FAQs

What to I need to bring? What will be provided? What can I buy once I am there?

 

TO BRING LIST:

  • Sunscreen
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Washcloth and Quick Drying Travel Towel
  • Long clothing to protect from mosquitoes at night. Breathable fabric is good.
  • Malaria tablets if wanted. However, they can be bought cheaply from the local hospital (Doxycycline or Malarone)
  • A torch/flashlight/headlamp
  • If in rainy season, waterproof or quick dry clothing and rubber flipflops (canvas and tevas never quite dry out in the rainy season) (June – October)
  • Cash for your stay, American Express travelers cheques can be cashed at Siam Bank in Sangklaburi town but the ATM is unreliable (works 50 percent of the time).Bring enough to buy some snacks & other small things (cheap convenience stores are 20 mins walk and there is a Thursday early morning market 6am-11am within walking distance)
  • A small First Aid Kit, itch cream and plasters/bandages for blisters etc.
  • Wet Wipes
  • Sanitary Napkins or Tampons. ( Tampons can be difficult to buy in the area)
  • Specialty items such as tea tree oil is near to impossible to find in Thailand!

 

PROVIDED

 

  • Blankets and sleeping sheets (occasionally laundry is a bit behind, so you may want to bring one clean sheet to sleep on for Day 1)
  • Mosquito net
  • Fridge. The fridge in the volunteer house is currently not working.
  • Kettle.
  • Volunteer house has a western toilet and an eastern toilet, a cold shower and a warm shower.
  • Space to dry clothes.
  • Safe drinking water.
  • 3 cooked vegetarian meals a day.
  • Internet access. (Internet access is available in the office only, not the volunteer house)

 

CAN BE BOUGHT LOCALLY Or CAN BRING FROM HOME

 

  • Washing powder for clothes
  • Shower toiletries
  • Disposable cameras
  • Snacks & Beverages
  • Toilet Paper (good to arrive w/a roll or two)
  • Pack of Tissues

 

How much cash shall I bring?

We charge 250-500 baht ($7-$15; sliding scale, students on the lower end and working professionals on the upper end) per day for food and accommodation. We have recently increased the costs a bit to cover the increasing food costs - rice has tripled in cost in the last 2 months alone. You may want to bring money for your own supplies to buy from the local village (chocolate etc), which is within walking distance, or from Sangklaburi, but are unlikely to spent more than an additional 500 baht ($15) a week here.

 

If I want to bring stuff for the kids what shall I bring?

It’s not a good idea to bring toys, as there are over 50 kids here so it may cause arguments! School and art supplies (pens and pencils, paper, books etc), clothes and sports equipment (eg Soccer balls), however, would be appreciated by the children.  You can also refer to Dada’s Wish List.

 

 

What shouldn’t I bring to Baan Dada?

It wouldn’t be a good idea to bring Alcohol, drugs or meat to Baan Dada.

 

What’s the weather like?

There are three seasons, warm season from February till May , rainy season from the end of June till October and the ‘cool’ season which extends from November till January. From February till October the temperature averages at around 35°C but during the cool season it can reach as low as 10°C, so remember to bring layers. During rainy season there is frequent unpredictable rain.

 

Is there a dress code?

There is no enforced dress code. It is advised however to not wear anything too revealing.  Comfortable, practical clothes are best.

 

Is there internet access or cellphone service?

Yes there is phone service, and there are computers in the office with internet access (wired and wifi), but volunteers have to share them with the staff and the children.  There is also good mobile phone service in the area - you can either use your phone with your existing cell phone number or you can buy a Thai SIM card in Bangkok, at 7-11s or at a mobile phone store in Thailand to pop into your own phone.  Data services for many smart phones also work here, but check your phone carrier for roaming and international charges.

 

Is there a post office nearby?

Yes. There is a post office in Sangklaburi.

 

Do volunteers sleep in the same space as the children or separately?

It is not prohibited to sleep where the children sleep but it is not common.

 

 

What are volunteer conditions like?

There is one main volunteer house, as well as a traditional bamboo house, and a smaller house, that sleep a total of 20 volunteers in beds, one having a western toilet, and are situated 5 minutes walk from the main living area. There is a volunteer fridge, kettle and fans available and electrical plugs in rooms.

 

Do males and females sleep together?

There are no ‘rules’ for where to sleep in the volunteer house. It is completely up to the volunteers.

 

Will I share a room?

It depends on how many volunteers are staying at Baan Dada.

 

Does the volunteer house have electricity? Internet accsess?

There is electricity at the house but internet access does not reach there.

 

 

Will I be cooking my own food?

The ‘Mothers’ who live and work at Baan Dada  cook three vegetarian meals a day. They are reluctant to let you do the washing up too!

 

Will I be washing my own clothes?

Usually volunteers hand wash there own clothes at the volunteer house. There is plenty of space to dry clothes there. However there are washing machines at the homes which the Mothers use and can wash your clothes for a small donation.

 

 

What kind of food is provided?

All of the food cooked at Baan Dada is vegetarian. No eggs, onions or garlic are used in the food, however, sometimes treats’ such as Burmese tea leaf salad which contains garlic is bought from the market. Most volunteers comment on how great the food is.

 

Is the water safe to drink?

Yes safe drinking water is readily available.

 

Are there any medical risks?

