Study in Rural Thailand

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Program background

JVC has supported the rural people in north-eastern Thailand, having the local NGOs and People's Organiza-tions as the counterparts. NGOs and community-based organizations have been empowered and now manage their activities without the help of JVC. Currently, by utilizing the networks established through our network of support work, JVC is offering an internship program and study tours for Japanese people to consider topics such as "development" and "international cooperation" from the rural Thai perspective. Also, we are following up our Sumatra tsunami assistance.

Summary of activities

1. The Internship Program and Study Tour in Rural Thailand

For Japanese who are interested in international cooperation and environmental conservation, we are offering an internship program in which trainees stay in rural Thailand for about 11 months and study the effects of "development" and "international cooperation" that are often brought by foreign actors, and how they are understood by rural people. Also, we are offering short-term study tours.

2008 Annual Report

The Internship Program in Rural Thailand

In May 2008, JVC started an internship program with two participants. After of two-weeks training in Japan, participants participated in seven-weeks of training in Thailand. In July, JVC dispatched the par-ticipants to the villages in Khon Kaen and Karasin Province to learn the life cycle of people in rural Thailand. JVC provided some opportunities to visit places where NGOs were working.

The Study Tour

We offered study tours in August 2008 and March 2009 in areas of North-eastern Thailand. In total there were 19 Japanese participants.

2009 Annual Plan

We offered study tours in August 2008 and March 2009 in areas of North-eastern Thailand. In total there were 19 Japanese participants.

2. Follow-up of Sumatra Tsunami Assistance

The Sumatra tsunami that occurred in December of 2004 caused tremendous damage all over the Southeast Asia. JVC supported fishing families on a small-scale and foreign laborers living in southern Thailand until March of 2007. Even after the finalization of this assistance, we are periodically visiting the areas to follow-up on people's livelihoods.

2008 Annual Report

JVC visited the local NGO providing the medical assistance for foreign laborers in southern Thailand. It was found that their living conditions had not improved and the number of the laborers who need urgent care has not decreased. JVC decided to begin medical assistance for them.

2009 Annual Plan

JVC will provide the medical assistance for foreign laborers who need urgent medical care in the southern Thailand.