Binsi - Building an alternative and democratic school in Thailand

Binsi - FilmsFarmSchool is a project that was founded by myself 10 years ago. The project aims to provide an opportunity for the local villages/communities to come together, learn, build relationships, develop skills, be creative, use their imagination, play, and explore different cultures. I have set up an ‘English Village’, where international volunteers come to stay on the land and teach English to both adults and children from the local community. Children also attend mainstream school; so we have been providing additional alternative education to the students. Everyone learns something from each other, including the volunteers. Locals also assist with teaching and translating during the lessons.

In alignment with the fast disruption and changing of media, climate, politics, and vulnerability of humankind, education is also evolving. Not only does the School provide advanced teaching in various segmentations and divisions of academics and text, but it also needs to offer opportunities to explore, experience, reflect, and bridge with what is true for each of us, and what is right and just for among of us and eco-environment and our globe.

Our vision and mission are to foster the learners to become creators & pioneers, rather than followers of social change & better world. Our learners are given the opportunity to experiment through different collaborative projects, professions, and passionate people with diverse cultures.

I bought a plot of land in a rural area; within nature and surrounded by wildlife and water. I did not have much money at the time but had a breadth of knowledge and experience which I was confident would support my family and me in the near future. This was the start of FilmsFarmSchool (SuanSilp Binsi).

Unfortunately, here in Lamphun, the local government school in the village closed around 3 years ago. Children now attend school further out. Furthermore, the community lacks spaces for children to be creative & learn. There is no library or spaces for children to play. There is a lack of public transport in the village. I recognize that these are national challenges faced in other parts of Thailand too.

I have travelled half of the world, and during this time I have visited 50 alternative schools; I have been reflecting on my time travelling, the work we have done at FilmsFarmSchool, and what we have achieved over the past 10 years. I think now is the time to open an alternative school of my own, to continue to support and empower the local community. My plan is to open a full-time alternative school to mainstream education, that is accessible to the local community. This will be a space for individuals to learn creatively in an environment surrounded by nature. The school will be open to everyone, and will especially benefit those who have struggled to fit in with mainstream education. The school will continue to provide opportunities for locals to teach & translate, whilst supporting volunteers who have travelled globally to teach English at the school. The school will be a place to learn from each other, build relationships and connections, and ultimately provide social empowerment to the local community. I want to continue to grow the project, firstly by finishing the building and then by opening the alternative school. But, we need some help to achieve this.

We currently have several projects we are working on here at FilmsFarmSchool. We need support from volunteers in the following areas: Teaching English, building work, fundraising, administration, web designing & business planning. We are keen for volunteers to stay for 3 months or more where possible, so they can build good relationships with me and the local community, become more familiar with the environment & become comfortable and confident in the roles taken on as volunteers.

In order to grow and sustain the project, we are looking at ways to raise funds to support the cost of the expansion. We need the donations to fund construction, building materials, furniture, learning materials, teachers and administration salaries and student scholarships. All things listed are needed to make the school the best place for the locals to achieve a better future.

Many locals are waiting to be enlisted in this school, and with your help they can start learning soon.

Thank you for your time and help.

Our social media :

https://www.instagram.com/binsi.thailand/ 

https://www.facebook.com/FilmsFarmSchool/

https://www.youtube.com/@binsi.thailand/

https://www.tiktok.com/@binsi.thailand