Openmind Projects
Openmindprojects SE Asia- Volunteering Abroad
| File:OMP logo.gif | |
| Founded | 2001 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Sven Mauleon |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Focus | Teaching English and IT (ICT) and conserve environment |
| Location | |
Area served | 4 countries |
| Method | Volunteering, e-Learning, educational and environmental projects |
Key people | Sven Mauleon(Founder, Co-director), Thaweesilp Lunchaiyapha(Co-director) |
| Website | OpenmindProjects |
OpenmindProjects(OMP) is a development aid organisation, with headquaters in Thailand. It runs educational projects throughout Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal. The main focus of the organisation is using information and communication technologies (ICT) for educational purpose in schools, orphanages, national parks and villages.
It was founded in the year 2001 by the Swedish management-consultant Sven Mauleon. Since then OMP has supported some 60 schools, orphanages, national parks and villages in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal. OpenmindProjects acts as a private aid organization focused on knowledge and environment conservation projects. Overseas volunteers are vital to support grass roots projects.
History
In 2001 OpenmindProjects, then called IT in Isan, pioneered computer training projects in poor Thai villages in an effort to see how the so called Digital Divide could be bridged. To give children and teenagers a chance to learn how to use computers and to learn other subjects with the help of computers. See http://www.ITinIsan.org
In 2002 OpenmindProjects introduced computer and Internet based learning to Thai villages, orphan homes and schools (where teachers and education material are scarce) to inspire students to use computers and Internet to learn English and other subjects. In 2002 OpenmindProjects started inviting volunteers to teach in remote villages, schools and orphan homes.
In 2004 OpenmindProjects started supporting responsible eco tourism and community development projects in Laos and Thailand, to help local people and to protect nature and wildlife. See http://www.trekkingcentrallaos.com
In fall of 2004 OpenmindProjects expanded to South Thailand, the Satun, Krabi and PangNga provinces. In December 2004 the first workshops with local schools, and national parks took place. On December 26 the tsunami hit these regions. OpenmindProjects was one of the first organizations whose volunteers helped local tsunami hit schools.
In 2007 OMP started supporting projects in Cambodia and Nepal. OpenmindProjects is a pioneer in arranging local teacher training workshops for Thai teachers together with international volunteers and in sending qualified volunteers to help teachers improving education at their own schools. It advocates team teaching as a way to improve English teaching at Thai schools.
In 2007 CNN chose Openmind Projects for their Be the Change Initiative. CNN selected volunteers in various countries to report on their experiences and recommends eight organizations worldwide to volunteer with. OpenmindProjects is one. See http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/africa/11/13/btc.ngos/index.html
In 2008 OpenmindProjects was invited as a finalist to the prestigious Stockholm Challenge in April, for its work on ICT for development.
Projects
Ecotourism and Wildlife Conservation
Eco and wildlife volunteers can go to projects in national parks and villages to teach English, create ecotourism information and help improve community-based ecotourism services. The eco volunteer explains the advantages of community-based ecotourism to the local community and provides ecotourism training to gain from ecotourism in the community. Most of the ecotourism revenue too often stays with travel agencies and tour operators.
Teaching English Overseas
Volunteers can teach English in Thailand, Laos and Nepal, at primary schools in villages that normally have 100 - 300 children who come from farmer and fishermen families.
Computer Training
Volunteers can teach computer and internet usage at temple or town schools, national paks and other eco projects.
Volunteer Summer Camp
OpenmindProjects offers a summer camp for Volunteers and local students in Northeast Thailand(Isan) and South Thailand (Krabi).