I was looking for an opportunity to both enrich my understanding of the Karen community as well as make a difference for marginalised communities in Thailand and Karen Hilltribes Trust (KHT) seemed perfect. Volunteering before for effective charities who make real improvements to Karen communities in the south, I had no doubt that KHT similarly did so in Thailand’s north. These hopes were very much confirmed on my journey to Mae Salabb as a volunteer for KHT’s Water Project in July of this year, seeing KHT’s networks of pipes running into homes all across the village.

A typical day as a volunteer started with breakfast at 7.00am and immediately getting to work on either installing pipes throughout the village or working day-by-day to build two sterile tanks, to connect a water source high in the mountains to the rest of the village. Often other volunteers and I would get the amazing opportunity to teach basic Maths and English skills to younger students at the local school; also making deeper community connections.

KHT seeks to help. This is exactly what makes the organisation so unique, by living among the villagers and interacting with them on a daily basis, KHT volunteers make a difference to people’s lives directly independent of whether it furthers the goal of the specific project, enriching infinitely the impact that KHT can bring to marginalised communities like in Mae Salabb.

Overall, my experience as a volunteer at KHT was one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and I can’t help but to appreciate and thank the staff both in and outside Thailand in putting in the work to better the lives of the Karen in Northern Thailand. I cannot wait to volunteer next year, and I implore you to do so as well.