Duration & Fees
| 6 weeks | £1,245 |
| 8 weeks | £1,445 |
Please note: The currency conversion is an estimate based on today's exchange rates and is to be used as a guide only. All payments to Amanzi Travel have to be made in Pounds Sterling (GBP)
Start Dates
Project Start Dates are on the first and third Mondays of each month. Volunteers are requested to arrive the Friday before the start of their project for their two day orientation.
Start Dates for 2020
6 Jan | 20 Jan | 3 Feb | 17 Feb | 2 Mar | 16 Mar | 4 May | 18 May | 1 Jun | 15 Jun | 6 Jul | 20 Jul | 3 Aug | 17 Aug | 7 Sep | 21 Sep | 5 Oct | 19 Oct | 2 Nov | 16 Nov | 7 Dec | 21 Dec
Note: Project closed for April
Payment
£180 deposit at time of booking – balance payment of project fee due 12 weeks before departure
What's Included
- Airport transfer on arrival (departure transfer can be arranged through project staff on the ground - approx 5 USD)
- Accommodation in dedicated volunteer house in shared rooms
- Breakfast everyday and lunch every working day
- Assistance from onsite project co-ordinator
- Two day orientation programme includng half-day city tour, cultural dinner and show
What's not included
- International flights to and from Thailand
- Visas if required
- Medical Insurance to include cover for repatriation
- Cost of CRB check
- Transport to and from project site and accommodation (approx 2 USD per day)
- Dinner each day and lunch at weekends
- Any optional activities
Highlights
- Volunteer in one of the largest children’s homes in the region.
- Have a positive impact on the lives of these wonderful children who have not had a great start in life.
- Make lasting friendships with the children, staff and other volunteers from all over the world.
- Live and work in beautiful rural Thailand.
- Spend weekends relaxing and exploring the vibrant City of Chiang Mai and surrounding area.
Thailand is a country with great appeal - with ancient capitals, forests, mountains and exciting festivals that are really captivating. Chiang Mai, in the north of the country, is one of the most popular cities for tourists from all over the world who come to take cookery or massage courses, to trek to the mountains or to visit remote hill tribes. Volunteers see a different side of Thailand, something that the average visitor misses altogether, and also have the satisfaction of knowing that they have changed lives in small but significant ways during their volunteer placement to this beautiful and exciting country.
Volunteers to this project can make a real contribution to the lives and futures of the boys and girls and the families that look after them in the home. The administration at the home is done by just a few families who work long hours and there often are not enough of them to look after all the children in their care, who are aged between four and eighteen years of age. Many of the children are orphans - either through illness or accidents - or perhaps have been abused or abandoned. Many come from ethnic minority villages that are at risk and others came following the problems in Myanmar. There is never enough money to employ the number of staff that are needed and the help given by the volunteers is always most welcome and so valuable to the children.
The main task for the volunteers is to spend time with the children and offer them care, support and time but we do ask volunteers to also help with all the needs of this community including helping to maintain the house - perhaps doing some painting, gardening or mending appliances and toys. By helping with these routine tasks the volunteers give the staff time to get on with their duties and spend one-to-one time with the children - and perhaps take a badly needed day off!
Children who have been abused or abandoned often suffer with their emotional development. They need to regain their confidence and the volunteers, by getting to know these young children and interacting with them in a positive way, play an essential and important role in helping with this. The children need to learn that they are valued for themselves and that their past misfortunes do not have to get in the way of their future development. Simply spending time with them - perhaps playing games, or just taking a walk in the grounds and talking to them, goes a long way in improving their self image and boosting their confidence. These children may have had to deal with death, abuse, abandonment or illness and just need extra love, care and friendship which will have a lasting effect on them. Volunteers can help to generate good memories that will remain with the children for the rest of their lives.
Volunteers are welcome to join this project for periods from two weeks and the longer the time period spent volunteering, the more both children and volunteers will gain from the project. Volunteers will generally work Monday to Friday and have freetime at the weekends to explore the city and the surrounding areas.
No qualifications are necessary to join this project, but volunteers should be passionate about working with children, caring and willing to get involved in many aspects of daily life. A full two-day orientation programme is arranged for all volunteers and will include a half-day city tour, cultural dinner and show.
