Graduation Date: December 2010
Degree(s): M.S. Earth Systems; B.S. Earth Systems
During her time at BGET, Visrin worked on an energy, water, and sanitation needs-assessment survey to determine the status of those needs in migrant schools around Mae Sot, Thailand. These schools serve to provide housing and education for students that have no Thai-government recognized status, most fled from Burma. Many of these schools lack reliable electricity sources, clean water, and latrines. Students in these migrant schools range from kinder garden to adult vocational schools. The survey results provide a basis for BGET and other organizations around the area to better distribute their efforts and resources and follow up on previous projects.
Visrin also worked on grant proposals for a solar home project that will provide affordable PV systems to remote communities and spent two weeks constructing a power line and building a new sustainability training center with engineering students from Mae La refugee camp. In addition, Visrin organized a potential partnership between BGET and Thailand’s Ministry of Energy for future renewable energy projects.
Read Visrin’s blog A Lesson on Determination from Mae La. Download the report Mae Sot Migrant Schools: Energy, Water, Cooking Fuel, and Sanitation Needs Assessment.
“I learned a lot about small scale energy projects. The cultural aspect of this Fellowship was just as valuable. To be able to experience and talk to others with lives so different such as those in refugee camps gives you another perspective in life. “
Visrin Vichit-Vadakan
“[Visrin] was highly skilled and experienced. She could adapt herself to the work environment quickly. Her experience working with Ministry of Energy in 2006 helped BGET to re-connect to the manager in the ministry and led to the potential collaboration in the future project.”
Salinee Tavaranan, Director
Border Green Energy Team