Preserving the culture of the hill tribes in Northern Thailand
       Chiang Rai Province          July 13 - July 26, 2009
       Chiang Rai Province          August 17 - August 30, 2009
                     Chiang Rai Province          September 14 - September 27, 2009
                     Chiang Rai Province          October 5 - October 18, 2009
                     Chiang Rai Province          November 9 - November 22, 2009
                     Chiang Rai Province          December 14 - December 27, 2009
                     Chiang Rai Province          January 11 - January 24, 2010
                     Chiang Rai Province          February 8 - February 21, 2010
                     Chiang Rai Province          March 8 - March 21, 2010
                     Chiang Rai Province          April 12 - April 25, 2010
                     Chiang Rai Province          May 10 - May 23, 2010

Volunteer project: The Akhas are part of the Golden Triangle hill-tribe cultures. Like in the neighbouring countries where they also live, they face in Thailand strong difficulties to be recognised and to value their particularities. The AFECT organisation contributes since 1981 to the defense of their rights, youth empowerment, elders support and cultural preservation and study. The volunteers will learn about their culture and problematic situation and contribute to AFECT projects and the daily life of the Akha villages.

The main objective of the project is cultural exchange between the volunteers and the local villagers but the participants of the project will also practically work in the communities doing different kinds of support and development works, like renovation of some community spaces or field works and farming with the villagers. The exact nature of the work will depend on the needs of the village at the time of the project.

Study theme: The volunteers will learn about the AFECT campaigns and discover the Akha culture, lifestyle, particularities and problematic situation in Thailand from the inside and from Akha people themselves. An introduction to Akha and Thai language is foreseen.

Special requirements: No special profile is required. Nature lovers, ethnology fans and human rights activists will be particularly interested in this project. Adaptability is required from the participants.

Language: English

Leisure time: The free time will be organised according to the weather and the actuality of the communities but in general it will be essentially spent in the community. The volunteers will have the chance to learn about Akha cuisine, massage and specific handicraft. They might have the opportunity to attend traditional Akha ceremonies and events (like the principal Harvest celebration in March). If the weather permits it, trekking in the hills can also be foreseen.

New years Eve, according to the Thai Buddhist calendar takes place in April. The volunteers in the April group will have the great chance to attend the ceremonies and festivities in the village with the local population.

Accommodation: The volunteers will be hosted by the villagers in the communities where they will work. The conditions will be the same as for the Akhas themselves: very basic compared to urban Thailand, but very authentic. Do not expect occidental luxuries in any case. Sleeping bags required.

Location: The project will be held in the Chiang Rai region (North-west Thailand) and the surrounding mountains all the way to the Golden Triangle borders, maybe one of the most beautiful locations in Thailand! The influence of the hill tribes and nearby Burma, Laos and China shapes the culture here.

Terminal: Bus and national plane: Chiang Rai

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7500 Thai Baht
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

          "First of all it was an incredible experience and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to do something meaningful and enjoyable. The Akha people are very intriguing and very kind. We spent our time in two different villages where we were treated with great respect and cared for as honorary guests.
Nevertheless the conditions were very simple, and I would not recommend this workcamp to anyone requiring "western" standard facilities or food. We ate many traditional Akha dishes which consisted of various vegetables and meats (both cooked and uncooked for the daring). We were lucky to take part in a festival that was occurring at one of the villages called the "swing festival". To prepare for this we helped the villagers collect trees from the jungle and then build a giant swing that we could all use, it was a lot of fun. Other projects we worked on included building a house and clearing a long road of foliage. The mountains surrounding Chiang Rai are beautiful, and our camp leader was very catering to all of our touristic needs (sightseeing and what not). The greatest aspect of the camp was living among the Akha people, sleeping and eating in their homes, and taking part in their customs and traditions."

Anthony P., Cadip volunteer 2006

 

Construction of community facilities and cultural exchange with the local people of Sing Buri
       Sing Buri Province          July 13 - July 26, 2009
                     Sing Buri Province          August 3 - August 16, 2009
                     Sing Buri Province          August 17 - August 30, 2009
                     Sing Buri Province          September 7 - September 20, 2009
                     Sing Buri Province          September 21 - October 4, 2009
                     Sing Buri Province          October 12 - October 25, 2009
                     Sing Buri Province          November 16 - November 29, 2009
                     Sing Buri Province          December 21, 2009 - January 3, 2010
                     Sing Buri Province          January 18 - January 31, 2010
                     Sing Buri Province          February 15 - February 28, 2010
                     Sing Buri Province          March 15 - March 28, 2010
                     Sing Buri Province          April 19 - May 2, 2010
                     Sing Buri Province          May 17 - May 30, 2010

Volunteer project: The Singburi projects are part of a larger campaign and efforts to stimulate rural development with the support of International Voluntary Service. We believe that the impact of the international volunteers in rural communities is an important stimulus to open minds and reduce prejudices. We work a lot with rural areas to transmit these values to the villagers.

