per week I teach staff English for one hour and community English for one and a half hours.
DEPDC/GMS also has its own radio station, and every morning at 9am someone from the international department hosts the Fun English Show for one hour.
Volunteers are also responsible for updating the blog, which is usually updated once per week, and for editing the quarterly newsletter
Volunteers also handle tasks assigned to them by the volunteer coordinator. These include updating the donor spreadsheet on Microsoft excel, sending thank you letters to donors, sending information to potential volunteers, making presentations to visitors informing them of the work that DEPDC/GMS does, researching sources of funding and helping out with current projects.
Each day follows a pattern of teaching and office work, but tasks are extremely varied which makes each day interesting and provides valuable experience.
This was my first time working away from home and my first time working full time for an NGO. The opportunity and experience were invaluable. On a personal level I learned a great deal about myself and what I am capable of. The children I taught and the people I met also taught me a lot about other cultures and ways of life.
On a professional level, due to the variety of work, I had the opportunity to put a great deal of what I learned from my university education into practice and I learned skills that my degree did not cover.
Overall I feel that, on both a personal and professional level, I learned a great deal more than I could ever give back, but everyone at DEPDC/GMS made me feel appreciated and was thankful for the contribution I made. I left with a greater knowledge and understanding of how an NGO, such as DEPDC/GMS, operates and I can put this knowledge into practice in my future career.
