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Tamek

KIND OF PROJECT: Forest preservation
villagers’ group support

PLACE/PROVINCE: Tamek, Trang, Southern Thailand

General information about Short Term Camps
 there will always be DaLaa Work Camp Coordinator accompanying volunteers
 besides the main project, there will be time for Thai language/culture and other activities
 volunteers have to be 18 years old or older
 living conditions will be in Thai style (willingness to adapt and enjoy simple conditions of living)
 participant is responsible for their own travel cost and all personal expenses during the free time
 participant is responsible for taking care of their own insurance
 no drugs are allowed in Thailand
 willingness to work and live together, make friends with local people and other volunteers
 info sheets with more detailed information are provided

SHORT DESCRIPTION
Since 2015, an active group of Tamek villagers, in the mountainous area of South Thailand (Trang
province) decided to gather and take a strong responsibility in the preservation of their rich forest
environment. They want to bring awareness both to locals and strangers concerning the importance of
water, forest, plants, animals…How to live in harmony all together. They created a center and organize
regular activities with villagers, volunteers from Thailand and abroad. Activities ranges from rivers small
dams to tree local species nursery, planting and collecting edible plants, field trip in the forest and also fun
activities with local kids and villagers. Bringing life to this center is already a step to forest preservation.

HISTORY and REASONS OF THE PROJECT
Tamek (ตะเหมก) is a Buddhist village consisting an estimate of 500 homes. It is quite isolated and situated
in Lamor sub-district of Nayong district, Trang province, around 11 kilometers away from the main road.
It’s an old (about 200 years) and isolated village, part of Bantad Mountain range (เทือกเขาบรรทัด). The
main occupation of villagers is farmer (rubber plantation, vegetables and fruits). It is surrounded by
tropical forest and part of a rich watershed with many small streams.
In 1972, the government declared this area a national park and since then tries to forbid the villagers to
live there and to use the natural resources, arguing that villagers are destroying the nature. (The same
government who allowed before some companies concessions to cut all the forest rich trees species to sell
abroad.) Since that time, the villagers need to fight against this decision and to prove they can live in
harmony with the forest, the nature and can take care of it. P Singh is the name of one of these very active
villagers. He joined many groups and organizations to protect the forest and the right of local people to stay
in their environment.
We learn to know P Singh in 2015 through our projects’ hosts meeting. He came with few other villagers to
ask us to join their new learning center. Since that time, we organized 5 workcamps already and it has been
a great motivation for both local people and volunteers. They do organize other workcamps with university
students clubs too. We believe this cooperation between the villagers and outsiders with the common aim
of harmony between man and the nature is beneficial for all participants and the environment.

AIMS of the PROJECT
 To support Tamek learning center

 To inspire and get inspired in preserving nature

 To involve participants in keeping alive Tamek community (especially with children)

 International culture exchange

WORK AND ACTIVITIES
During this work camp, volunteers will get a chance to join hands with the community members to
preserve nature, while they can learn about their way of living. During the weekends, we will be creating
activities and games with children and young people to open their views and let them learn about
international culture. We plan to adjust surrounding around the community learning center, continue the
edible garden and the tree nursery. We should be able to build a small stream dam to preserve humidity
and water even during the dry season. We plan also a trip to the forest to get in true contact with the
nature. We will organize home stay as well for 1 or 2 nights.
**Do not expect for a fixed schedule as the weather and locals way of doing cannot fit to this.
It’s recommended for participants to bring in some ideas for group activities to the work camp as you will
spend most of your stay with your volunteer friends. Activities can be card games, songs, shows, craft skill
sharing or anything that bring you guys together!

REQUIREMENTS
The volunteers should be ready to stay in a remote area, to adapt to the local conditions with only basic
facilities. There is no phone connection, neither Internet at the project place. Very few local people are able
to speak in English. Volunteers should be able to handle spontaneous working environment and constant
changes in the plans. The mentality and way of thinking is very different from the western world. There
will have activities with the children. To have responsibility for you, the kids and full involvement in
community matters is a must. For the 2 weeks, you will be leaded by a DaLaa member/staff who will help
to coordinate the project.

FOOD and ACCOMODATION
Volunteers will stay in a wooden hut lifted from ground on the border of the forest. It can accommodate 20
people where it is used to be everything from evening meeting to sleeping place. There are 3 bathrooms
close by with availability of electricity and water supply (pipe water from the mountain). Volunteers can
hang mosquito net up to the ceiling and look for their own cozy corners. There will be simple mats, pillow
and mosquito net. You will need to bring your sleeping bag and a small mattress. There are basic toilets and
showers and a kitchen where villagers will help the volunteers to cook. Local people eat rice (or noodles) 3
times a day with side dishes like curries, omelets, local leaves and vegetables. Volunteers will be welcome
to cook their own food using the ingredients available there. (No oven, only a gas and woks or pans).

PARTICIPATION FEE: 8,000 Baht per person