Working/Volunteering in Mae Sot?

[phuketbound]

Hello,

I was curious if anyone has or knew of someone who has worked in the Mae Sot area, teaching or working with the Burmese refugees?

I know of many NGO's in that area, but would be interested to hear from anyone who has been there, and what their experience has been.

Thanks

[Hollow]

PB... knew a couple of guys that worked with Burmese fugees and said that it was the worst of both worlds... Not much to add except... Why the interest?

[phuketbound]

^Thanks for cleaning up the thread.

I am going to work there or Chiang Mai with an NGO. I can't say exactly which one. I wondered if anyone has ever worked or volunteered there before. I know some things about it, as my friend did a three month stint working with woman's groups and refugees in the area.

[reinvented]

theres a very nice catholic school there on the way to the bridge
cant remember the name but a nice set up
paid about 30k i think

[phuketbound]

^Cheers, reinvented. I already have the organization that I'm working for, but I bet there are lots of schools in that area. Were you going to work at one?

[reinvented]

i was about 8 years ago, but had a change of career

[burningman21]

Hey,

Was wondering if anyone actually did the Burma Volunteer Project in the last few years and wouldn't mind me picking their brain!?

Cheers

[phuketbound]

Hey,

Was wondering if anyone actually did the Burma Volunteer Project in the last few years and wouldn't mind me picking their brain!?

Cheers

hey, not sure if you are still around, but I was going to do it, but decided to go next summer instead. I know people that have done the program, so if you want to ask any questions, I can forward his email to you or answer them myself.

[voltar]

I'm in Mae Sot now and was curious if anyone on here knows where to look for work? I would also be interested in doing volunteer work while I'm here. I see this is old info but hopefully some new info can be added.

[squarethecircle]

I'm in Mae Sot now and was curious if anyone on here knows where to look for work? I would also be interested in doing volunteer work while I'm here. I see this is old info but hopefully some new info can be added.

Paid work, I don't know. Maybe just dress up, prepare a CV, and show up at schools? If there are schools in the area that are hiring foreign staff, you'll probably get leads on those by showing up or talking to people around town. As for volunteer work - just head around town and talk with people. That's worked for me in other areas - the Burmese I've met seem to be very hard-working on their own, good at learning second languages on their own (I predict there will never be a significant need for western TEFL teachers in Myanmar as in China/Korea/Thai), but seem interested in picking up some western ways (and western ways of talking), as they see this as a way to further their opportunities. I've done this in other border areas (as well as in parts of N and NE Thai) and people will just come up and start talking - especially if you're well-dressed and look like a decent/respectable person.

On a side note/rant, the western NGO's I've come across in this part of the world have seemed, for the most part, creepy - people who imagine themselves coming over here to the "third world" as an act of "altruism", helping "refugees", getting their pictures taken with children and animals, etc, but who are actually very self-serving and condescending. So, I'm skeptical of western NGO's, and the UN "refugee" office, for that matter. The locals I've met working for NGO's, on the other hand (such as a doctor and child care-taker), haven't given me that impression, probably since they're working with their own peoples.

But I suppose that doesn't apply to you...I'd recommend simply talking with people in town there. I may head there later this month (for a stamp over the border) and would be interested in hearing what's going on there. Have you been over the border? What's it like on the other side (Myawaddy)? Mae Sai and Tachileik are quite nice as well, a lot of friendly people.

[goo_stewart]

On a side note/rant, the western NGO's I've come across in this part of the world have seemed, for the most part, creepy - people who imagine themselves coming over here to the "third world" as an act of "altruism", helping "refugees", getting their pictures taken with children and animals, etc, but who are actually very self-serving and condescending. So, I'm skeptical of western NGO's, and the UN "refugee" office, for that matter. The locals I've met working for NGO's, on the other hand (such as a doctor and child care-taker), haven't given me that impression, probably since they're working with their own peoples.

That is EXACTLY my complaint about this whole NGO thing, it would seem to be a gravy train for a few folks who like to see themselves in the hero role, but basically run around like fuckwits, causing more problems than doing good.

Don't even get me started on those who pay to 'volunteer' for dodgy organisations, just so they have something to put on their cvs or stories to tell in the pub to impress friends. The organisations they work for are worse though...

[squarethecircle]

That is EXACTLY my complaint about this whole NGO thing, it would seem to be a gravy train for a few folks who like to see themselves in the hero role, but basically run around like fuckwits, causing more problems than doing good.

Don't even get me started on those who pay to 'volunteer' for dodgy organisations, just so they have something to put on their cvs or stories to tell in the pub to impress friends. The organisations they work for are worse though...

I hear they're much worse in Cambodia.

[hazza11]

Paid work, I don't know. Maybe just dress up, prepare a CV, and show up at schools? If there are schools in the area that are hiring foreign staff, you'll probably get leads on those by showing up or talking to people around town. As for volunteer work - just head around town and talk with people. That's worked for me in other areas - the Burmese I've met seem to be very hard-working on their own, good at learning second languages on their own (I predict there will never be a significant need for western TEFL teachers in Myanmar as in China/Korea/Thai), but seem interested in picking up some western ways (and western ways of talking), as they see this as a way to further their opportunities. I've done this in other border areas (as well as in parts of N and NE Thai) and people will just come up and start talking - especially if you're well-dressed and look like a decent/respectable person.

On a side note/rant, the western NGO's I've come across in this part of the world have seemed, for the most part, creepy - people who imagine themselves coming over here to the "third world" as an act of "altruism", helping "refugees", getting their pictures taken with children and animals, etc, but who are actually very self-serving and condescending. So, I'm skeptical of western NGO's, and the UN "refugee" office, for that matter. The locals I've met working for NGO's, on the other hand (such as a doctor and child care-taker), haven't given me that impression, probably since they're working with their own peoples.


But I suppose that doesn't apply to you...I'd recommend simply talking with people in town there. I may head there later this month (for a stamp over the border) and would be interested in hearing what's going on there. Have you been over the border? What's it like on the other side (Myawaddy)? Mae Sai and Tachileik are quite nice as well, a lot of friendly people.

Have you ventured on this trip? How did it go?
Mae Sot a place I have always wanted to go to, but have not done so yet.
Also, any information on what happens visa wise at the border there would be good
Different duration of visa's you can get at the crossing etc?