UWHS Rotaract's Service Project in Chiang Mai, Thailand

A group of Rotaract members will be traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand in July 2009 to provide able hands and supplies for the community at the McKean Rehabilitation Institute.

Medical services for patients with leprosy and physical disabilities

The McKean Institute provides medical assistance to leprosy patients and physically disabled, as well as providing support to integrate patients back into society. Patients can receive physical and occupational therapy, surgery, counseling, vocational training and socioeconomic assistance.

Patients gain economic skills and independence

The communities served by the McKean Institute learn to generate their own incomes and gain independence through gardening, nursery projects, and fine crafts.

How Rotaract can serve the community

The UWHS Rotaract club will be able to serve the hospital and its efforts by helping to paint, prepare natural compost pits, garden, farm, package crafts and teach English. Along with the work our group will be able to complete, we will also support the Institute by purchasing necessary medical or agricultural supplies.

This service project is intended to be a yearly sustainable project under the mentorship of B. Josephine Ensign, DrPH and Associate Professor in Department of Nursing at the University of Washington. In the past she has take groups of nursing students to Thailand and we hope to continue to grow and develop this service project in the upcoming years to include health related volunteer opportunities for our club members.

How do I participate in this Thailand Service Project?