Thailand Volunteerism: Rebuilding Schools in Koh Samui

Welcome to my

Koh Samui, Thailand school rebuilding

Fundraising Page!

 

MY STORY: I'm Christine Biala, and I'm currently an architecture student pursuing the field of architecture in its wide range of context: from contemporary to cultural. People say that when you reach 20, there are things that you'll realize which are different from what you used to. I realize that when I started college, I have always been in my own box doing self-centic things, even acads are self-centric when you say you work hard because your parents worked hard to pay for it, but at the end of the day, it's for your own good. At 20, I realized that I needed to step out of that box and think of greater good (sure the ones for your own good are great, thus the ones for the sake of others are greater). Back in high school, I used to volunteer in different activities such as tree-planting and clean-up drives and adopt-a-child for a day. And in every effort I used to put in, it never fails to make me feel good by the end of the day.

This time, I wanted to be part of a change. As a future architect, what could be better than to build schools at volunteering programs like this, and help create a venue where kids can pursue their own dreams as well starting by having the quality education they can get in their childhood.

 

ABOUT THE PROGRAM: Starting July 13th, I will be going to Koh Samui, Thailand, which is a little far south of Bangkok, where I will be able to help repairing and rebuilding old and run-down schools for two weeks.

I'm choosing to invest my time and effort in this community in Thailand, because I believe in its strength of being able to educate Thai students, which, however, was hindered by some physical conditions such as that of classrooms and other parts of a school. I want to be a part of a global movement for positive change, and I believe that I can embody my efforts to the solution of some of the greatest issues facing our world.

But of course...

 

I NEED YOUR HELP. WILL YOU HELP ME GET THERE? I can't do this on my own. I'm most willing to volunteer in this program but the things I can offer are my time and energy, and my heart into commiting to this as well. I don't have enough resources though, and I'm hoping for your investment and make sure that every cent of your donation is accounted to the program. I will be most privileged to be part of this experience, being able to help our neighboring country address their needs and being able to bring the sense of community on a larger semi-continental scale.

As a future architect, I will be learning through this experience about construction methods in Thailand. As part of ASEAN country, I will be able to learn more of Thai culture.

 

WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY GO? The funds on this program account page, amounting to $3000, will cover the expenditures on the construction materials to be used in repairing schools. As a volunteer, part of it will be used to cover my costs involved with travelling, training, and living & working in my chosen placement, and proceeds to the program directly to the benefiting school.

Of course, I will make sure that the construction costs of the beneficiary school comes as my top priority on your donations.

 

AS MY 'THANK-YOU NOTE'... For you contribution is a big help in making a big difference to all the Thai kids who deserve quality education. As a form of gratitude, I would like to thank you with the following:

• $50.00+  Your name shall appear as sponsor in the shirt I will be using during the volunteering program so that I will never forget that you helped in bringing me there;
• $100.00+  Above, PLUS I will create at most 5 YouTube videos of my volunteer program, with all of these videos thanking you;
• $250.00+  Above, PLUS [#1:] I can recreate the design of the same shirt I used during the volunteer program in your size. OR  [#2:] I can send you photo cards of Koh Samui (the beautiful coast and other landmarks), the beneficiary school, and the children you will able to help; and
• $500.00+  All of the above, PLUS  3 packs of dried mangoes and 5 packs of durian candies and tarts contained in a box photo-printed with all the pictures taken during the volunteer program.
• Note: Please indicate your shipping address in the comment box during donation. Any personal information visible to me will be kept confidential. Thank you :)

 

I am asking you to make an investment - to invest in helping me to make a significant change in Thailand, and to invest in the community itself for long-term sustainable change. The return on your investment? Helping me to become the strongest force for positive social change as possible, and seeing an incredible community in Thailand reach its full potential.

I can envision a better world, and therefore I have a responsibility to create change to reach that vision.

So, will you invest?