R-OTEL: The population of Mae La, Thailand

The 50,000+ population of Mae La is complete with 40 schools, shops, churches, water & sewage systems, but the community is defined by poverty, lack of ambition, along with alcohol and drug problems. The camp's population is mainly made up of families of farmers and low-income workers, while religions are more or less evenly divided between Buddhists and Christians.

Although there are 40 schools, education for the massive amount of children is minimal. Most families living in the camp have between six and eight children. With water and rice rations provided by the Thai Burma Border, having many children is considered practical. This is the main reason the population has grown rapidly and now nearly a third of all residents are under the age of twelve.

There is one college in the camp. Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC) has operated for over 25 years. They currently have over 300 students in their twenties. The students have constructed many buildings (all by hand, from bamboo, wood, metal panels, etc), including dormitories, a cafeteria, and a large church. They have also learned to install electricity and fluorescent lights as well as plumbing systems that pump in rainwater stored outside in large basins.