The small seed of hope planted in Mae Sot
2024-12-24
2024 Mae Sot Refugee Second Emergency Relief Efforts in Thailand
In September 2024, JTS conducted its second relief effort in Mae Sot, Thailand, in collaboration with volunteers residing abroad. During this initiative, volunteer Eun-Joo Ahn shared her observations and experiences directly from the field. Eun-Joo’s heartfelt expression of gratitude in every moment left a deep and lasting impression on everyone involved.
Shall we follow Eun-Joo’s journey over the course of five days?

Day 1: Visit to Kwe Kwa Baung School, Packing Aid Supplies, and Meeting with Refugee Volunteers
On the morning of September 24, in Mae Sot, Thailand, volunteers from six countries—including the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea—gathered for the first time alongside JTS activists. Although they had introduced themselves and shared activity plans during online pre-training and preparation meetings, this was their first time meeting face-to-face.
On September 22, Eun-Joo Kim from Hong Kong and I arrived in Thailand and stayed at a hotel for a night. Early the next morning, we joined Jung-Hye Hong in Bangkok. The three of us boarded a bus to Mae Sot at 8 a.m. on September 23. After traveling north for over eight hours, we finally arrived in Mae Sot, located in northern Thailand, at 6:20 p.m.
Another team of six volunteers and activists departed Bangkok at 9 p.m. on September 23, traveling overnight by bus and arriving early the next morning. After having breakfast at the accommodation, everyone gathered in the lobby to introduce themselves and load relief supplies. Filled with excitement and passion, we headed to our first school.

Upon arriving at our first support location, Kwe Kwa Baung School, the first task was to move food supplies together with refugee volunteers and students.

Next, we officially introduced JTS and exchanged greetings. Thanks to a Myanmar refugee student who was quite fluent in Korean, communication went smoothly. We could also sense a warm familiarity with the Korean language and Korea from the 600 or so children at the school.
After the greetings, we toured the dormitories and school facilities that house about 300 male and female students. The rooms were crowded with belongings, making it hard to walk. The air inside felt stifling and uncomfortable. Overall, the conditions were poor. There wasn’t enough space for all the students, bathrooms had long waits, and the kitchens were difficult to keep clean. In classrooms, low walls separated students from different grades studying together. The school plans to move to a new location soon, and we hope it will be better.


Despite the difficult conditions, the children’s eyes were bright and clear. They greeted the volunteers with cheerful smiles on their faces. We had a joyful time singing the Korean song “Three Bears” and performing hand motions along with the children.
After lunch, we sorted and packed the school supply bundles. Although we communicated through translation, mixing English, Thai, Myanmar, and Korean, we could feel each other’s passion for supporting refugees during the next three days and four nights. Despite the scorching heat, where sweat poured down while standing still, everyone remained focused, and we worked together to finish packing the bundles quickly. Once the task was completed, the support items were neatly arranged in the space.

After tidying up, we sat down together and shared our thoughts. Although there was some initial awkwardness, it felt like we grew a bit closer through the packing process. It was a happy time for all of us, being together.
Day 2: Supporting for Divine Love, Love and Care, New Wave, and Light Learning Center
On the rainy morning of Day 2, we reaffirmed our commitment as volunteers by reading the “Volunteer’s Pledge” and “Volunteer’s Attitude.” This helped us refocus on the day’s activities.


At Divine Love School, we started with several fun activities in a small chapel-like space. We greeted the teachers and students before flying paper airplanes, performing “Three Bears,” kicking a Korean shuttlecock (Jegichagi), and playing jump rope and Tuho. The energy was high as we cheered for each other, and even the quieter younger students joined in, filling the room with happy sounds.

After distributing the school supply bags, the children gifted handmade bracelets to the volunteers. Touched to the point of tears, the volunteers conveyed their heartfelt thanks to the children. They had such a lively and fun time interacting with hundreds of children that they nearly forgot to bring the soccer ball intended for the next school.

Next, we arrived at Love and Care School. This school, supported by the international foundation Global Neighbors, had a spacious campus with well-maintained facilities. Over 200 students from grades 4 to 12 gathered in a large, clean auditorium to warmly welcome the volunteers. Since the students learned English as part of their curriculum, communication between the children and volunteers was active and enthusiastic. One girl, proficient in English, volunteered as an interpreter, greatly facilitating interactions.
After greeting the students with “Mingalaba!” in Myanmar, the volunteers performed the “Three Bears” song with accompanying gestures. The children’s cheers and requests led to us repeating the performance three times. In return, the older girls performed K-POP group 2NE1’s “I Am the Best,” while the younger children gave an adorable performance of “Banana Cha-Cha.” Seeing how deeply Korean culture has reached the hearts of children in refugee areas stirred an indescribable, moving emotion within us.