The main objective of the international volunteer project is cultural exchange between the volunteers and the local villagers. The participants in the project will also practically work in the communities, getting involved in several kinds of support and development works, such as construction of a village house or a school, etc. The exact nature of the work will depend of the needs of the village at the time of the project.

Study theme: The volunteers will learn about the culture of rural Thailand in general and the traditions and specificity of the Central region. Thai language lessons will also be given to the volunteers.

Special requirements: No special profile is required for this project, but having experience in construction work will be appreciated. Nature lovers and ethnologists will particularly enjoy the project. Adaptability is required from the volunteers.

Language: English

Leisure time: The free time will be organised by the volunteers with the support of the group leader. The closest city is far but accessible. The region isn’t very tourist attractive as such but the nature is of extraordinary beauty: rice fields, temples and natural parks are all over the region.

Accommodation: The volunteers will be hosted by the villagers in the communities where they will work. Volunteers should bring their own sleeping bag.

Location: The project will be held in the Singburi region (Central Thailand). Sing Buri is 142 km north of Bangkok on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River. It was established in the year 1895 during the reign of King Rama V. The province currently occupies an area of 822 square kilometres. Singburi has many beautiful temples to visit.

Terminal: National airport: Bangkok. From Morchid bus station 2 hours.

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7500 Thai Baht
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
 

 

 

Teaching English in primary schools in Songkhla Province
       Songkhla Province          July 20 - August 2, 2009
       Songkhla Province          August 10 - August 23, 2009
                     Songkhla Province          September 7 - September 20, 2009
                     Songkhla Province          October 19 - November 1, 2009
                     Songkhla Province          November 23 - December 6, 2009
                     Songkhla Province          December 14 - December 27, 2009
                     Songkhla Province          January 4 - January 17, 2010
                     Songkhla Province          February 1 - February 14, 2010
                     Songkhla Province          March 22 - April 4, 2010
                     Songkhla Province          April 26 - May 9, 2010
                     Songkhla Province          May 24 - June 6, 2010

Volunteer project: The volunteer project will take place close to the city of Hat Yai, in the Songhkla province (Southern Thailand). Volunteers have contributed to the activities of several schools in the neighbourhood since 1998, particularly by holding lessons and activities in English for the children. The project this year is a continuation of these efforts.

The volunteers will run English workshops, games and educative activities in English
with the kids of several primary schools in the surroundings, using non-formal education techniques. During holidays, the volunteers will organize recreational and
educational activities in English such as English camp, English teaching for the
children of the neighbourhood or other schools in Songkhla which will take place in the
project base or other places around Songkhla province.

Study theme: The volunteers will be introduced to non-formal education techniques, intercultural learning and group dynamics in general, and in how it is specifically practiced in Thai schools.

Special requirements: Good level of English and the will to teach it to kids is necessary.

Language: English

Leisure time: The free time will be organized by the volunteers with the support of the group leader. The project base lies in a very peaceful and nice piece of nature, where the volunteers will be able to relax after the activities. The city of Hat Yai can be reached by public transport in about half an hour, and the coastal Songkla city and its Samila beach can be reached in about an hour and a half.

Accommodation: Dormitory-style accommodation. Basic but sufficient conditions. Vegetarian food only. Sleeping bags required.

Location: Khlong Hoi Khong district, Songkhla Province, South of Thailand. The city of Hat Yai, third biggest in the country, is in the very south of Thailand, about 1300 km south of Bangkok, 420 south of Phuket and 535 km north of Kuala Lumpur.
Songkhla is one of the southern provinces of Thailand. The name derives from its original Malay name Singgora (city of lions). This refers to a lion-shaped mountain near the city of Songkhla. In contrast to most other provinces, the capital Songkhla is not the largest city in the province. The much newer city of Hat Yai, with a population of 194,000, is twice as big as Songkhla. Both cities are part of Greater Hatyai-Songkhla Metropolitan Area. About a third of the population are Muslim, most of which are of Malay ancestry. The ethnic Thai and Chinese make up the remainder.

Terminal: Train, bus and national airport: Hat Yai; International airport: Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok or Phuket

Age range: 18 and over

Extra fee: 7500 Thai Baht
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.