Numerous countries are in need for humanitarian help. Thailand is one of them. Located in South-East Asia, between Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar, the country is well known for its capital, Bankgkok, and its beaches such as Koh-Samui. The country is divided into a more developed south surrounding Bangkok and a north part which is characterized by mountains chains and poverty. Poverty and Education are recurrent problems developing countries are nowadays facing. Thus, there is room for humanitarian help.

4,017,103! This number represents the amount of illiterate persons in Thailand. Yes, this number is tremendous and represents more than 5% of the population but the implementation of a compulsory education system tends to reduce it. English has become one of the most important language for Thai people to unable them to pursue higher education and to develop their country outside their border. In addition, a lot of the country’s wealth come from tourism, which make them extremely dependent on it. However, some regions such as Nong Chang have difficulties teaching a suitable English. Therefore, Pieces (in cooperation with Jan & Oscar) has find the opportunity to implement a volunteering system trying to improve the English level in school located in remote areas. This system is sending volunteers from the University of St. Gallen to Nong Chang twice a year in order to teach English to students from 6 to 16 years old.

In Switzerland, we have the chance to receive an incredible education which teaches us strong values. These values, we believe, push us to act accordingly and help people which got less lucky; which might not be less smart but are just born in poverty! The Thailand project is, in this sense, really important as it provides English education to children which might latter help their country develop and reduce poverty. A famous sentence on a wall at the St. Gallen university states: “happiness is expensive”; volunteers all around the world would disagree with that. They will state that people in need give you everything when you come to help them, they breathe happiness, they are clueless and innocent. Isn’t it time that we give a bit back? That we help them?

Lots of ways exist to help others, lots of association, lots of actions, lots of funds levying, … Pieces is an association as others but being a student association requires found to pursue actions and to have a greater impact. Donators are the most important… without founds, any actions would not be possible. The Thailand project being made with a particularly present association in the county offers a big opportunity for donators which want to have an impact and help. Pieces sponsors housing and board in a local host family to, on the one hand, support locals and, on the other hand, ensure a high quality of teaching by being able to engage those volunteers with the highest qualifications and not those with the highest income. This volunteering is of primarily importance for Thai children as it provide them with proper contact to English accent and pronunciation which their English teacher cannot teach them.