Thailand

Community Description
In the driest Northeastern region of Thailand, known as Isaan, is nestled a village named Lahokgrasang. This is rice farming territory and during the rainy season, the emerald fields stretch on for miles around. Thirty years ago, due to poor forestry practices, most of Thailand’s forests were cleared.

Isaan was especially deforested, despite villager protests against massive logging. Many of Lahokgrasang village’s 60 households were part of these protests, over the past 14 years growing from 38 to 138 members as the Kaokok Forest Conservation Group. Although many of their largest trees were taken, enough of the forest -- 1,080 acres -- was spared to continue today as Lahokgrasang Community Forest.

Throughout the years, villagers have maintained the forest, making sure it is protected from encroachment, erosion, and fires. Hundreds of community members each year – an average of 30-40 people every day – use the forest to collect food, such as multiple species of mushrooms and the edible dork ga jiao flower.

For jasmine rice farmers, who constitute the vast majority of community members, the forest provides a significant amount of food in addition to supporting wildlife, decreasing erosion and reducing global warming through removing carbon dioxide from the air.

The average Kaokok rice farmer earns a yearly income of 25,000 baht ($820 USD), making forest products an essential source of nutrition. Lahokgrasang forest managers are not the only people using the forest: hundreds of the surrounding villagers – a total population of 9,928 residents in the sub-district -- also come to the forest to learn and forage.

Since the group formed in 1997, the Forest Conservation Group has hosted 2,800 students and visitors to the Lahokgrasang Community Forest in an effort to teach the importance of ecological forest management and how communities can start their own community forests. 250 visitors have come to learn this year alone! However, the ability to host meetings, camps and tours is reaching its limit due to lack of bathroom and water facilities.

Without a bathroom, current events are limited to very short time frames, no more than a couple hours. With water faucets and bathrooms, meetings will extend throughout the entire day and multiple-day camps for children can be held to teach environmental stewardship and pass on local knowledge of medicinal and edible plants.

Project Description
Lahokgrasang village’s Forest Conservation Group will build a two-stall bathroom facility with water faucets at the entrance to the Lahokrasang Community Forest.

An open-air meeting hall “sala” was constructed in 2011 to host meetings and camps. The bathroom facilities will be constructed adjacent to this meeting sala on the western side.

Conservation Group members will do all the construction themselves within the one-month timeframe. Materials will be purchased from local sources where possible. Water hookups will be connected to a large earthen catchment for rainwater collection.

The bathroom structure will consist of a small rectangular building composed of 300 cement bricks. The cement structure will be divided by a bisecting wall into 2 separate stalls for each men and women. Each stall will be 1.5 meters by 0.75 meters, making the entire bathroom facility 3 m x 1.5 m, and 2 m tall. The completed cement brick structure will be covered in plaster and painted white. Corrugated metal will be used as roofing material.

The interior of the bathroom stalls will also be plaster over brick. A traditional “squat” toilet will be used in each, accompanied by a brick-and-plastered basin to hold water used for flushing with a bucket. This method of flushing is very common throughout Thailand, especially in the Isaan region.

Each of the two basins (one in each stall) will receive its water from two large earthen rainwater catchment jars. Rainwater will flow through plastic PVC piping from these 1,000-liter jars and be connected to the bathroom with faucets.

The bathroom will feature 3 faucets: one to fill each of the basins used for flushing, as well as one faucet on the exterior of the bathroom to be used for handwashing. This faucet will be placed at hand level. No sink will be necessary for this handwashing station.

Rainwater will be fed to the catchment jars by two 6-meter gutters attached to the metal roof of the Study Point “sala.” The rainwater will pass through mesh netting to filter out debris before entering the jars. This water will not be used for drinking but solely for flushing and hand-washing purposes.

Wastewater from flushing will be managed in the traditional Thai method but with an environmentally-friendly alteration. 200 cement bricks will be used to create an underground septic-like tank to hold wastewater and human wastes. This waste will be composted to safeguard the ecosystem of the forest. Twice or three times each year (as needed), the septic-like tank will be emptied and cleaned and the waste collected for composting at a composting site located just outside the community forest.

Project Impact
This project will benefit 720 people per year, including 340 food foragers, 80 conservation group members, and 300 study group members.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Kale Roberts

Comments
Through securing local food sources, training village youth on self-reliance and traditional wisdom, promoting sustainable forest management, and hosting important carbon sequestration data, Kaokok Forest Conservation Group continues to provide an innovative and dynamic fight against biodiversity loss and climate change while providing modest economic gains to hundreds of community members who directly benefit from the 1,080 hectares of teak, dipterocarp, butterflies, birds, streams and clay-rich red earth they have worked so hard to save.

