Our Mission
We at Openmind Projects strive to allow disadvantaged young people in Southeast Asia to see all the possibilities in the world. We work with schools, governments and NGOs to introduce new skills and new career opportunities to our projects' participants. We accomplish this in a sustainable manner through collaborative learning, embracing the needs of a community of learners and promoting a volunteer and service ethos.
To help underprivileged kids in SE Asia to become lifelong learners through IT, English and global knowledge to improve their lives and have an impact on their communities. Our Vision A world of inspired learners helping themselves and their communities to break the poverty cycle.
www.openmindprojects.org
2288 Campers since 2007
2424 Volunteers since 2001
351 Trainees since 2006
61 Camps since 2007
Learning Camps OMP organizes learning camps where campers aged 13 to 18 learn IT, English and world knowledge to improve their critical thinking and confidence, and become lifelong learners. We motivate children to follow their dreams, have more opportunities, and break the poverty circle.
OMP Campers come mostly from our field projects and the schools we support. Some come on recommendations by teachers, friends or previous campers. Our Campers set up a ‘We love Openmind Projects’ Facebook group on their own and some apply from there. Campers come from Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. Some are ethnic Karen, stateless, migrants and refugees.
Our Camps Follow Three Stages 1. Brainstorming Activity-based learning, focused on information to find, share and discuss about given camp themes. Campers research and learn about two specific topics (common camp themes are education through technology, environment, food and drinks and their effects on health).
2. Activating Working in teams to solve community problems related to the topics previously studied, they work on understanding the problem (cause - effect) and finding a feasible solution within their local context.Â
3. Implementing Teams work on solutions, evaluating pros, cons and possible difficulties, and prepare a final presentation where we encourage critical thinking and ask them to evaluate possible questions that other teams might have. At the end of the camp, they have the opportunity to challenge other teams with questions in order to win the possibility to execute their projects hand in hand with OMP.
We Are Proud Of Our Results
90% of campers improved their critical thinking
36% of campers improve their English level.
72% of campers say they have less uncertainty about future jobs.
13%
60%
of campers could define "Environment" at the beginning of the camp.
of campers could define "Environment" at the end of the camp.
After the camps
Our Campers' Thoughts
Khom Thai camper Akhom Lao camper "In school we follow the teacher and we follow the books in a passive way – In the OMP camps we learn how to use internet and we learn to be active learners."
"I now know what I want to do in my life and how I can use my abilities in my life for a better future. It made me be able to think for myself and also listen to what others think too. It made me to the guy I am today."
Wah Wah Burmese camper "The debates make me more confident. I learn English by searching, discussing, not by heart! First the volunteers teach me and then we have to search and find information and discuss with our friends before we present the information."
Camps Projects
Project Name: Our river, our life
Project Name: Improve future opportunities
Project Name: Learn more through internet
About the project: Â Create a campaign to clean the river and educate people about the implications of water pollution.
About the project: With social media, people who do not have a chance can find an alternative way to develop themselves. They can use social media to achieve professional careers in the future.
About the project: This project's goal was to explain to the campers that internet is not only an entertainment tool, but if it is used the right way it can be an infinite source of learning
Challenges: - Getting to know my strengths. - Realize about the lack of opportunities if we stay in the village.
Challenges: - Have a proper follow-up by the school administration. - Find different and interesting topics every week
Challenges: - Resistance to change. Â - Follow up and create awareness.
What Do You Receive As A Camp Sponsor? ● A camp with your name.
How Can You Help? For our Learning Camps, especially the Mobile Camps, the cost per camper is 125 USD to attend the 7-day camp (just 18 USD, per day). With 40 campers, direct and overhead costs total an average of 5,000 USD per camp. This includes: Funds to support final projects, food, accommodation, transportation from our center to remote areas, staff salaries, IT costs, supplies, volunteer recruitment, and designing and preparing for the camps. You can sponsor or cosponsor a camp, a camper or a volunteer.
● Your staff can attend a camp or our Center for free. ● Thank you video with a special section on our website. ● You will contribute to the development of the unprivileged and OMP. ● We are open to other options which you may suggest.
www.openmindprojects.org
Why Support OMP? ● Education and technology gives the disadvantaged the chance to become lifelong learners ● Promote diversity and crosscultural understanding ● Increase the value of your company ● 63% of employees feel more engaged working for a company that takes CSR seriously