reviews

We are a place, that you love or hate.  

The first days or week can be a challenge. Mae Sot itself is a special place, which can be very spiritual or upsetting. It is not beaches and stereotypes, but Burmese migrant reality.
The founder of the project has started to work as a doctor again and doesn't live in the home anymore. Her sisters-in-law Dada and Podar run the project now on a day to day basis. Dada lives in the house with her husband and Podar comes several times a week for support. You are getting the real Burmese family experience, not watered down and buffered by a white face. Karen people can be very shy and might need a little time to warm up to you. They will also let you try their fishpaste and other not-for-everybody food, if you ask. Podar works in Borderline, you can see her there as well. Sabine does the fundraising and trouble shooting in the background and sees her kids privately.

These are our reviews over the years. Newest ones on top. Nothing is deleted. Of course not everybody has left a review on-line. We have a few written, very personal, accusing letters from volunteers, who didn't like it with us. We don't think it is good to put them on the internet. We also have sometimes very negative and disrupting experiences with volunteers, but don't write them angry letters and try to be polite and respectful. It always goes both ways. 

The volunteer with Sabine was my second volunteer through workaway, but the first which represented a challenge. Since I left their house I kept in contact to them. Sabine does a great job for those kids, and she has shown a big generosity and courage to make real a project none of the ones who visit them would be able to do. She cares for the kids and she has always a new idea to improve the conditions in which the kids live. She also contributes with other causes around. The kids are simply amazing. This is not a volunteer to go and 'chill out' in Thailand (read 'chill out' as drinking beer and enjoying the stereotypical facilities of the country), this a volunteer to understand an aspect of the social situation in the country, to wake up of absurd images of beaches and happy people and be overwhelmed by the other side of this part of the world. This is a volunteer to love kids, to care for them, and to challenge yourself by trying to live as Thai/ Burmese people live. One of the most wonderful experiences. I can't forget of the kids and how much this represented to me, despite of conflicts I went through during my stay.
I truly recommend this volunteer to anyone with honest intentions of contributing with a beautiful project as a kid is. Cheers for Sabine and her great job. I will never forget you.

Sabine is great in being as innovative as possible to improve the kids surroundings and she works tireless to keep improving the the orphanage.shes so dedicated not only to her own project but also with other social causes. You can definitely learn a lot from Conversation - I certainly have. The orphanage is nothing like you would be used to back home and anybody coming here should be aware that you have responsebilties - but also a lot of freedom to be innovative in how you can help.the kids themselves will welcome you with open arms and it's easy to enjoy their company wherever you go.All in all its a great place to volounteer and Im thankful to Sabine for so many things.

Volunteering at this orphanage was one of my most memorable experiences in Thailand. There's lots to do with the kids from playing in the surrounding fields, teaching them, reading with them(which they love to do), helping with their daily chores etc. You get to form bonds and a relationship with each one of them which is the most humbling experience. Apart from the kids, you also have chores yourself such as helping with construction, baking, feeding the animals etc. Sabine is very lovely, and easy going as she is open to many ideas me and fellow volunteers proposed. The food is home cooked Thai-Burmese cuisine which i thoroughly enjoyed. The accommodation is basic, and simply all you need to make it day to day. This orphanage is full of love and genuine happiness, it is an amazing opportunity and I would suggest and recommend it to anyone!

PS: We are not really an orphanage. We are basically a foster care family. We only have chicken now and not enough time to bake bread. This was the volunteer job, but we don't have continuously volunteers, that Dada buys now Burmese  bakery for the volunteers for breakfast. You are welcome to start it again. The kids also know how. 

I just wanted to thank you on welcoming Vicki and myself into your home with your family. Even though it has only been 8 days. It has been incredible to be a part of it and everyday has been one we won’t forget! The world you have created for your children is beautiful and they are definitely a lucky bunch. We’ll be sharing your project to others on our travels and also when we return home, to continue your networking and to inform people of what you are all about.  Our next Thailand visit will be sure to have a destination of Mae Sot, to the ‘Sabine family’ .We look forward to seeing updates on how everyone is doing on Facebook and we will also upload some pictures and videos we have taken!      Hayley and Vicki

This volunteering opportunity brought me to Thailand and was one of the best decisions i’ve made. The orphanage presents a wonderful atmosphere and many lovely smiling faces. The children are wonderful and very full or energy and the meals are lovely. The experience you will get here is not one you will ever forget, the children are ingrained in my heart and the kindness during our stay was overwhelming. The accommodation is very nice as well, takes some getting used to but anyone can easily adjust. The sunrise and sunsets are beautiful and being surrounded by nature and many animals in a special treat. I cannot say enough about the children, there is so much to do with each of them and so much to learn. I am grateful for this experience and feel that anyone would benefit from it. Thank you Sabine for this wonderful opportunity, i cant wait to watch this project grow.

