Where we do it > Thailand/Burma

Facts & Figures Population: Thailand: 62.8 million; Burma: 42.3 million Capital city: Bangkok; Nay Pyi Taw GDP per capita: $8,677 and $1,027 HDI ranking: 78 and 132 out of 177 countries * Life expectancy: 71

Country background

VSO Thailand/Burma focuses on the rights of disadvantaged ethnic minorities, working with hill-tribe, migrant and refugee populations on the Thai-Burma border. It works in Education and in Participation and Governance.

Education is a fundamental human right, and one that enables women and men to realise other rights and to fulfil their potential. Many disadvantaged children on the Thai-Burma border have access to some form of schooling, but significant numbers are still excluded because of ethnicity, nationality, disability, gender, religion, and other factors. VSO is working with education providers and others to help realise every child’s right to education—i.e. Education for All.

The children of migrant workers from Burma represent one group that is particularly disadvantaged when it comes to education provision. While informal migrant schools have been established, they are not currently recognised by the Thai state despite its stated commitment to education for all. VSO is working with the Thai state and with migrant schools and their networks to promote a process of registering migrant schools as Learning Centres. This would open up the possibility of state support and the accreditation of the educational achievements of pupils, giving them a better chance to enter higher education or to secure a job.

Women and young people from ethnic minorities are often doubly disadvantaged, suffering the brunt of the social and economic problems resulting from the political situation in Burma and Thailand, yet under-represented in decision making structures within their own communities. VSO is working with ethnic women and youth groups to build the capacity of their representative organisations—small, community-based, membership organisations that are often run by volunteers from within the community. In addition, VSO is seeking to give these groups opportunities to work together in order to have a greater say in the decisions and processes that affect them.