After two years of virtual Project Hai Khun, the Skillseed team, together with Singapore Management University (SMU) students were excited to design and conduct in-person life skills workshops for BEAM students who are based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. BEAM Education Foundation (BEAM) -- Skillseed’s community partner, is a non-profit educational foundation that envisions people-oriented, peaceful, and developed communities in Myanmar and Thailand, sustained by empowering local communities through comprehensive and continuous access to education.
Over 10 service days in May 2023, two teams of SMU students conducted a series of workshops catered to the needs of the BEAM students. The SMU students share their reflections from Project Hai Khun III below.
Project Hai Khun III Team A
My experience in Project Hai Khun has been a fulfilling one; From the planning stage to the actual implementation of the project, Skillseed leveraged their expertise in overseas community service projects to guide and support us in designing workshops that sought to empower the BEAM students.
Prior to embarking on the project, I was filled with doubt about my ability to plan, let alone execute the workshops. However, my concerns were assuaged after attending the pre-equipping sessions with Skillseed. Skillseed assumed the role of a middleman, facilitating discussion between SMU students and BEAM. By conducting a survey amongst the BEAM students to better understand their needs, this gave us a clear direction of our workshops such that we could tailor our workshops to meet their expectations. These sessions also taught us about the nuances in cultural differences which proved useful in ensuring sensitivity towards the Burmese and Thai students during our engagements with them.
Team A’s group photo
SMU and BEAM students participating in a workshop, featuring Jing Rong
During the actual sessions with the BEAM students, I realised that community service was more than just teaching the BEAM students. In the process of imparting our knowledge, we were also learning from them about their culture. It was insightful to see individuals from vastly different walks of life. The stories they shared exhibit their resilience which I found truly admirable.
Although Project Hai Khun lasted a mere 2 weeks, the bonds that we forged with the BEAM students transcended our short stint at Chiang Mai and we are still in touch with some of the BEAM students. I am thoroughly grateful for this opportunity to form new friendships and learn from the BEAM students.
- Jing Rong Ng
Project Hai Khun III Team B
I had an incredibly fulfilling and enlightening experience working with BEAM and Skillseed in Project Hai Khun. Truth be told, I was initially apprehensive about the task since I had never engaged in overseas community projects before. However, with the guidance of Skillseed's facilitators and the warm, caring support of the BEAM facilitators and students, I managed to step out of my comfort zone and learn so much through Project Hai Khun.
During the pre-equipping sessions, Skillseed helped us gain a deeper understanding of our host community's situation, particularly their political circumstances, and encouraged us to approach them with empathy and understanding. These sessions prompted me to consider how we could create a welcoming and nurturing environment for the BEAM participants. Initially, we planned our workshops with the main purpose of providing them with as much knowledge as possible for their long-term benefit.
Subsequently, during the review sessions, Skillseed facilitators taught us how to design engaging and informative lessons for the BEAM students, offering valuable feedback to enhance our workshop delivery. These sessions boosted our confidence and ensured that we were well-prepared when we had to conduct the workshops.
Team B’s group photo
Si Yu during the Bonding (Cooking) session
As we began facilitating our workshops in Chiang Mai, we gradually realised that our purpose extended beyond equipping the BEAM students with knowledge for their future. We were also creating a safe and inclusive space that encouraged them to share their life experiences and connect with others in their community. During breaks, the BEAM students graciously shared their cultures and personal stories, from which I gained invaluable insights. Despite working late into the night to improve our workshop curriculum, we deeply appreciated the commitment of the BEAM students, who made a special effort to attend our workshops and provide feedback for our improvement. Throughout the project, the BEAM facilitators consistently supported and uplifted us, even in challenging conditions like hot weather and exhaustion. Looking back, the success of this project owes much to the facilitators and the active participation of the students.
Boarding the plane to return to Singapore was bittersweet for me, symbolising both the successful culmination of the nearly three-month-long project and bidding farewell to the friends we had made among the BEAM students and facilitators in Chiang Mai, despite staying connected through social media. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be part of Project Hai Khun, which not only allowed me to learn from the BEAM students but also to serve their community.
- Si Yu Tay
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