The time spent here was well worth it. The experience is challenging but rewarding. Definitely would recommend staying here. The kids are all very sweet and Sabine gives a lot of room to work on different projects both with the kids and around the house depending on what you prefer.

I stayed one month in Mae Sot and came back for another week. It was such a great time. The kids are so nice and self-sufficient, openminded for all the different volunteers and it was great to watch after them while playing and talking with them. Sabine told us a lot about the circumstances in this area. I visited a human right organisation, the beautiful market in town with so different ethnic groups and cultures, and the wonderful natural surroundings. Great place to gain experience!

Amazing place filled with thee most incredible, adorable, loving kids in Thailand! The food is beautiful, and my fellow volunteers where people I will remain friends with for a long time! Thank you for the wonderful experience!

Great place to get a taste of a simpler life. Here you get to meet the greatest kids who are simply sweet and so clever. Sabine is doing an amazing job and is very helpfull. It was nice to learn about the Karen kulture and the food here is so good! Thank you for the great experience, best place so far on our 6 monts journey. we miss the kids and all the dogs already, if we come to Thailand again, we will make a visit.
All the best
Kasper & Charlotte

I had an amazing time volunteering here. The kids were great and it felt wonderful to just feel like part of the family. The meals were incredible traditional Burmese food. I am a vegetarian and there was always plenty to eat. Sabine is super helpful and knowledgeable. She was happy to help me arrange a day trip one of the days I was in Mae Sot. She also arranged for me to visit a neighboring school. I had such a good time I am currently planning my 2nd trip to visit Sabine and all the kids.

I enjoyed my stay vermy much! I had wonderful four weeks in the orphanage and came back for another week.
The kids are amazing and I enjoyed every day watching after the children, building different things, going to town and listening to Sabines experiences in Thailand. I felt very welcome and admire Sabine for her commitment and strenght!
I am grateful for this enrichment and experience

I felt very humbled to stay here and help. Sabine is an inspiration and the kids are beautiful, cheeky, caring, happy, noisy and just a tornado of fun! Rooms were far from luxury but it was a great experience and I was sad to leave. I also stayed with my 3 year old child who loved the kids and the ducks! The food was also amazing, thanks malar aye!

We spent one week in the Sabine's house with all the adorable children. It was a very good experience, totally immersed ourselves in the local culture. We spent really good time with the children. Don't hesitate to help in the daily tasks, like food, putting children to bed, pick up them at school...
We recommend this association to everybody who wishes discovering the birmese and thai culture. Thanks again to Sabine and her great family for these great moments.
Adrien and Yoko

We stayed a week in June 2013 in Sabine’s home and had a great experience. The volunteering is not really structured but there is always things to do if you ask. We helped remove a roof from the bike shed to put over the chicken coop and also decided to make a football goal for the kids out of the old wood and some netting which was appreciated. Apart from that you are kept busy enough running around after the 11 children!
They are all very likeable, confident and energetic children who made quite an impression on us in just a short time and we miss them all very much. Sabine is a great open minded host who is lovely to talk to and will let you borrow bikes to cycle the short distance into town. The other women who reside there, Puda and Malahi, also deserve a special mention for cooking delicious meals and helping out with the day to day running of the home.

What is unique about this experience is the insight you get into the situation in Burma as apart from the children’s heritage, Mae Sot itself is a very ethnically diverse town. It is the only place we found in Thailand that had a temple, mosque and church in the same small town.
Beware that when you first arrive it may seem a little chaotic with ducks, cats, dogs and children running around! However, as long as you can adapt it won’t take long to discover what wonderful work is being done here and what a warm home it is.

I spent a week with this organisation. It is really more like a huge home. The children are amazing. Full of energy and need to be watched most of the time. I was helping with plastering a new pond for the ducks. The lifestyle is very basic so be prepared for that. You also won't get much sleep if your room is up by the volunteer area. Although, the room is good, great big bed with a mossi net and fan. There isn't much pressure to work, so the best thing to do is ask or look around and muck in, there was always plenty of cleaning up after the kids. The food is excellent for the conditions. I was lucky enough to be there when they cooked a rooster and two ducks that were causing mischief. Thanks to Sabine for the opportunity and good luck for the future of the children.

We had a great time at Sabine and her children roots atmosphere very pleasant, comfortable room, good food and lovely children. Sabine is a very attentive and considerate. We hope to repeat the experience soon for longer. Ps: if you do not like chickens and ducks, forget it. Thank you Sabine and Malahi for these good things!