Dollar Amount of Project
$526.00

Donations Collected to Date
$526.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has been fully funded through the generosity of Joe Nowak of Microfarm, Dassow, Germany.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Kale Roberts of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Kale and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.

Community Description
Ban Kadard Village is a small rural community which derives the majority of its income from farming (jasmine rice and cassava). Farming household incomes vary by amount of land held, but tend to rest in the 2,000 – 3,000 Baht/month (approximately $ 67 - $ 100).

Ban Kadard School is a public school in Ban Kadard Village. There are 408 students, kindergarten through 9th grade, who attend the school. Most children are raised by their grandparents or other older relatives, while parents and other family members work in larger metropolitan areas.

The students do not have facilities for washing hands or brushing their teeth after meals each day. It is a daily habit in Thai schools for the students to brush their teeth after lunch. Unfortunately, the only place for students at Ban Kadard School is to brush their teeth is in the gutter. Many of them don’t wash their hands throughout the day due to the lack of wash basins at school (they currently use plastic bowls for washing their hands after eating lunch).

Project Description
This project is for the construction of a handwashing station at the school for students to wash their hands and brush their teeth.

The station will be a 4 meter-long tiled sink with 26 spouts. It will be located next to the cafeteria so that the students will automatically brush their teeth and wash their hands every day after lunch.

The work will be done by the school’s handyman as well as 3 other community members.

The steps that will be followed to build the sink include getting the work space ready (clearing the area, cleaning, etc.), measuring the space for the sink, making the frame using cement, steel, wire, blocks, and PVC pipes, and laying the tiles and setting up the 26 faucets.

Project funds will be used for materials, including pipe, cement, plaster, steel, tiles, sand, and faucets, as well as lunch for the 4 construction workers for one week.

In order to further promote healthy habits, lessons on handwashing as well as dental hygiene will be incorporated and emphasized in the English class curriculum, and hygiene posters will be made.

Project Impact
All the students from kindergarten through 9th grade, 408 students, will have access to this handwashing station on a daily basis.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Melissa Brown

Comments
This project will improve the hygiene and dental health of the students by making it convenient for them to engage in good practices.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$555.00

Community Description
Ban Klang is one of the largest sub-districts in Thailand and is located in the district of Wang Thong in the province of Phitsanulok in the Lower North of Thailand. Ban Klang has 27 villages within a 326 square kilometer area with an approximate population of 20,000 people. The average household income ranges between 18,000 to 56,000 THB (600 - 1,800 USD) per year.

Geographically Ban Klang is located in the Nan Basin which is part of the Chao Phraya Watershed. It is a raised valley basin surrounded by tall rolling hills on almost every side.

The Ban Mai Chai Jayrin Day Care serves two communities: Ban Mai Chai Jayrin (population 680) and Ban Mai Chai Mongkhon (population 1079). The rural villages are considered low-income communities with an average income for households at 40,000 - 45,000 THB (1,300 - 1,500 USD) per year. The main source of employment for community members is farming the various crops in the area, which include rice, corn, rubber, and mangoes.

Like many rural Thai communities there is a deficit of jobs within the village forcing many parents to work in larger cities. This leaves a population of older community members caring for the children. This causes educational institutions in the area, such as the day care and schools, to provide not only formal education but also basic life skills lessons.

The water comes from an underground system that supports the entire village. In addition to the village groundwater they have a reserve water tank which is filled by the Local Administration Office with filtered water, as needed. Runoff water goes into a nearby agricultural field owned by the local administrative office and toilet waste water goes into underground concrete septic tanks.

Currently, there are no sinks, and the children use the same plastic buckets used for dish washing to wash their hands and brush their teeth.

The bathrooms are old, rundown, and mildewy from the constant rain leakage. The squat toilets are adult-sized which is difficult for small children to use appropriately.

Project Description
This project is to renovate the two existing bathrooms at the Ban Mai Chai Jayrin Day Care.

This will include the installation of 2 children-sized sit-down toilets and 2 shower heads.

In addition, 3 sinks will be installed along the outer wall of the day care for hand washing. The sinks will be hooked up to the existing water supply and installed at a lower level for children. The waste will be directed to the existing sewage system.

The sinks will be used for hand washing before and after every meal as well as for brushing teeth after each meal. Children will be also allowed to shower at the school because many homes in the surrounding villages do not have running water.

Ceramic flooring will be replaced, and galvanized roofing sheet will be attached to the roof to prevent rain water from leaking into the bathroom.

Project funds will be used to pay for labor and materials, including sink, toilets, shower heads, basins, hoses, and roofing sheets.

The Sub-District Administration Office (SAO) will administer the project, purchasing the materials and, hiring local labor for installation.