Thailand
Thailand overview
At the centre of Indochina, is the Kingdom of Thailand – as it officially known. Thailand nestles between Burma, Laos and Cambodia above and Malaysia below, with the Gulf of Thailand to the south and the Andaman Sea to the west.
Thailand’s second largest city of Chiang Mai is known as the Rose of the North and visitors can experience homestays in local villages, rural jungle treks and 13th century Buddhist temples. The islands on Thailand’s east coast consist of Koh Phangan, Koh Toa and Koh Samui, which are famous for Full Moon parties, diving and tourism respectively and of course white sandy beaches and coral reefs. While Koh Phi Phi was hit by the 2004 Tsunami, it is also the home of ‘The Beach’ and iconic limestone cliffs. Other synonymous activities with Thailand are Muay Thai boxing, Thai cooking courses, mountain climbing, elephant riding, river rafting, canopy walking, learning to dive and holistic retreats.
The capital city Bangkok is the country’s political, commercial and cultural hub, as well as being the gateway to Thailand for most travellers arriving by air. The city is a mixture of old and new, with high rise skyscrapers, old temples, the Royal palace, wide dominating motorways and little shops on street corners. The city is used as a hub to travel around the rest of the country and its many islands, as well as the surrounding countries. Thai people are, as throughout Asia, extremely warm and welcoming and cannot help but wear that huge Asian smile.
Highlights of country
- Includes jungles, mountains, islands and beaches
- Warm and friendly Thai people
- Learn to dive in Koh Tao
- Legendry Full Moon parties on Koh Phangan
- Easy access to other Asian countries for further travel
Climate
| Seasons | Max | Min |
|---|
| Summer |
38 °C |
230 °C |
| Winter |
28 °C |
22 °C |
Thailand has a tropical climate almost all year round. Southern Thailand has two seasons; the wet season and the dry season, which are the different on the east and west coasts. The east coast has rain between September and December, while the west has heavy storms from April through until October. The south of Thailand receives the most rain, with around 2,400 mm falling each year, which is 1,000 mm more than central and northern Thailand.
Northern Thailand’s seasons are more defined. Between November and May the weather is mostly dry, except for expected rain between February and March. From November to March, there are cooling breezes in northern Thailand while the temperatures rise between March and May.
Key Facts
Population – 66.80 million
Capital - Bangkok
Currency – Thai Baht (THB)
Official languages – Thai
Time difference – GMT + 6
Telephone - +66
There was always a baby or toddler who needed some special attention and the cuddles were a delight. The longer you volunteer there the more responsibility you can take in caring for the children.
Jo, New Zealand (Chiang Mai Children's Home)
I chose to volunteer at this project, because I wanted to give my time and attention to children and enjoy a cultural experience. I really love children and I believe they are our future.
Throughout my two weeks on the project, I learnt patience and observed the way children naturally are drawn to you, to play and receive affection. It was such a cultural experience, I learnt a lot from the house mother Yupee. I enjoyed watching and learning how she cooked and took care of the children. I enjoyed seeing how respectful and responsible the kids were throughout meal times. I loved playing with the children and teaching them new games, such as hopscotch.
It was great working alongside volunteers and discussing with volunteers on this and other projects, how their day was and the experiences they had, had. Listening and sharing stories was inspiring and I made great friendships.
The staff were so helpful and always there to help and care for us. Thank you very much! You made my experience a smooth and enjoyable one.
In conclusion I discovered a new passion or vocation for my future. I hope to continue to volunteer and possibly work for a volunteer organisation. I really loved Thailand, I enjoyed discovering the landscape, people and food. I hope to come back many times.
Carine, France (Chiang Mai Children's Home)
I found that volunteering at the Children’s Home project challenged me (in an emotional sense) but it was also hugely gratifying. I learned a lot about the children and about myself, for example, I learned that despite coming from a very different background from the children, I could teach them about my culture, and through that connection we shared fun and laughter every day. I felt a genuine friendship with them (as a group and on an individual basis) for the time that I was volunteering. My time at the Children’s Home gave me a unique experience whereby I could show love, friendship and companionship. In this way, my role in Thailand was markedly different than my previous work experience with children from the USA and UK.
Jacqueline, Scotland (Chiang Mai Children's Home)