After we folded and flew paper airplanes together, we took a group photo and said goodbye to the children. In our meeting with the school staff, the teachers shared their challenges due to lower funding. They said this was partly because the school’s facilities are clean and well-maintained. Thankfully, some graduates have come back to teach at the school. They earn less money compared to other schools, but they want to support their alma mater. It was inspiring to see graduates, teachers, and parents working together to help the school.
After leaving the school, we had lunch at a Myanmar restaurant called Mingalaba. Despite the affordable prices, the meal included plenty of vegetables and a variety of dishes, making it one of the best meals everyone had enjoyed so far.
Following lunch, we arrived at the third school, New Wave School. JTS Director Park Young-Sook opened the visit with a greeting in Myanmar, which she had become familiar with over the past few days. This was followed by a brief introduction between the volunteers and the children. As there was no indoor gathering space, and with rain earlier in the day leaving puddles in the yard, we greeted the children outside and distributed backpacks filled with school supplies.

In the yard, we carried out games prepared by each team. Even younger children were eager to participate, forming long lines to join. Despite the blazing sunlight, volunteers enthusiastically cheered and actively engaged with the children, showing no hesitation.
Next, we arrived at Light Learning Center.
Although it was the end of the school day, the children gathered back in their classroom to meet us and join in singing and dancing to “Three Bears.” Despite the limited space, the children stood up and participated energetically, which was heartwarming to witness. After distributing all the backpacks containing school supplies, there was a concern that one child hadn’t received a bag. Upon checking, it turned out that a child not enrolled at the school had taken one. It was heartbreaking that we couldn’t provide an additional bag due to the limited number of supplies prepared.

After the event, we had a brief conversation with the female principal and the cook responsible for the children’s meals. The cook mentioned how challenging it has become to provide meals due to rising food costs but emphasized their commitment to ensuring the children receive at least one meal daily. Their dedication to doing their best for the children despite difficult circumstances was deeply moving.
Day 3: White School and Plato Camp (Refugee Village Near the Border)
On the third day, our first stop was White School.

This school had received backpacks filled with school supplies during the first round of aid, so this time, we provided snacks and food items. Since May, the number of students had increased by approximately 120, prompting the school to request additional backpacks.
Kindergarteners and first graders were seated on the floor without desks, studying in an overcrowded space where they were packed tightly together. The few wooden desks available were worn out, and proper chairs were lacking. Despite these challenging conditions, the children listened attentively to their teachers and studied diligently, which was truly admirable.
When we folded and flew paper airplanes together, the children’s bright and pure expressions were like a burst of light, making the moment even more beautiful.

The situation at White School was dire. The school could not pay salaries for its 13 teachers or afford electricity, forcing them to use firewood for cooking in the kitchen. Despite these hardships, they managed to provide the children with one meal a day. Seeing the teachers and adults strive to educate the children under such challenging conditions offered a glimmer of hope.
For our next stop, we planned to visit Plato Camp, a refugee village near the border, with the assistance of a coordinator from a partner organization. While waiting, we took a short break to explore a nearby small waterfall, enjoying a brief moment of tranquility.

After waiting for about three hours, we switched to two trucks to navigate the rough roads leading to the refugee camp, as regular vans couldn’t handle the terrain.

The camp is situated along a narrow river, directly facing the Thailand-Myanmar border. Many Myanmar refugees frequently cross the border, but this has led to Thai authorities routinely arresting them. As a result, the refugees live in constant fear of being deported.
When the unpaved road, eroded by rain, became impassable for the trucks, all the volunteers disembarked. They made their way through dense undergrowth on foot for about 10 minutes until they reached the refugee camp.

Deep in the forest, a few narrow houses made of loosely assembled wood came into view. Children sat on the dirt ground, playing marble games, while several homes showed damage from recent floods. Despite their hardships, the villagers warmly welcomed the volunteers and shared their struggles. It was a relief to hear that the children in the community were still pursuing their education amidst such challenging conditions.

Though not part of the original plan, the severe conditions of the village led to an on-site decision to provide support. Park Dongju and Shin Sujeong, along with local volunteers, quickly organized to visit a store in Mae Sot City. They purchased essential food items like rice, onions, and cooking oil for 47 households, along with school supplies such as pencils for 28 children and biscuits. Their quick decision-making and action were commendable, and it was a relief to be able to provide immediate assistance.

After completing the aid activities, the volunteers gathered at 5 PM for a final evaluation meeting before heading to their last dinner together. Due to their flight schedule, Kim Eunju from Hong Kong had to leave early to catch her bus and couldn’t finish her meal, while Ryu Yushin, who had a class schedule, also couldn’t join for dinner, leaving a bit of regret.
Despite the hectic schedule, the volunteers made the most of their time, utilizing the early mornings and late nights for their personal routines, managing their schedules with great precision. JTS’s Park Young-sook and Kim Yun-mi, after finishing their daily volunteer work, were constantly checking the next schedule and having meetings with local volunteers, leaving little time to relax together. Nevertheless, the time spent together was joyful, filled with encouragement and laughter.
On the final day, the remaining volunteers took the 8:20 AM bus from the Mae Sot bus terminal, embarking on a 9-hour journey, arriving in Bangkok after 6 PM. Thanks to volunteers Hwang Soyeon and Lee Haeri from Thailand, everyone made it safely back. The volunteers from the Philippines and China were dropped off at Suvarnabhumi Airport according to their flight times, and I, having planned to stay at Hong Jung-hye’s home for a night, was the last one to get off the bus.
“A big thanks to JTS for all the wonderful connections and experiences!”