Education Project Thailand – Update from Phuket
Phuket, One Year Later
When we started the first courses in Phuket about a year ago, we didn't know how the local families would react. Would they trust a Western-influenced educational approach? Would the children participate? The response has overwhelmed us: Today, over 30 children regularly attend our courses, and the waiting list is growing.
What We Offer in Phuket
The program in Phuket has three pillars:
- Russian courses for children: Many families in Phuket are Russian-speaking. Our courses help children preserve their parents' language and at the same time strengthen their identity.
- Humanistic pedagogical courses: Self-development, creativity, and social competence – in English and Russian, adapted to the local culture.
- Parent education: Workshops for parents who want to make their parenting more conscious.
Collaboration with Local Schools
An important milestone in the past year was the start of discussions with two local schools in Phuket. We offer workshops for teachers there and have begun to integrate individual humanistic pedagogical methods into regular teaching. This is a long road – but a promising one.
Challenges and Learnings
Not everything went smoothly. The cultural differences between the Swiss and Thai educational traditions are significant. In Thailand, respect for authority is deeply rooted – the humanistic pedagogical approach, which encourages children to self-reflect and engage in dialogue, takes time to be understood and accepted. We have learned to proceed more slowly, to listen more, and to view the local culture as a resource, not as an obstacle.
How You Can Support the Project
The education project in Thailand relies on donations. Every franc that flows into the project directly benefits the children and families on site. You can support the project through the Humanistic School's donation platform. We report regularly on the progress – transparently and comprehensibly.