Acorn Overseas

Acorn Overseas is a charity founded by Natasha Whiting, the daughter of the headmaster. This organisation runs an orphanage in Mae Sot on the border of Thailand and Burma, and has grown to thirty eight orphans, from twenty three in 2008.

The following is a short account of a previous trip from one of the Upper School students:

“During our final year at The Acorn School, we, five eighteen year olds embarked upon a trip of a lifetime to Thailand. The aim of our trip was to experience a culture that was new to us, as well as volunteering in orphanages; shelters; a school for the blind; and on a tsunami relief site. We had an amazing trip and learnt so many life lessons; experiencing a diverse range of living within a new culture; from spending time in modern Bangkok to living in the north of Thailand on the Burmese border helping displaced children.

We came across many new challenges that required us to develop our confidence and made us grow as people. We had an experience of teaching young Thai students independently, worked with blind students, restored tsunami-damaged huts, and had a heart rendering experience in an Burmese refugee shelter in Mae Sot.

The main focus of our trip was working with the displaced orphans of Burma in Mae Sot. There were 22 (since grown to 38) children ranging from the age of one to fourteen, looked after by a young Burmese husband and wife. During our time with them, we worked to improve their sustainability by helping them set up a vegetable garden, and look after their own chickens and fish. We gave them our friendship and time, something that is very rare for them to receive. They were the most amazing, inspiring, people who do not have a lot in the world, but have an ability to give and share unconditionally.

We left Thailand with many memories, great new friends, and experiences that have opened our eyes to the wider world.”