Project Khon Kaen

Project Khon Kaen
(not currently running)

About.

Project Khon Kaen is a health expedition project run by HealthEx International in partnership with World Harvest Foundation. This project first started in 2011 and this year would be its ninth year running.

The team last year consisted of 22 medical student, 5 doctors from UK and Thailand as well as 8 translators and volunteers from World Harvest Foundation and they set out to serve the people of Khon Kaen in Northern Thailand, one of the impoverished and underdeveloped urban communities in the whole of Thailand.

The project lasted a total of 12 days and visited 4 villages and schools located there including the railway slum communities where the poorest members of society reside, often left abandoned and neglected. There was also a day of experiential learning where the members of the project were given the opportunities to plant crops in a field and experience the life of a farmer in Khon Kaen.

The Project.

What We Do
About the Team
Programme Details

What we do

Health screenings in primary schools

The team provided health screening for students from a total of 4 primary schools.
A general examination of their health was assessed and this included vision or hearing defects, dental issues, motor abnormalities, heart, lung or gastrointestinal problems. Problems which were specifically looked into included BMI, dental caries and visual acuity for which referrals would be given.

Pharmacy packing

Stock taking of the medications were carried out and the team organised the pharmacy to dispense medication.

Mobile clinics for the villagers

Mobile clinics were conducted for 2 villages and they were held in the communal village spaces. They saw approximately 70 people each day.

The team provided health checkups, medication and lifestyle advice for the villages. In addition, donated multivitamins and toothbrushes were distributed.

House visitations

The team which consisted of one senior clinical student, four pre-clinical students and a translator were led by a local health visitor to visit non-ambulatory patients.

Health education

Education of basic dental hygiene and hand washing

Taught useful first aid techniques such as CPR, burns management, Heimlich Manoeuvre and basic emergency management to older school children
Education regarding eye health
Education on leading a healthy lifestyle through nutrition and general lifestyle e.g. sleep

Basic English teaching

Participants helped with Non Thon School's English learning camp for a day

Experimental learning

Participants helped out at the WHF camp for half a day

ABout the team

The team consisted of around 22 medical students, 5 doctors from UK and Thailand as well as 8 translators and volunteers from World Harvest Foundation last year.

Programme details

Estimated Programme Dates
The project will run around end June - August 2019 this year.

Programme Sample
This was the programme for Project Khon Kaen in 2018. Activities can be subjected to change to suit the needs of the villagers.

Project Location
The project will be carried out in the surrounding villages of Khon Kaen, Thailand, namely Kham Bon, Non Thon and Nong Ben

Accommodations
The team lived at Hotel Piman, Khon Kaen, Thailand last year. This is subject to change.

Facilities

Shower heaters were available
WIFI was available

our partner ngo.

WORLD HARVEST FOUNDATION

Overview
World Harvest Foundation was founded in 2004. It is a nonprofit organization committed to aiding children at risk by working with their families to transform the communities in which they live. The Foundation sponsors projects that aim to break cycles of poverty through educational, capability development, family support and training, and social and spiritual programs. Led by directors, Dorothy and Mike Jason, World Harvest Foundation is presently based in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Vision Statement

To pioneer and promote, encourage and empower movements for unity and community transformation

Mission Statement

To synergize efforts among likeminded groups to touch and transform whole communities
To educate children at risk and strengthen families toward holistic transformation

For more information click below:

World Harvest Foundation

Reflections.

I feel like the whole experience has provided me with much exposure about the socioeconomic background and lifestyle of people living from other countries. It has also allowed me to understand that we are very privileged to come from Singapore and not to take things such as a good healthcare system, education and basic sanitation for granted."

Project Khon Kaen 2018 was an incredible experience for me in many ways. One of the aspects that really stood out to me about the whole trip was the enthusiasm with which the team worked throughout. It is easy to start off strong then have things taper off midway but this wasn't the case for my fellow teammates who were keen and focused from the early planning stages till the final day in Thailand. It was reassuring knowing that they would be ready to lend a helping hand or assist others in any way possible. I also appreciate how my teammates would not shirk away from less desirable tasks or roles because we shared a common goal and knew that it could only be achieved when everyone played their part, be it big or small. I really believe that the cohesion and cooperation was key to our trip being a smooth-sailing one throughout and this remains one of the highlights to me."