The Situation
In Thailand the opportunity to a secondary education for every child is not possible. In the smaller villages, agricultural regions or lower income homes, most youths have no or little access to fuller learning possibilities. Parents simply do not possess the financial means to send their kids to school and/or the school is not properly equipped with the necessary tools to teach efficiently.
Wanna-B Foundation wants to see to it that children have a greater chance by providing them with the tools and resources needed. Thus, opening better doors of opportunities and in-turn granting them a broader future of options.
Objective
The Wanna-B initiative is founded by Wanna Onsod, a native Thai woman whose parent’s passing at an early age, caught her up in a life full of instability and human trafficking in The Netherlands. Nevertheless, she fought for her freedom, persevered and has to-date constructed a life for herself in Holland. She has now built a family and a rich network of her own. For instance, with Hogeschool of Amsterdam (HvA) and various other organizations carrying inter-cultural focuses!
Since the deceasing of her parents at age eleven, she has always had the dream of beginning her own youth group home being that the living situation for poverty-stricken youths in Thailand is a challenging one. Particularly, orphans have it even harder due to their being viewed as one more mouth too much to feed! In this day and age, there are enough orphanages in Thailand. Wanna envisions a real home that contributes one of added value that gives youth greater possibilities and chances at life, a chance at harmonized living and a future to look forward to. Using the English language she wants to see their world expand. Through this tool she aims on combining cultural, social and recreational activities and eventually, to cultivate outstanding talents that each youth may display.
The Cause
The benefit of this project is for Thai youths ages six until sixteen whose doors are closed, to a standard education, to flourish. This would be implemented through nurturing vehicles such as sports and education to schools and orphanages.
English lessons would be taught by Dutch students and volunteers, and could present specific and qualified recipients a fruitful challenge in the form of internship credit. Through the combination of soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, dance, visual art and cultural aspects, the objective is to utilize interactive learning to be most effective.
Sports lessons will be given by peer coordinators, volunteers and students from the Netherlands that are active in the areas of soccer, basketball, hockey and volleyball. We will offer these Western sports and various other past-times such as arts and crafts in Thailand being that these are not popular or familiar activities.
In addition to the sports activities mentioned, we will also offer a variety of cultural dance lessons.
Why do we want to begin with English lesson at such an early age? Children are more apt to learning languages from early on and this makes the implementation of this project so much more effective with regards to teaching English. We hope to combine an exemplary curriculum inclusive of sports and cultural activities to make it easier and entertaining for kids. This is in order to spark an enthusiasm within the youths.
Why do we offer activities such as sports and Western-influenced recreation? In most Western nations, like the Netherlands, pre-teens and younger, develop talents at a level that allow them to break-through faster and easier into the professional world. This grants them earlier possibilities of finding and securing work for themselves! In Holland, we have examples like Johan Cruiff College for Sports Education. This concept does not exist in Thailand! We offer these Western sports being that they are popular and know worldwide. Furthermore, young talents are constantly being scouted.
Why do we offer dance? Dance has grown substantially in popularity around the globe within the last year. Especially in relation to youth, media, pop culture. We have shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” that prove this is indeed an area open for development. Duplications of this show in other E.U. nations further this potential phenomenon! It is nonetheless, a great personality-shaper, self-disciplinary tool, healthy method of self-expression but also builds self-esteem.
Internship and volunteering
English language lessons would be implemented and taught by students attending selected colleges or universities with a focus in international sociology or relevant/related majors. This is inclusive of seriousness towards the Wanna-B effort. Initially, students would derive from the high school and university programs of the HvA institution. The students that follow coursework in: cultural/social work, teaching and learning development, English language and culture, sports and health, are indeed attractive applicants. Nonetheless, this is not necessarily the applicant Wanna-B may be in need of and all are open to apply regardless of your study focus, experience or professional background. Volunteers would have to display levels of high motivation and desire to do this kind of work. All applicants would have to be prepared to present proof of proper and valid documentation that may be requested of them. Wanna-B would facilitate and execute the process of all applicants prior to selection for an experience in Thailand.
What does the organization expect from students?
As interns, students must present a draft of a teaching and learning plan specific to their interests and also meeting the needs of the Wanna-B mission and goals. The plan must display the applicant’s interest in youth development and teaching English in a formal setting. It should be clearly visible that this individual possesses an open-minded and respectful approach towards Thai culture, be a proactive not reactive, and simply be passionate! The following traits are imperative: being able to work in a team atmosphere and being able to adjust to you social, geographical and contrasting environments of lifestyle.
Preferably Wanna-B is looking for students that are capable of teaching English in combination with either facilitating games, sports, computers or other hands-on skills that may be admirable to potential youths in Thailand.
What can students expect from us?
The organization offers the possibility for students to experience a hands-on internship in a foreign country, namely, Thailand. Furthermore, also granting applicants the chance to learn a new culture and language. Complimentary accommodations would be offered via Wanna-B. Students would have a versatile but realistic itinerary of self-learning, sightseeing, teambuilding while cultivating self-independence.
Contact information
For more information please feel free to mail:
Wanna-B Foundation
Linnaeuskade 29
1098BG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