It is recommended by doctors at the local hospital that you should use a anti-malarial prophylactic - Doxycyclin or Malarone is currently recommended. Please consult your physician for up to date advice. Notice this drug is readily available here for a fraction of the price you may pay in your home country

 

 

How long can I stay with a tourist visa?

Usually 30 days. It is up to the volunteer to organize their visa. Please check with the Thai embassy or consulate in your country before coming to Thailand.

 

Can I extend my visa once in Thailand?

Yes. It depends on what kind of visa you have. Sometimes you can pay for a visa extension at an immigration office in Thailand, other times you may have to exit and re enter Thailand.  Many volunteers opt to do this via Malaysia or Laos.

 

Is Baan Dada in a dangerous location?

No.

 

Am I expected to take part in any religious practice?

No.  There is regular meditation practice which is open to all but not at all compulsory.

 

 

Is there a Volunteer schedule?

No. There is no schedule which volunteers have to follow.

 

What will I be doing?

There are ongoing projects which volunteers can take part in, for example the construction of a new girl’s dormitory, construction of the third floor of the boys house, construction of the clinic. Teaching skills to the children and fundraising money for the home are always welcomed activities for volunteers to take part in. See ‘A Typical Day of a Volunteer’,also, you can also read about past experiences of volunteers in the Baan Dada Blog on www.baandada.org. However what you do is entirely up to you.

 

Do I have free time?

Yes. Volunteers are advised to take at least one day off every week, and are welcome to have time off during the day.

 

 

How many volunteers are there at one time?

This can differ from you being the only volunteer to being one of ten or more.

 

Is all of the work physical?

There is a lot of construction going on at any one time,however, there are also jobs which need little physical exertion.

 

 

Should I be able to speak Thai?

No. It is not necessary to speak Thai, Burmese, Karen or Mon. Both Dadas speak English. The children’s abilities to speak English range form very little to a good level of conversation English. Most of the younger children speak Karen amongst themselves, while the older children speak Thai. You won’t need to speak Thai to use the transportation to Baan Dada, however be patient if people cannot understand your pronunciation of place names.

 

 

How do I get to Baan Dada?

 

Transportation to Baan Dada

From Bangkok, you can use the Northern or Southern Bus terminal to reach Sangkhlaburi (a town 13 km from Baan Dada).

Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit):

1st class, 2nd class, a/c and non-a/c buses leave Mo Chit and go directly to Sangka Bus Station in Sangkhlaburi (6-8 hours). Last bus leaves at 12:30 pm.

 

Southern Bus Terminal (Sai Tai Mai):

1st class, 2nd class, a/c and non-a/c buses leave Sai Tai Mai for Kanchanaburi (2-3 hours). From Kanchanaburi, buses leave for Sangkhlaburi (3-6 hours). Last bus from Kanchanaburi to Sangkhlaburi leaves around 3:30 pm.  Take note that when you arrive in Kanchanaburi you may be pointed towards a ticket both across the street from the busues which provides tickets for minivans (more expensive). If you want to take a go to where the buses are.

 

Once in Sangkhlaburi

If arriving from the Northern Bus terminal, you will be dropped at Sangka Bus station. It is on one of the main roads of Sangkhlaburi. To get to Baan Dada, walk down the street (go NW, not SE – if you see a market on your right, you are going the wrong way) about 20 meters until you reach a T intersection. There should be a stand in front of you, and a big parking lot behind that. At the southern end of the parking lot, there should be a few green songthaews (covered pick-up trucks). Get on a Songthaew that is heading for Huay Ma Lai (the village where Baan Dada is located). There are no English signs, just walk up to the drivers or the people hanging out near the songthaews and say “Huay Ma Lai” or “Baan Dada.” All of the drivers know about Baan Dada and will know where to drop you. Huay Ma Lai is about 13 km from Sangkhlaburi and the songthaew ride is 40 baht.

 

If arriving from the Southern Bus Terminal, you will be dropped in a large parking lot. At the southern end of this parking lot, there should be a few green songthaews (covered pick-up trucks). Get on a Songthaew that is heading for Huay Ma Lai (the village where Baan Dada is located). There are no English signs, just walk up to the drivers or people hanging out near the songthaews and say “Huay Ma Lai” or “Baan Dada.” All of the drivers know about Baan Dada and will know where to drop you. Huay Ma Lai is about 13 km from Sangkhlaburi and the songthaew ride is 30 baht.

 

Alternatively, you could catch a ride on a motorbike or truck by the stand just outside the large parking lot and go to Baan Dada. It should cost around 120 baht per person.

 

The songthaews usually stop running around 5pm. If you arrive in Sangklaburi later than 5pm you will have to catch a motorbike.

 

Once in Huay Ma Lai

The songthaew driver may offer to drop you off at the orphanage; however, this is usually not the case. The songthaew should drop you at a crossroad bus stop with a small waiting stand on the right. You will be walking from this point. Take the right at the crossroads. The road is almost a dirt road (it once was paved). Walk about .5 kilometers, you will go up a hill, and then down it. Early into the walk there should be a small Christian foundation on your right. At the top of the hill there should be a clay and dirt quarry on your right, next to a rubber tree plantation. You will come to another crossroads intersection as you are going down the hill. Take a right. You will probably be able to hear/see Baan Dada at this point. It is about 20-30 meters down the road on the left.