News
Karma Projects website launch 25/12/2007
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Kieran from Karma is doing a Fellowship with microfinance innovators Kiva.org! Oct 2008
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Belinda from Australia is placed at Childlife through Karma Projects - Feb 2009
About Childlife
Childlife in its most basic form is a rescue centre for street children, located in Mae Sai, a small town in northern Thailand on the border with Myanmar (Burma). This area lies within what is known as the Golden Triangle, where Burma, Laos and China can all be seen bordering the Mekong River.
Childlife works as a rescue centre for street children, the majority of whom are from a Hill Tribe called Akha. The Akha originated in China and are now spread throughout the Golden Triangle area of SE Asia. The Akha are a unique culture who are easily recognisable with their brightly coloured handmade clothes and head gear. Many Akha villages have now become popular tourist attractions for backpackers in Northern Thailand.
In Burma the Akha are not recognised as Burmese citizens by the military government. They are deprived of an education and other human rights that we take for granted every day. The fallout of this is that many children from Akha villages try to escape into Thailand. However the often get stuck at the border where they live their lives as border children.
Childlife's mission is to help these children, who are very much at risk from child labour, human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. This is achieved by intercepting these children in the first instance, caring for them as a family would and more subtly by increasing awareness of their situation.
Childlife was set up in 1999, and has since grown hugely, with now over 140 children in its care.
Volunteering at Childlife
Working at Childlife is massively rewarding. There really are many different ways you can get involved! In the past we have had people teach the children some basic English, which is a lot of fun and not as daunting as you might think! You can organise different activities such as sports games or any random fun activity. If you would prefer to utilise other skills you might have then we are open to suggestions.
To find out more please contact us and we can send you the volunteer pack we have put together for Childlife. This includes the stories of past and current volunteers.
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Want to get started?
Go the Volunteer Now section to find out how
| Donation | For the record - we don't want your money and at no time will you have to give us any. However, we suggest that volunteers should make the effort to fundraise or self-fund a target donation of 300GBP . |
| Type of Work | Teaching English, life skills, arts and crafts, fundraising, taking the kids to school, organising sports and outdoor activities, working at CL's restaurant Nana Buffet, health and hygiene, researching the situation and surrounding issues . We welcome suggestions! |
| Length of Stay | One to three months (no prearranged visa required) |
| Start Dates | For you to decide |
| Getting Here | You book your own flights but we can recommend the cheapest routes and how to get from door to door if your feeling up for it - or we can try and arrange for someone to meet you at the airport |
| Accommodation | Very basic so don't expect any stars! Cost is covered for first month - accommodation is at Childlife's in-town place called Nana Buffet B&B - includes hot shower and breakfast |
| Transport | Not Included - Motorbike rental recommended |
| Skills Required | Patience, enthusiasm, initiative, communication skills, and a good heart! Above all, you must be open to new experiences! We want people who say 'I've never done this, let me give it a try' - not people who say 'I don't want to do that, this is not what I signed up for' |
| Working Hours | Flexible |
| Requirements | Completed Application Form , copy of your CV, Criminal Records Bureau check, scanned copy of the photo page of your passport |
| Police Check | This is a legal requirement for working with children |
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The Nana Buffet