This week, Grade 5 students from Wells Bang Na had the opportunity to volunteer with Bangkok Community Help’s water treatment project in Khlong Toei. Working alongside staff from BCH, as well as their partners from jBio, the students participated by treating water in the reservoir and handing out bottles of “EM Water” to local residents. This special mixture of microorganisms is administered regularly and reduces the levels of E. coli and coliform bacteria in the water.
Here at Wells Bang Na, taking meaningful action in the community is an essential part of our curriculum. This field trip was a powerful example of how the Primary Years Programme (PYP) allows students to connect their inquiries to real-world action. By stepping outside the school and actively engaging with communities in need, our students not only deepened their understanding of the issues faced by the Khlong Toei community but also developed empathy, problem-solving skills, and a sense of global responsibility.
Mr. Friso from Bangkok Community Help commented, “It is so important to get young people involved in community action. You all have the chance to go to a wonderful school like Wells and get a wonderful education. Now it is our responsibility to help the people around us, because we have been given the opportunities that allow us to do so.”
Nandu, who has been researching water and clean sanitation, was particularly excited to be part of this project.
“Obviously, as part of my research, I knew that there were slums and poor communities in Bangkok,” he reflected. “But I didn’t know about their water access or why it is like that. Today, I got to learn about the history of the community and why they don’t have clean water. And, most importantly, I got to make change and not just talk about it.”
Vince, who is inquiring into poverty in Thailand, added, “There are so many different aspects to living in poverty. I was surprised that the Khlong Toei community is built on the Port Authority’s land and the people don’t own it. I was also surprised at how fast fires can spread there. I was happy to help Bangkok Community Help because they are making a real difference.”
Throughout their day, the Grade 5s interacted with local residents with maturity and respect, using all of their Thai skills to support their volunteer work. We sincerely hope that today’s work inspires further projects, volunteering, and fundraising, and that these students help to shape a better future for the communities around them.
