“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear;
knowing what must be done does away with fear.”
Rosa Parks
The Coffee Hostel, Omkoi, Chiang Mai, Thailand
On March 18th I moved from Chiang Mai to Omkoi. The move was not complicated because I didn't have much stuff to shift!
I've become associated with the Coffee Hostel, a small operation offering accommodation and a Christian environment for young Karen Hill Tribe children attending the local Omkoi High School. Without our place to stay most of the girls with us would otherwise be getting married right after graduating Primary School and starting families.
I'm living in a large wooden house close to the Hostel which has become a kind of annex to the hostel where I'm struggling to teach the children conversational English. Struggling because I'm not a trained or natural teacher and these kids are good!
I'm also involved in a building project and trying to raise the necessary funding. Please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I'll send you details of the project and how you can help us. Here is a link to our current progress update.
I'm quite certain that I'm getting way more from this experience than the kids! Victor and his wife, Aeta welcome anyone interested in what we are doing to visit and to stay with us at the Hostel. Just email me if you want to make a reservation. If you need "more substantial" living I can arrange a room for you at The Omkoi Resort one kilometre down the road from us. Gong is the owner and his wife Poli cooks a red chicken curry to die for!
The Coffee Hostel is the dream and brainchild of Joe Dee, owner and operator of Metal Drum Coffee. Email me if you are interested in buying top quality organic Arabica coffee beans grown in the Omkoi Mountains. All sales benefit the Hostel!
We can also arrange a visit to the coffee growing areas where you can learn how it's done and meet the growers. You'll quickly see that the costumes you see being worn by the Hill Tribe vendors at the Chiang Mai Night Market are what they wear in real life. It's a trip not to be missed but it's very much "local living" and what you pay goes to supporting us at the Hostel! Again, email me for details!
And a very special thanks from all of us at the hostel to Mike Davies for all his help, given selflessly and without asking!
If something pleases you or upsets you drop me an email - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Thanks to my brother Mike Stanley for the use of his domain to host my site. Mike is, amongst many other things, a plumber. You can find him here. He is also a musician and a really great guy with a heart of gold and is a very special person.
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