Project Impact
The project will have an immediate benefit for the 50 day care children and 2 teachers. In addition, an estimated 100 parents, teacher assistants, visitors, and future children attending the day care will benefit.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Steven May

Comments
The day care is often the first and only place children are exposed to essential life skills, including proper hygiene. Thus, renovating the bathrooms, installing the sinks, and including shower heads is extremely important and will make a lasting impact in the lives of the children.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has been fully funded through the generosity of Adrian and Kim Jacobs, of Myrtle Beach, SC, USA. The project is hereby designated the “Little Kimberly Jacobs Project”.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Steven May of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Steven and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.

Community Description
The Sakon Nakhon Province is located one hour south of the Laos Border. Geographically, Bua Sawang is located in North-Eastern Esan, which is the central Eastern region of Thailand. It is an arid region that is primarily flat rice fields, with poor soil.

Because of the arid conditions only one crop is raised per year. This is one of the poorest areas of Thailand, and the people have very limited resources.

The Ban Bua Yai Pre-school serves the community of Ban Bua Yai (population 680) and Ban Bua Noi (population 246). This community is located in the center of the sub-district and is a model for the other four pre-schools. The school serves the children and also serves as a meeting hall for the community.

The ground water, which the school currently uses for hand washing/toilet, is not safe for the children to drink. The latest water tests show E Coli and Cholera levels 276 percent higher than is acceptable for drinking. The village has received official notification from the sub-district office that the water supplied from the community well is non-potable and should not be used for drinking.

Rainwater runoff from the roof of the schoolhouse is captured and stored in vessels for use as drinking water for the school. However, the area can go months without rain, resulting in the water becoming stagnant and unhealthful.

Project Description
This project is for the installation of a water filtration unit at the Ban Bua Yai Pre-School.

The selected system, the Everpure H-1200 system, uses a micro filtration system and a bacteriostatic system, and is advertised to eliminate 99.9 % of microbial agents. It is widely used in the area, and recommended by local experts for its effectiveness.

In particular, it is designed to remove, lead, cysts (such as Giardia and Cryptospridim), bacteria, volatile organic chemicals, MTBE, chlorine, dirt, and cloudiness.

The system has a 1/2 gallon/minute flow rate and each filter can process 1000 gallon of water. The system is easy to maintain and the cartridges are easily replaced.

Under the direction of the Sub-District Administration Office (SAO) of Bua Sawang and Teacher Kanitta Sornwongsa, the system, piping, and fittings will be purchased locally using project funds. In addition, local labor will be hired for the installation.

The SAO will make up any differences in the budget with in-kind donations of labor.

Project Impact
This project will benefit 37 people (two teachers and 35 students) at the school, and 50 community members per month who come to the school for community meetings.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Greg Patterson

Comments
This project will help improve the general health of children, staff, and community members who use the school. The community, school, and local government office are committed the project, ensuring timely completion and sustainability.

Dollar Amount of Project
$465.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$465.00

Community Description
Wang Mai Dang village is one of the villages of the community of Sam Pee Nong located in Chantaburi, a Province in the Eastern region of Thailand. This community is approximately 100 kilometers from the Cambodian border.

The main source of income for the area is generated by rubber tree farming.

Village Wang Mai Dang consists of approximately 700 villagers but Wang Mai Dang Health Center supports the surrounding 6 villages. Approximately 4,000 people live in the health center’s catchment area.

Wang Mai Dang Health Center is run by 5 full time healthcare workers and treats an average of 200 villagers per week. In the past year, approximately 9,400 villagers have used the health centers services. The center also host many workshops and gatherings for the community.

The health center has two bathrooms. Both the bathrooms consist of squat toilets, which are difficult for the elderly and disabled patients to use.

Both bathrooms also lack a working sink, forcing the users to practice unhygienic practices of either not washing their hands or washing their hands using the same basin of water for flushing toilets.

Project Description
This project is to renovate the bathrooms at Wang Mai Dang Health Center. The improvements will include one flush toilet, two sinks, and a hand rail to provide support for elderly patients who need to use the facilities.

The health center has a reliable water source, and both bathrooms are connected to existing septic tanks.

The work will be done by the Sub-district Administrative Office’s contractor.

Project funds will be used to purchase all fixtures and materials.

Project Impact
This project benefits the 4,000 people who live in the catchment area.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Dominique Luong

Comments
This renovation will serve the thousands of people who visit the center each year. The new sinks will allow the patients and the health center workers to practice better hygiene. The new western toilet and hand rail will provide elderly patients and visitors the support they need when using the facilities.

As community members begin to practice better hygiene at the health center they will be able to use these skills daily at home.

Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00

Donations Collected to Date
$555.00 + additional amounts for future projects.

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 - This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Yennhi Luu, of Garden Grove, CA, USA, with additional amounts for future projects.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Dominique Luong of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Dominique and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.