COSA

Last Saturday was Community Outreach Day at Payap. The coordinator for the IC (International College) organized trips to all sorts of NGO's around Chaing Mai. About 60 international students signed up, and we all got to choose different organizations to work with. It was a great opportunity to get out and see parts of Chiang Mai that I didn't even know existed!

I chose to go to an organization called COSA, which is the Chilren's Organization of Southeast Asia. COSA's mission is to take in and take care of children who have somehow been affected by sex trafficking in Southeast Asia. Sex trafficking is a huge problem in this region of the world, and many children are left homeless and parent-less when their mothers are taken. Some of the children at COSA have been rescued from trafficking. There are many different 'safe houses' or sites around SE Asia, and we were sent to a home called Baan Yuu Suk.

The home is locate about 40 minutes outside the city in a small village surrounded by mountains and lush forests -- a beautiful setting for kids who need a whole lot of TLC. There are 16 kids who live at the complex, and Mickey (the director) hopes to have 30 children at the home by November. Mickey was born in Thailand but grew up in Fairfield, CT (right down the street from where my Aunt Nancy lives on the beach!). He and his wife have three young children and they set up Baan Yuu Suk a few years ago. They welcome volunteers and coordinators to facilitate all sorts of programs -- teaching English and Thai, arts and crafts, sexual assault counseling and awareness classes, support groups and counseling, cooking and baking, hiking and outdoor activities -- everything. There is a sustainable farm on the premises, as well as a mushroom hut where they grow and harvest their own mushrooms. Mickey told us that they can harvest up to a kilo per day! (We ate some for lunch and they were delicious!). They can grow all their own fruits and vegetables right there at the complex.

                 

A tour through the garden

There were about 10 students with me at the project, including a handful of Americans who study here as undergrads as well as a few new Thai friends. Our jobs for the day were to a. weed around the fence on the road and b. rebuild part of the fence that had been stolen. In order for COSA to keep their NGO classification as a shelter, it is required for the complex to be completely enclosed by a fence. The weeds growing around the fence on the road were pushing the slats apart, causing collapses in parts and generally weakening the enclosure. The most significant part of the day was rebuilding the part of the fence which had been stolen. Mickey told us that the previous section of fence was made of steel, which is a highly priced commodity here. One day they woke up and it was gone -- someone stole the 10 foot long steel barrier. We weeded most of the day and finally worked on the bamboo fence before we left.

 

Cutting down the bamboo shoots for the fence

Assembly Required

No knots, just twisted bamboo fibers

We also got some time to play with some of the children, as well as eat a delicious home cooked meal. They really took care of us!  A few of the students and I are trying to go back on the weekends because we had such a great time!

Lunch!

My Thai friend Pang playing with a very shy little girl!

Our whole group after a long day of work!

It was a really great day, and I am continuously thankful for all of the unique and special experiences to which I have access here!

Here's the link to COSA's website if you would like more information (or if you want to donate -- I can tell you first hand that your money goes to a GREAT cause!): COSA Baan Yuu Suk



P.S. I know I've been slow on the bloggin' recently, but I promise I'll fill you in this week! SO much to write about and literally not enough time in the day!!