Description

This internship would involve working with the residents of our partner organization, Wildflower Home. Wildflower Home is a live in facility that takes in single mothers from the hill tribe areas in Northern Thailand. Your duties would include creating, developing and promoting handcrafted products with these young mothers to promote financial independence and self-confidence.

Volunteer areas:
Production: oversee daily production sessions from 1 PM to 4 PM; oversee quality of product; work with the women to develop new designs and continue producing beautiful handcrafted pieces and reinforce business skills principles (resource management, wasting materials, quality control); develop new products and brainstorming with the mothers, and teach them the necessary skills to create these products.

Marketing - Within Wildflower Home: oversee and develop basic business and marketing skills; facilitate weekly business meetings related to pertinent issues such as resource management, production goals, money management; develop methods to integrate the residents in the production and marketing process (may include training the staff and residents in necessary skills); contribute to the development of a curriculum to be used to assist in teaching business skills.

Marketing - Independent of Wildflower Home: develop online marketing through Wildflower website and 3rd party websites; create partnerships with local and international outlets for selling products (target social issue network); train the women to market their own products; develop an onsite shop to generate income at Wildflower Home; integrate the women into the marketing and money management aspect of income generation; target goals for funds produced through sales.

Highlights

The majority of the women living at Wildflower Home are from rural hill tribe villages. Upon becoming pregnant they either escaped abusive settings or were forced to leave their homes due to social taboos. As an intern in this position you would be working within a small organization whose sole purpose is to enhance the quality of life for these women and their children. You will be helping these young women acquire the necessary skills to become more financially independent and look forward to a promising future.

Qualifications

CCT welcomes service from all walks of life and levels of experience. No specific training is required but becoming acquainted with the issues pertaining to your placement prior to arrival in Chiang Mai is a highly recommended. If you have an interest or background in the following areas it is preferred:

Volunteers should be self-motivated, patient, team-oriented, compassionate, independent and respectful. Artistic leanings and creativity is a plus seeing as how part of the internship is creating and overseeing handcrafted products made by the women. Remember that the issues you will be dealing with can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Please be sure that you are up to the task.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Program fees vary depending on the length of your stay.

Program Fees Include:

Transportation - Whether you are arriving by bus, train or plane, PBen (Thailand's finest street navigator), will take you to and from your destination. You will also be driven to and from your placement organization and any other CCT event taking place.

Food - Cee, our live-in house mom, takes care of volunteers by cooking their meals daily. She makes delicious Thai meals with fresh, local ingredients, and can accommodate dietary restrictions.

Housing - You will be living in a shared accommodation Thai-style home, located near the city center in a safe and quiet neighbourhood. It is within walking distance of various markets, cafes, and Chiang Mai's active nightlife.

In-country orientation/Training - Upon arriving in Chiang Mai our in-country director will make sure that you have a thorough understanding of Thai culture and are set up to live comfortably for the duration of your stay. This includes assistance with getting a cellphone, or locating markets.

In-country staff support - You will have 24 hour in-country support, as it is part of our job to make sure you are enjoying your experience abroad.

Language instruction - Every volunteer is given three hours of Thai language instruction to help them better communicate during their placement.

Medical insurance - The basic plan we offer covers both medical and dental insurance but if you want a more comprehensive coverage (extending as far as theft/damage of personal property) you may inquire about our Gold Travel Health Insurance Plan.

Pre-departure orientation/Training - After paying your initial deposit fee, you will receive a orientation package that will better prepare you for living abroad. We are happy to answer any questions you have via email or Skype.

Registration fees - This includes all the preliminary work it takes to place you within your desired organization as well as all the preparatory paperwork and actions needed to get you settled, including written materials abroad and written materials pre-departure.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

One Week

Cultural Canvas Thailand's Mission Statement

To generate awareness and volunteer support of the current social issues facing Chiang Mai, Thailand. We promote equality, community interaction, and social change through artistic outreach and volunteer services in conjunction with local organizations. Cultural Canvas Thailand and our partner organizations focus on education and assistance in the following areas: people living with HIV/AIDS, refugees, impoverished ethnic minorities, former sex workers, mentally and physically disabled people, and single mothers.

Year Founded

2005