Baan Kanchanapisek

(I can't pronounce it either)

I received my placement today and I will be spending, at least, the first six weeks of my time in Thailand in Baan Kanchanapisek, a male juvenile training center. I have the option of doing six weeks here and six weeks at another placement (grassroots community education and advocacy) , but I do not have to decide until I am there awhile.

This is the description I was given:
"Baan Kachanapisek receives male juveniles aged 7 - 24 from various detention centers through the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection. The main objective is to correct unacceptable behaviors of these youth through behavioral modification programs. With no coercion, youths can receive basic education and skill training in areas of their interests. Though Baan Kanchanapisek is one of the male juvenile detention centers, it operates differently from the rest. This home has an open door policy with no barbed wire fence or curfews. The boys are held responsible for the upkeep of the home they are in as well as sharing the responsibility of the grounds and facility.

Most of the activities in Baan Kanchanpisek would include ways and how to live sensibly and productively. They learn how to identify and analyze problems they have seen or read in the newspapers. Staff, social workers, and a psychologist always participate in any discussion activities with you. A basic computer literacy and conversational English programs are provided to interested youth."

This is going to be interesting....